Current Newsletter - November 2025
Newsletter
Dutch-Flemish Society for Music Theory
November 2025
Dutch-Flemish Society for Music Theory
November 2025
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Music Theorist in Residence 2025
From 27 to 31 October, we welcomed British musicologist and academic Michael Spitzer as Music Theorist in Residence. On Monday and Tuesday, Spitzer gave lectures and workshops at KU Leuven, followed by a similar programme on Thursday and Friday at the University of Amsterdam and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. The lectures and workshops focused on the relationship between music and emotion. Spitzer demonstrated his analytical approach using various pieces of music, including works by Bruckner and Bach. The subject led to interesting discussions that continued long after the sessions.
“For the first two days of his residency, Michael Spitzer was guest in Leuven. His workshops with the students and his lecture for the entire musicology department were very well received, especially given Spitzer's unique and ‘emotional’ approach to music analysis. Even if you didn't always agree with a specific analytical point, you couldn't help but admire how someone could examine emotions in the notes so seriously. He is an ‘anti-Hanslick’ formalist!"
John Koslovsky
“The visit from the MTiR created an opportunity to reflect extensively on the important theme of ‘emotion in music’ and whether and how we (can) address that topic in our own practice.”
Barbara Bleij
“It was a privilege to teach at Leuven and Amsterdam, and I had a wonderful time. I congratulate students and staff for their openness to new ideas, and for the passion with which they threw themselves into debate. There is no doubt that in Belgium and the Netherlands, music theory is a living force.”
Michael Spitzer
We can look back on a successful edition with a good attendance. These meetings always provide a great opportunity to gain new inspiration in music theory and to catch up with fellow theorists and members of the society. On behalf of the board, we would like to thank all those present for their attendance and involvement!
Online evenings
In addition to the opportunity to present at a conference or study day, VvM members can also give a lecture at our online evenings. This could be a presentation of ongoing or completed research, pedagogical insights from teaching practice, or another music theory topic. Those interested can contact the secretary, Ralf Pisters, to schedule a suitable date.
FUTURE EVENTS
VvM symposium and international conference: 5-8 March 2026, Royal Conservatoire in The Hague
The upcoming VvM theory conference, entitled “Music Theory and Education through the Ages”, is getting closer. We are delighted to welcome Dr Michelle Phillips from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester as our keynote speaker. More information about Michelle Phillips can be found via this link: Michelle Phillips - Royal Northern College of Music.
The call for papers for the conference is now closed and the reading committee has started assessing the submissions. Submitters will be notified of the outcome and whether they may present at the conference by 1 January 2026 at the latest.
Prior to the conference, which will take place on 7 and 8 March, a symposium will be organised on 5 and 6 March for VvM members and colleagues from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. VvM members who wish to present their (ongoing) work, give a workshop or share an aspect of their teaching practice during this symposium can submit a title and abstract to Ralf Pisters ([email protected]) by 15 January 2026 at the latest.
European Music Analysis Conference (EuroMAC): 7-10 september 2026
The call for papers for EuroMAC 2026 is officially open since 3 November. Submissions can be made until 5 January 2026. Important information, including dates and guidelines for submission, can be found on the EuroMAC11 website.
From 27 to 31 October, we welcomed British musicologist and academic Michael Spitzer as Music Theorist in Residence. On Monday and Tuesday, Spitzer gave lectures and workshops at KU Leuven, followed by a similar programme on Thursday and Friday at the University of Amsterdam and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. The lectures and workshops focused on the relationship between music and emotion. Spitzer demonstrated his analytical approach using various pieces of music, including works by Bruckner and Bach. The subject led to interesting discussions that continued long after the sessions.
“For the first two days of his residency, Michael Spitzer was guest in Leuven. His workshops with the students and his lecture for the entire musicology department were very well received, especially given Spitzer's unique and ‘emotional’ approach to music analysis. Even if you didn't always agree with a specific analytical point, you couldn't help but admire how someone could examine emotions in the notes so seriously. He is an ‘anti-Hanslick’ formalist!"
John Koslovsky
“The visit from the MTiR created an opportunity to reflect extensively on the important theme of ‘emotion in music’ and whether and how we (can) address that topic in our own practice.”
Barbara Bleij
“It was a privilege to teach at Leuven and Amsterdam, and I had a wonderful time. I congratulate students and staff for their openness to new ideas, and for the passion with which they threw themselves into debate. There is no doubt that in Belgium and the Netherlands, music theory is a living force.”
Michael Spitzer
We can look back on a successful edition with a good attendance. These meetings always provide a great opportunity to gain new inspiration in music theory and to catch up with fellow theorists and members of the society. On behalf of the board, we would like to thank all those present for their attendance and involvement!
Online evenings
In addition to the opportunity to present at a conference or study day, VvM members can also give a lecture at our online evenings. This could be a presentation of ongoing or completed research, pedagogical insights from teaching practice, or another music theory topic. Those interested can contact the secretary, Ralf Pisters, to schedule a suitable date.
FUTURE EVENTS
VvM symposium and international conference: 5-8 March 2026, Royal Conservatoire in The Hague
The upcoming VvM theory conference, entitled “Music Theory and Education through the Ages”, is getting closer. We are delighted to welcome Dr Michelle Phillips from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester as our keynote speaker. More information about Michelle Phillips can be found via this link: Michelle Phillips - Royal Northern College of Music.
The call for papers for the conference is now closed and the reading committee has started assessing the submissions. Submitters will be notified of the outcome and whether they may present at the conference by 1 January 2026 at the latest.
Prior to the conference, which will take place on 7 and 8 March, a symposium will be organised on 5 and 6 March for VvM members and colleagues from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. VvM members who wish to present their (ongoing) work, give a workshop or share an aspect of their teaching practice during this symposium can submit a title and abstract to Ralf Pisters ([email protected]) by 15 January 2026 at the latest.
European Music Analysis Conference (EuroMAC): 7-10 september 2026
The call for papers for EuroMAC 2026 is officially open since 3 November. Submissions can be made until 5 January 2026. Important information, including dates and guidelines for submission, can be found on the EuroMAC11 website.