CfP: 4th Global Piano Roll Meeting (7.-9.8.2026, Stanford University) Deadline: 31.10.2025
The 4th Global Piano Roll Meeting (GPRM)
will take place at Stanford University, August 7–9, 2026. The program committee invites proposals for individual papers, organized sessions, lecture-recitals, panel discussions, posters, and performances.
This bi-annual meeting, which follows the 3rd meeting held in Sydney, Australia 2024, is an international forum that fosters community and supports inquiry among professionals, students, and enthusiasts working with paper rolls and pneumatic roll-playing instruments. GRPM is an initiative supported by Stanford University, University of Sydney, Faszinationpianola and Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB.
Music rolls and pneumatic instruments are a vital part of the history of recording and mechanical music. They provide a rich window into the technological, musical, cultural and economic history of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Recent projects to preserve rolls by scanning and digitization have sparked wider interest in the field. This work has allowed for technical studies of rolls, which are an early digital record of music making. Archival documents are also yielding insights into the business and technology of roll manufacturing.
The committee looks forward to receiving proposals that build upon and expand these areas of inquiry. Topics may include but are not limited to the historical study of piano and organ rolls, performers, audiences, and repertoires; pneumatic instruments; roll manufacturing; archival preservation and access; roll collections; performance studies; and performance practices.
The conference will be conducted in English.
Proposal Guidelines:
All proposal abstracts should be a maximum of 350 words plus a title.
Individual Papers. Presenters have up to 20 minutes to present their work, followed by 10 minutes for discussion. The Program Committee will compile individual papers into topically-based sessions.
Organized Sessions. Participants collaborate to propose a 90-minute session of three papers. Each paper is 20 minutes long, followed by 10 minutes for discussion. The session organizer is responsible for submitting a session abstract as well as individual paper abstracts. Proposals must also indicate a session chair.
Lecture-recitals. Presenters will have 30 minutes followed by 10 minutes for discussion. Proposals should include a description and a proposed program.
Performances. Performers will have 30 minutes. Proposals should include a description and a proposed program.
Panel discussions. Presenters will have 30 minutes and include a moderator with 2–3 participants.
Posters. Proposals should follow the guidelines for individual papers.
Proposals (including category) must be sent to daniel.allenbach[at]hkb[dot]bfh[dot]ch by 11:59pm, October 31, 2025 (at point of origin).
https://www.hkb-interpretation.ch/global-piano-roll-meeting
https://gprm.net/