southern plains chapter

The Southern Plains chapter of SEM holds an annual conference each spring (typically April). The conference rotates between host institutions within Texas and Oklahoma. This conference allows SEM-SP members to present some of their most recent work to colleagues in an environment that encourages feedback and interaction between presenters and attendees. A prize for exemplary work may be awarded to student presenters each year, depending on the quality of submissions for that year.

Proposers are encouraged to submit abstracts on any topic of ethnomusicological interest. Individual papers should be 20 minutes; papers that are part of roundtables should be 10 minutes to allow for more discussion. Those wishing to read papers, exhibit posters, or give presentations, workshops, or performances should send an abstract, following the suggested guidelines specified below. Those proposing panels or roundtables should submit an abstract for each panelist as well as for the session as a whole. All materials must arrive by February 1, 2012..

Call for proposals for the 2012 SEM Southern Plains Chapter Conference is below. SEMSP 2012 Program Chair is Barbara Rose Lange.

Call for papers and guidelines for submission of abstracts (English, Google doc)
Call for papers and guidelines for submission of abstracts (English, PDF)
Call for papers and guidelines for submission of abstracts (Spanish, Google doc)
Call for papers and guidelines for submission of abstracts (Spanish, PDF)

March 30 - April 1, 2012
University of Texas-Pan American
Edinburg, TX

Conference Program

Conference Registration

Directions to Conference Events

Hotel Information

Local Arrangements Committee

April 15-17, 2011
The University of Texas, Austin
Conference program 2011 (doc)

The conference was held jointly with the American Musicological Society, Southwest Chapter. Alongside panels and presentations was a screening of "This is a Music: Reclaiming an Untouchable Drum," a documentary written, directed and produced by Zoe Sherinian (University of Oklahoma). The video focused on the changing social and economic status of outcaste (Dalit) drummers in Tamil Nadu, India.

April 17, 2010
The University of Oklahoma, Norman
Conference program 2010 (PDF)

The keynote event of the third annual meeting of the SEMSP was a performance-lecture by the Muscogee (Creek) hymn singers of the Hutchee Chuppa Indian Baptist Church from Henryetta, Oklahoma.

April 17-19, 2009
The University of North Texas, Denton
Conference program 2009 (PDF)

A pre-conference party was held on Friday, 17th. Paper presentations were limited to Saturday, 18th. The conference keynote address was given by John Chernoff, perhaps best known for his African Rhythm and African Sensibility. The conference concluded with a UNT College of Music sponsored African Cultural Festival, led by Professor Gideon Alorwoyie. An SEM-SP after-party followed the festival.

April 19-20, 2008
Butler School of Music, The University of Texas at Austin
Conference program 2008 (PDF)

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