Centenary Celebration in Stavanger
From 2 to 6 August 2027, the world’s leading music researchers will gather in Stavanger. The International Musicological Society Congress 2027 will take place in Bjergsted Cultural Park, with the main venues being the Faculty of Performing Arts at the University of Stavanger and Stavanger Concert Hall.
Centenary Celebration
The International Musicological Society was founded in 1927 and has held congresses with a general assembly every five years, as well as annual conferences across the globe. In 2027, the 100th anniversary will be celebrated in Stavanger, a city renowned for its cultural life, and the event is expected to attract around 1,000 music scholars from all over the world.
Local Collaboration
This is the first time the congress will be hosted in Norway. The successful bid was the result of a collaboration between the Faculty of Performing Arts at the University of Stavanger, Stavanger Concert Hall, and Region Stavanger. A strong application, led by project manager Per Dahl, ensured that Region Stavanger’s proposal was considered the best among seven bids from Europe and Asia – including cities with larger music institutions than Stavanger.
Musical Ecosystem
The main theme of the congress is the musical ecosystem – an interdisciplinary perspective on music in interaction with environment, technology, and society. This reflects how musicology is no longer confined to the study of (Western) composers’ lives and works as documented in written sources. The theme also resonates with the Stavanger region’s profile as an energy capital with a focus on sustainability and innovation, and supports the university’s efforts to connect artistic and technological research. As the faculty educates musicians at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, artistic research will play a central role in the conference programme.
Carbon-Neutral Conference
The International Musicological Society Congress 2027 aims to be carbon-neutral and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. All programme information will be provided digitally, and participants will be able to walk between the conference venues in Bjergsted Cultural Park and Stavanger city centre. Local, short-travelled products and suppliers will be prioritised for both food and technology
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