
Conference Schedule
Accessibility Notice:
This document is provided in its original format and may not be fully accessible to users of assistive technologies. If you require an accessible version or specific information in an alternate format, please contact [email protected].
Conference Site
The conference sessions will be held in Davis Hall on the campus of Virginia State University. Davis Hall is at the intersection of University Avenue and Jackson Place (it is labeled on Google Maps and Apple Maps).
Dates
On-site registration opens Friday, March 20 at 5 p.m. in Davis Hall. The first event is the opening concert at 7 p.m. followed by a reception at the hotel. The conference runs until 12:30 pm on Sunday, March 22. The schedule on Saturday includes the chapter business meeting (12:15 p.m.) and the keynote address (2 p.m.).
Hotel
The Hotel Petersburg is a historic hotel that was renovated and reopened a year ago after being dormant for over 50 years. It is in the heart of Old Towne, with many local restaurants, shops, antique shops, and art galleries within short walking distance. The group rate is $159. Valet parking is $20/day, but it is possible to park in other places close by.
Add your name to a list of people seeking roommates using this form.
Transportation
VSU and downtown Petersburg are easily accessible from I-95. VSU is about 25 minutes south of Richmond, and about 30 minutes from the Richmond International Airport (RIC). The Petersburg Amtrak station is near the VSU campus.
Keynote Speaker
Damien Geter is a composer, conductor, singer, known for his large-scale pieces that tell compelling stories around the African American experience. He is Music Director for Portland Opera and Composer in Residence for the Richmond Symphony. His latest opera, Loving v. Virginia had its premiere run in Norfolk, Richmond, and Fairfax. While he resides outside of Virginia, his Virginia ties run deep. He grew up in Matoaca, just a few minutes from the VSU campus.
Contact
Contact Tim Thompson ([email protected], 561-301-2441) with any questions or requests.
Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, February 9, 2026
The Mid-Atlantic chapter of The College Music Society will hold its 54th Conference March 20–22, 2026, at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia.
As a supplemental call, the Program Committee welcomes submissions of original works to be performed by the Virginia Tech student clarinet quartet, under the direction of clarinet professor Bryce Newcomer, on one of the two concerts during the conference.
Compositions in any genre are welcome and special consideration will be given to pieces in a jazz style.
The Committee solicits the broadest representation of our profession and its interests and welcomes submissions from all including those (a) in academia (full-time and adjunct faculty, community college faculty, students, and retired faculty), (b) in the music industry, and (c) active as independent musicians and scholars.
CONSIDERATIONS
ELIGIBILITY
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION & PARTICIPATION POLICY
PREPARATION OF MATERIALS
TIMELINE
QUESTIONS?
Questions regarding this call should be directed to:
Charles Nichols [email protected]
Composition Chair, 2026 CMS Mid-Atlantic Conference
You must be a CMS member to see this content.
Please log in and the content will appear in this location. Or, click here to join CMS.
Trial memberships start at just $20.
Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, February 9, 2025
The Mid-Atlantic chapter of The College Music Society will hold its 54th Conference March 20–22, 2026, at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia.
The Program Committee welcomes submissions of original works to be performed during one or more special concerts during the conference. Composers must either perform their own works, provide their own performer(s), or submit pieces for the following performers/ensembles:
Compositions in any genre are welcome and special consideration will be given to pieces in a jazz style. The following on-site performers are available for jazz-based submissions: piano, bass, drums, saxophone/clarinet.
Compositions based on electroacoustic and fixed media elements (audio and video) will be considered. Audio formats may include stereo, quadraphonic, and 5.1 surround. Please list within the proposal any additional equipment needed, including stands, chairs, tables, microphones, cabling, etc.
The Committee solicits the broadest representation of our profession and its interests and welcomes submissions from all including those (a) in academia (full-time and adjunct faculty, community college faculty, students, and retired faculty), (b) in the music industry, and (c) active as independent musicians and scholars.
CONSIDERATIONS
ELIGIBILITY
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION & PARTICIPATION POLICY
PREPARATION OF MATERIALS
TIMELINE
QUESTIONS?
Questions regarding this call should be directed to:
Charles Nichols
[email protected]Composition Chair, 2026 CMS Mid-Atlantic Conference
You must be a CMS member to see this content.
Please log in and the content will appear in this location. Or, click here to join CMS.
Trial memberships start at just $20.
Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, February 9, 2025
The Mid-Atlantic chapter of The College Music Society will hold its 54th Conference March 20–22, 2026, at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia.
The Program Committee of The College Music Society welcomes proposals for lecture-recitals and performances. The Committee solicits the broadest representation of our profession and its interests, and welcomes proposals from students, faculty, retirees, and independent musicians from all educational and professional settings.
The conference will feature a keynote address from Damien Geter, a composer, conductor, and performer with a thriving career in the contemporary concert music industry. The Program Committee particularly encourages proposals that:
On-site collaborating faculty musicians are available, including piano, violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and percussion. Other collaborators are possible as budget permits. Contact Tim Thompson ([email protected]) to be connected with potential collaborators.
Proposals involving jazz performance will be considered. The host institution can provide collaborating personnel for jazz piano, bass, drums, and saxophone. Contact Tim Thompson ([email protected]) to be connected with potential collaborators.
The host institution is well equipped to support performances that include electronic and multimedia elements. Please include technology and equipment needs in the proposal.
Proposals for student ensemble performances will be considered.
The Committee solicits the broadest representation of our profession and its interests and welcomes submissions from all including those (a) in academia (full-time and adjunct faculty, community college faculty, students, and retired faculty), (b) in the music industry, and (c) active as independent musicians and scholars.
CONSIDERATIONS
ELIGIBILITY
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION & PARTICIPATION POLICY
PREPARATION OF MATERIALS
TIMELINE
QUESTIONS?
Questions regarding this call should be directed to:
[email protected]
Program Chair, 2026 CMS Mid-Atlantic Conference
You must be a CMS member to see this content.
Please log in and the content will appear in this location. Or, click here to join CMS.
Trial memberships start at just $20.
Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Monday, February 9, 2025
The Mid-Atlantic chapter of The College Music Society will hold its 54th Conference March 20–22, 2026, at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia.
The Program Committee welcomes proposals for demonstrations, discussion forums, panels, scholarly research papers, posters, and workshops relating to all aspects of music creation, performance, scholarship, teaching, learning, career considerations, and other areas of interest to the music professional. The Committee invites the broadest representation from the music profession and its interests, and welcomes proposals from students, faculty, retirees, and independent musicians from all educational and professional settings.
The conference will feature a keynote address from Damien Geter, a composer, conductor, and performer with a busy career in the contemporary concert music industry. The Program Committee particularly encourages, and will give priority to proposals that:
The Committee solicits the broadest representation of our profession and its interests and welcomes submissions from all including those (a) in academia (full-time and adjunct faculty, community college faculty, students, and retired faculty), (b) in the music industry, and (c) active as independent musicians and scholars.
CONSIDERATIONS
ELIGIBILITY
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION & PARTICIPATION POLICY
PREPARATION OF MATERIALS
TIMELINE
QUESTIONS?
Questions regarding this call should be directed to:
[email protected]
Program Chair, 2026 CMS Mid-Atlantic Conference
You must be a CMS member to see this content.
Please log in and the content will appear in this location. Or, click here to join CMS.
Trial memberships start at just $20.
| Event Date | 03-20-2026 |
| Event End Date | 03-22-2026 |
| Cut off date | 03-23-2026 |
| Individual Price | $155.00 |
| Location | Virginia State University |