Popular Music Theory and Analysis Summer School, IPM-SMA (University of Liverpool)
17th – 19th July 2026
The Institutes of Popular Music of both Rochester and Liverpool, together with the Society for Music Analysis, are pleased to announce their fifth Summer School dedicated to popular music theory and analysis.
Set in the vibrant city of Liverpool, UK, the course will be held on Friday 17th – Sunday 19th July 2026.
The teaching of the course features intensive workshops with leading experts in the field: Michael Buchler (Florida State University), Jocelyn Neal (UNC at Chapel Hill) and Justin Williams (Bristol). Plenary speakers will include: Ben Baker (Eastman), Chelsea Burns (University of Texas), Ralf von Appen (Vienna), and University of Liverpool Staff.
During the course, we will share and explore some of the latest research in popular music theory, making the course ideal for graduate students or early career researchers.
While the course fee is covered by sponsorship, spaces are limited, and we invite applications to be submitted online using the form below. The deadline for applications is April 3rd, 2026. Applicants will be notified soon afterwards. Please note that travel, accommodation and subsidence must be covered by delegates.
Places are open to all those interested in popular music theory and analysis, including students and scholars at any level, and members of the public.
NB: The event immediately follows the SMA’s annual Music Analysis Conference in Dublin (DubMAC), 13th – 15th July. Participants may wish to combine both events.
For informal enquiries please email:kenneth.smith@liverpool.ac.uk.
For more informations: https://www.sma.ac.uk/2026/01/the-fifth-popular-music-theory-and-analysis-summer-school/