2026 Southwest Chapter Conference

Campus Map & Key Locations

A campus map (with memo) can be found here. When zoomed in, all conference-relevant locations appear near University Ave, including:

• Music Building / Atkinson Recital Hall
• Parking near the Chemistry & Biochemistry Building
• Restaurants across from the Music Building
• Courtyard by Marriott Las Cruces at NMSU
• NMSU Convention Center

All conference venues and amenities are concentrated in this walkable area.

Music Building (Atkinson Recital Hall)

Address: 1075 N Horseshoe St, Las Cruces, NM 88003
You may also type “Atkinson Recital Hall” in GPS apps; it is the same location.

Best Route for Drivers
For the easiest access, drive toward the Chemistry & Biochemistry Building parking area and enter the Music Building through the back entrance. 

The Horseshoe Street address will take you to the front of the building, where parking is extremely limited.

Chemistry & Biochemistry Building (Parking Area)

Address: 1175 N Horseshoe St, Las Cruces, NM 88001

This is the recommended parking area for easy access to the Music Building.

Driving Directions to NMSU

Directions to the Las Cruces campus may be found here: https://awo.nmsu.edu/directions-to-nmsu/

Parking Information

• A parking pass is required on weekdays between 7:30 am–4:30 pm.
• Parking is free after 4:30 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.

Free Visitor Parking Pass

Visitors may request a free campus parking permit here:
https://auxadminforms.nmsu.edu/ParkingForms/ePermit.aspx

Conference Hotel

Courtyard by Marriott Las Cruces at NMSU
Address: 456 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88005
A group discount is available for conference attendees. Information about 3-night booking options will be shared soon.

The hotel is adjacent to the NMSU Convention Center and within walking distance of the Music Building and nearby restaurants.

Traveling to Las Cruces

Closest Airport: El Paso International Airport (ELP) – El Paso, Texas
Approximately 45–60 minutes from the NMSU campus (depending on traffic).

Ground Transportation Options

Ride Services

• Uber: typically $55–85 before tip
  • May be an economical option if shared with another attendee
• Rental Cars: available at the ELP arrival terminal counters

Shuttles

• At My Door Shuttle: https://www.atmydoorshuttle.com/
• American Limo: https://www.americanlimosabq.com/service-areas-locations/las-cruces-nm

Bus Options (ELP ↔ Las Cruces)

These options are inexpensive but require a short ride (Uber/Lyft or taxi) from the bus stop to either the NMSU campus or the airport.

• Greyhound
• FlixBus
• EPLA Limo Express – often < $20
• Gold Bus (NMDOT Park & Ride): https://www.dot.nm.gov/travel-information/

If you need additional travel assistance or have questions about navigating Las Cruces, please contact the CMS Southwest Chapter or the Local Arrangements Host. Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you to New Mexico!

Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM PST October 10, 2025

The Southwest Chapter of The College Music Society will hold its Conference March 6-7, 2026, at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  

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 Program Committee particularly encourages, and will give priority to, proposals that:  

1. Elevate artistic presentations incorporating imaginative performance mediums, and/or a new perspective on traditions past and present. 
2. Promote ethical scholarship and performance of musical cultures of marginalized populations including groups that are excluded due to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, or language. 
3. Celebrate globally diverse musical tradition with special attention to the culture and musical heritage of the Southwest. 

 CONSIDERATIONS 

• Performances are intended to present live music, and speaking is generally limited to brief introductory comments. While these can feature new music, this is not the appropriate submission venue for works by CMS composers. Two types of performances are possible:
  1. Stand-alone Performance: A 25-minute program from a single performer or ensemble may be proposed that features music by one or more composers. The time limit is inclusive of set-up and tear-down.
  2. Showcase Performance: Brief performances of 10 minutes or less may be proposed which will be included on a larger concert organized by the Program Committee. The time limit is inclusive of set-up and tear-down.
• Lecture-recitals are limited to 25 minutes each, inclusive of delivery, discussion, and/or questions as appropriate. Lecture-recitals differ from performances in that they provide opportunities for performing combined with a significant amount of speaking. 
• The same topic may not be submitted as both a lecture-recital and performance. 
• Prior to submission, proposers must communicate with all collaborators regarding their interest and availability. This includes collaborative pianists. Proposals not listing all participants will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered.  
• All persons whose work is selected for inclusion on the program are expected to register for and attend the full conference. If the proposal is accepted, proposers will be asked to communicate with all participants in the presentation to ensure their registration. At its discretion, the Program Committee may exempt from the membership and registration fee requirements specific individuals, such as invited speakers or guest panelists who are non-music professionals. It is the responsibility of the individual who submits the proposal to, upon acceptance, make conference planners aware of all non-music professionals involved in their presentation and to request such an exemption. 
• Proposers agree to present on any day of the conference should their proposal be accepted. 
• The College Music Society does not fund travel expenses of accepted presenters or performers. 
• Proposers must submit their own work and may not submit proposals on behalf of their students or others. 

