Day of Iranian Music 2026 Call for Proposals
 

The UCLA Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music is pleased to invite proposals for the Day of Iranian Music, a one-day gathering that celebrates the diverse musical cultures of Iran and its diaspora. The event will take place on May 31, 2026, at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in Los Angeles and will bring together scholars, students, artists, and community members in conversation through research, performance, and shared listening.

Day of Iranian Music 2026 Program Committee invites participants to submit their strongest work on any topic related to Iranian music and its diasporas, and encourages creativity in both content and presentation format. We also welcome collaborative proposals from students, faculty, ensembles, and community organizations, as shared preparation often strengthens individual abstracts and leads to more cohesive sessions.

All abstract submitters are advised to read the submission requirements carefully. Please pay close attention to details such as the abstract word limit and the prohibition against naming session participants within the abstract. The deadline for online submission of all proposals is April 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST Proposals are invited in the following categories:
 

Single Paper

A 20-minute individual presentation followed by a 10-minute discussion.

Film/Video Presentation

A recently completed or in-progress film. The session should include a 20-minute excerpt along with a 10-minute introduction and/or discussion. Proposals should include the film title, year produced, total length, language/subtitles, a brief description, and information about the excerpt.

Performance or Lecture-Demonstration

A 60-minute presentation combining performance with explanation, or a live demonstration of musical practice.

Workshop

A 60-minute informal, hands-on session focused on a specific topic.

 

Organized Panel

An organized panel may run for either 90 or 120 minutes. A 90-minute panel generally includes three papers, while a 120-minute panel may include four papers or three papers plus a discussion. Each contribution should be 20 minutes long, followed by about 10 minutes for questions and broader discussion. The panel organizer is responsible for submitting the proposal. This should include a panel abstract that explains the session’s overall theme and rationale, along with individual abstracts for each paper. The panel abstract is especially important for the Program Committee’s review. Please do not include participant names in any abstracts.
 

​Submissions, Requirements, and Deadlines
Submission

To submit a proposal, visit the Iranshahr Orchestra website (iranshahrorchestra.org) and select the “Day of Iranian Music 2026” under the “Education” tab.
 

About Abstracts
Abstracts should clearly demonstrate:

• A focused topic or central question

• A coherent argument or approach

• Awareness of relevant prior research

• A statement on the broader significance of the work

Please follow these guidelines closely, along with any additional instructions on the submission portal. Abstracts for both Individual Presentations and Organized Sessions may include one URL at the end that links to a multimedia supplement directly related to the proposal (e.g., a video clip or other media). Although the Program Committee may not review the linked material, the URL will appear alongside the published abstract if the proposal is accepted.
 

All abstracts must meet the following requirements:

• The abstract must appear as one single paragraph.

• Abstracts over 250 words will be automatically disqualified.

• Abstracts that identify presenters, collaborators, or other participants will be automatically disqualified.

• Abstracts must be submitted online by April 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.
   

To avoid potential technical issues, we strongly recommend submitting proposals at least 24 hours before the deadline.

Notification of acceptance

Abstract submitters will receive notification of acceptance, along with conference information, by the end of April.

General Submission Questions
centerforiranianmusic@schoolofmusic.ucla.edu