"The Music of War: 1914–1918". 30–31 August 2014, British Library, London (CfP)

The connection between Music and Great War is a topic on which we have often discussed as a crucial feature in order to understand the psychological and cultural significance of WWI from the past till the present. We are pleased therefore to announce that an international conference in London will be devoted in August 2014 to the question.
The initiative supported by the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities aims to discuss all aspects of the musical activities during the First World War, gathering so scholars of different disciplines (history, musicology, anthropology, etc.) to investigate among other things how the Great War was translated and interpreted in the musical language and to discuss which role did it play for civilians and soldiers in boosting morale, in soothing the sorrow as part of collective rituals or in transmitting government propaganda.
Proposals for single papers or panels can be transmitted till 30 November 2013 by Email to themusicofwar@gmail.com
The Call for Papers below and further information can be found also here: www.themusicofwar.org

CALL FOR PAPERS: The Music of War: 1914–1918
30–31 August 2014
British Library, London

An international conference to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Held as part of the British Library's Centenary events programme, supported by The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities.
Papers are invited for a two-day conference on the theme of music during the First World War. The forthcoming centenary of the war is a timely opportunity to reconsider the fundamental role of music and musicians during the exceptional circumstances of the period 1914–1918. The conference aims to provide a forum for discussion to explore the roles and uses of music during this extended period of worldwide conflict, considering why—against a backdrop of large-scale death and destruction—music mattered, whether as weapon, tool, or emotional catalyst. We welcome papers from scholars working in any discipline and which engage with any aspect of music-making during the war, whether on the home or fighting fronts, or in combatant or non-combatant countries.

Themes for consideration include, but are not limited to:
Music-making on the home-fronts
Concert and theatrical life
Music and the military
Music and/as propaganda
Music and patriotism
National identities
Cultural transmission and international exchange
Music as entertainment
Music and charity
Music and its therapeutic uses
Composer responses to the war
Musicians' participation in the war
Music and commemoration
Intersections of music and other art forms

Proposals are invited for individual papers of 20 minutes, to be followed by 10 minutes of discussion. We also encourage submissions for themed panel sessions of three related papers.
Proposals consisting of a title, abstract (max. 300 words), and short biographical note, should be submitted by e-mail to the organising committee at themusicofwar@gmail.com by 30 November 2013. For panel sessions, please include a 250-word (max.) summary of the session and up to 300 words for each session participant. Please include contact details and institutional affiliation (if any), along with details of anticipated AV requirements. Proposals should be in English only. The conference language will be English.

Keynote speaker: 
Dr Kate McLoughlin (Birkbeck, London)
Other confirmed speakers:
Professor Rachel Cowgill (Cardiff University)
Professor Annette Becker (Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense)

Conference events: 
The conference runs in tandem with the British Library’s Centenary Exhibition and will include a concert of music from the years 1914–1918, and wine reception. Full details of these and other conference activities will be made available on the conference website www.themusicofwar.org in due course.

Conference Organisers:
Jane Angell (Royal Holloway)
Dr Rachel Moore (University of Oxford)

Programme Committee:
Jane Angell (Royal Holloway, University of London)
Dr Daniel Grimley (University of Oxford)
Professor Barbara Kelly (University of Keele)
Dr Stefan Manz (Aston University)
Dr Rachel Moore (University of Oxford)
Dr Rupert Ridgewell (British Library)
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS: 30 November 2013
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS NOTIFIED: 31 January 2014