ELIGIBILITY 

• The Primary proposer must be a current member of The College Music Society. Persons interested in submitting a proposal should check their membership status well in advance of the submission deadline. Please note the processing time for membership applications and/or renewals is 1–2 business days. 
• It is not necessary for collaborators to be current members at the time of submission; however, if invited to the program, every person involved in the presentation must join CMS and register for the conference. 

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION & PARTICIPATION POLICY 

• Each member may submit a maximum of 2 proposal(s) in response to this Call.  
• Each member may submit a maximum of 2 proposal(s) to all calls for this conference. 
• Each member may be added by others as a co-presenter (e.g., panelist or accompanist) to a maximum of 2 proposals.  
• The maximum number of presentations in which a member may be involved on the conference program is 2. If more than two proposals involving the same member are accepted – regardless of whether the member submitted the proposal or was added another member’s proposal – the individual in question must choose in which two presentations they will participate.  

PREPARATION OF MATERIALS 

• Electronic submissions are required. Proposals sent by mail will not be considered.
• To support the anonymous review process, the name(s) and/or affiliation(s) of anyone involved in the presentation, including the ensemble, performers, dedications or commissioners (if applicable), should not appear in the title, abstract, or program notes, nor in the file names or body of submitted supplementary materials. Submissions are evaluated anonymously and proposals identifying the proposer or co-presenters will be disqualified. Names and affiliations may appear in the “Collaborators” section of the proposal and in submitted biographies, however, as the review committee will not have access to this information.
• The College Music Society's conference submission process is powered by Submittable. To submit a proposal, please (1) log in to the CMS members-only website using your username and password and then (2) click the ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of this call. You will be directed to Submittable to complete your proposal. If you don't already have a Submittable account, you will be prompted to establish one. (Visit this page for help using Submittable and to view a list of Frequently Asked Questions.)
• A complete proposal includes:
  1. The proposal’s title and format.
  2. Abstract / Program Notes
     1. Lecture-recital proposals require an abstract of 250 words or less.
     2. Performance proposals require program notes of 250 words or less, as well as a list of all titles, movements, and composers being proposed, an indication of the instrumentation, and duration of each work. If a proposal includes lengthy pieces which will not be played in their entirety, please clarify within the program notes which sections will be performed.
  3. A list of required equipment and audio-visual needs.
  4. Two audio samples to demonstrate the proficiency of the soloist/ensemble. The duration of each recording should be a minimum of 3 minutes, but no longer than 8 minutes. Preference will be given to submissions that include a recording of the proposer performing the actual work being proposed. When this is not possible, the submitted example must be of a comparable style, genre, or historical period. Most audio file formats are supported within Submittable. File names should not identify the proposer or any collaborators (please erase the metadata that is automatically saved with the file).
  5. If performing a work based on music notation, PDF reference scores to accompany the audio samples submitted under item #4.
  6. Optional: In addition to the two required audio samples of the performer(s), an additional reference recording of the proposed work being performed by someone else may be added to support the submission. This is recommended in cases where the proposer(s) have not recorded the proposed work.
  7. Optional: You may add up to 3 supporting materials to your proposal. These might include printed music examples, photos, statistics, or relevant data. Do not include lengthy documents, dissertations, CVs, resumes, or PowerPoint presentations.
  8. Contact details and a brief biography of the proposer (not to exceed 250 words).
  9. Name of performing ensemble, if applicable.
  10. Collaborator Biographies:
      1. If the presentation will be given by a named ensemble, a biography of ensemble must be included (not to exceed 250 words). Ensemble biographies may briefly address the achievements of each ensemble member; however, separate biographies of each individual performer are not requested in this case.
      2. If the presentation will not be given by a named ensemble, biographies of individual performers should be included (not to exceed 250 words per person).
  11. Contact details for all collaborators, including an email address, mailing address, and phone number for each person, as well as an institutional affiliation, if applicable.
• When referencing one’s own previously published research, the proposer should refer to such research in the third person to avoid identifying themselves. For example, hypothetical proposal submitter D. Graham should write, “D. Graham’s article, ‘XYZ,’ summarizes pertinent issues,” instead of writing, “My article, ‘XYZ,’ summarizes pertinent issues.” The wording in the first example protects the anonymity of the author, while the second compromises the author’s anonymity by linking the author of the proposal to previously published work by a named author.
• Submissions that do not conform to the above guidelines will not be considered. 

TIMELINE 

• Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM, PST, October 10, 2025. 
• Proposers will be notified by December 19, 2025.

QUESTIONS? 

Questions regarding this call should be directed to: 

Dr. Yoshiko Arahata
[email protected]Performance/Lecture-Recital Co-Chair, 2026 CMS Southwest Chapter Conference

Dr. Jacob Dalager
[email protected]Performance/Lecture-Recital Co-Chair, 2026 CMS Southwest Chapter Conference

Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM PST October 10, 2025

The Southwest Chapter of The College Music Society will hold its Conference March 6-7, 2026, at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

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 volunteer performers: 

• Oboe/English Horn (2 performers available who each play both instruments)
• Bb, A, Eb, or Bass Clarinet (1 performer available)
• Trumpet (1 performer available who is willing to play pieces for unaccompanied trumpet or for trumpet and piano if the composer provides a pianist).
• Soprano voice

The Committee solicits the broadest representation of our profession 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. 

College students may submit to this anonymous call for scores. They may also submit to the call for K-16 student compositions. Students should not submit the same work to both calls. 

CONSIDERATIONS

• Proposed works must be 10 minutes or less in duration.
• Composers who will provide their own performers must communicate with their performers prior to submission, regarding their interest and availability. Proposals which do not list all performers will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered. 
• Composers may wish to refer to the online CMS Player’s Roster to locate performers who have volunteered their services for this conference. 
• All composers whose work is selected for inclusion on the program are expected to register for, and attend, the entire conference. Performers on this concert, who may or may not be members of CMS, are not expected to register and attend the conference unless they wish to, but their attendance will be limited to the concert and any rehearsals if they do not register.
• Composers must be willing to have their works performed on any day of the conference should their proposal be accepted.
• The College Music Society does not fund travel expenses of accepted presenters or performers.
• Proposers must submit their own work and may not submit proposals on behalf of their students or others.

ELIGIBILITY

• Composers must be current members of The College Music Society at the time of submission. Persons interested in submitting a proposal should check their membership status well in advance of the submission deadline. Please note the processing time for membership applications and/or renewals is 1–2 business days.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION & PARTICIPATION POLICY

• Each member may submit a maximum of 2 score(s) to this conference. 
• Each member may submit a maximum of 2 proposal(s) to all calls for this conference.
• Each member may be added by others as a co-presenter (e.g., panelist or accompanist) to a maximum of 2 proposals. 
• The maximum number of presentations in which a member may be involved on the conference program is 2. If more than two proposals involving the same member are accepted – regardless of whether the member submitted the proposal or was added another member’s proposal – the individual in question must choose in which two presentations they will participate. 

PREPARATION OF MATERIALS

• Electronic submissions are required. Proposals sent by mail will not be considered. 
• To support the blind review process, the name(s) or affiliation(s) of anyone involved in the presentation should not appear on the score or parts, in program notes, or in the file names of submitted audio samples. Proposals identifying the composer or collaborators will be disqualified. Names and affiliations may, however, appear in the “Personnel” section of the proposal and in submitted biographies, as the review committee will not have access to this part of the application.
• The College Music Society's conference submission process is powered by Submittable. To submit a proposal, please (1) log in to the CMS members-only website using your username and password and then (2) click the ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of this call. You will be directed to Submittable to complete your proposal. If you don't already have a Submittable account, you will be prompted to establish one. (Visit this page for help using Submittable and to view a list of Frequently Asked Questions.)
• A complete proposal includes:
  1. The composition’s title, instrumentation, and duration, rounding up to the nearest half minute.
  2. A representation of the composition in one of the following formats:
     1. A PDF copy of the full score and individual parts (anonymous; dedications and/or commissions should be redacted on the score for anonymous peer review). Multi-movement scores should be merged into a single PDF file, as should all parts.
     2. For those works that are not represented in the score format as noted above, please provide a description of the conceptual framework used in the realization of the composition.
  3. An anonymous digital recording of the work (please erase the metadata that is automatically saved with the file). MIDI file/software-synthesis realizations are acceptable. Most audio file formats are supported within Submittable.
  4. Program notes (not to exceed 250 words).
  5. A list of required equipment (Internet connections are not guaranteed).
  6. A brief biography of the composer (not to exceed 250 words).
  7. Name of the performing ensemble, if applicable.
  8. Performer biographies:
     1. If the work will be presented by a named ensemble, a biography of ensemble must be included (not to exceed 250 words). Ensemble biographies may briefly address the achievements of each ensemble member; however, separate biographies of each individual performer are not requested in this case.
     2. If the work will not be presented by a named ensemble, biographies of individual performers should be included (not to exceed 250 words per person).
  9. Contact details for all performers, including an email address, mailing address, and phone number for each person, as well as an institutional affiliation, if applicable.
• Submissions that do not conform to the above guidelines will not be considered.

TIMELINE

• Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM October 10, 2025, PST
• Proposers will be notified by December 19, 2025.

QUESTIONS? 

Questions regarding this call should be directed to:  

Dr. Aaron Kline
[email protected]Composition Chair, 2026 CMS Southwest Chapter Conference 

Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM PST October 10, 2025

The Southwest Chapter of The College Music Society will hold its Conference March 6-7, 2026, at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  

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 development, wellness, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and other areas of interest to the music professional. The Committee invites the broadest representation from the music profession and its intersections with society, and welcomes proposals from students, faculty, retirees, and independent musicians from all educational and professional settings.

The Program Committee particularly encourages, and will give priority to, proposals that:

• Examine the role of musicians as agents of social change, community building, and civic engagement through performance, pedagogy, or scholarship.
• Highlight innovative career pathways in music, including entrepreneurship, portfolio careers, and leadership in arts advocacy and community initiatives.
• Address mental health, wellness, and care practices in music teaching, learning, and professional life, with attention to sustainable career models.
• Share inclusive and community-driven approaches to music-making that foster equity, collaboration, and belonging across diverse populations and settings. 

CONSIDERATIONS 

• Demonstrations enable conference attendees to learn about methods, resources, or tools, and differ from workshops in that they are not interactive. Demonstrations are limited to 25 minutes.
• Discussion Forums create a venue for attendees to interact and discuss specific topics related to the profession. While moderated, most of the information and knowledge sharing is generated by the audience rather than the presenter. Forums are less formal than speaker-led presentations. Forums are typically 55 minutes.
• Panels provide an opportunity to examine a topic in depth. A panel comprises at least two panelists and is facilitated by a moderator. The moderator may either engage panelists with curated questions or may provide initial remarks before inviting each panelist to share their perspective within a pre-established time frame. Panels might conclude with an audience Q&A session, a summation of key points, and acknowledgements. Panels are typically 55 minutes.
• Papers are 25-minute presentations of research or a significant discovery. These are spoken presentations but may include audiovisual elements and/or time for Q&A.
• Posters present an idea or project via a compelling visual display. Time will be scheduled during the conference for poster presenters to interact with attendees regarding their research.
• Workshops enable conference attendees to learn about specific methods, tools, resources, or projects through hands-on interaction, and are generally designed to teach something or develop a specific skill, or set of skills, rather than present original research.
• Prior to submission, proposers must communicate with all co-presenters regarding their interest and availability. Proposals not listing all participants will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered.
• All persons whose work is selected for inclusion on the program are expected to register for and attend the full conference. If the proposal is accepted, proposers will be asked to communicate with all participants in the presentation to ensure their registration by the end of the calendar year. At its discretion, the Program Committee may exempt from the membership and registration fee requirements specific individuals, such as invited speakers or guest panelists who are non-music professionals. It is the responsibility of the individual who submits the proposal to, upon acceptance, make conference planners aware of all non-music professionals involved in their presentation and to request such an exemption.
• Proposers agree to present on any day of the conference should their proposal be accepted.
• The College Music Society does not fund travel expenses of accepted presenters.
• Proposers must submit their own work and may not submit proposals on behalf of their students or others.
• Proposals of a commercial nature that promote products or services will not be considered. 

ELIGIBILITY 

• The Primary proposer must be a current member of The College Music Society. Persons interested in submitting a proposal should check their membership status well in advance of the submission deadline. Please note the processing time for membership applications and/or renewals is 1–2 business days.
• It is not necessary for co-presenters to be current members at the time of submission; however, if invited to the program, every person involved in the presentation must join CMS. 

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION & PARTICIPATION POLICY 

• Each member may submit a maximum of 2 proposal(s) in response to this Call.  
• Each member may submit a maximum of 2 proposal(s) to all calls for this conference. 
• Each member may be added by others as a co-presenter (e.g., panelist or accompanist) to a maximum of 2 proposals.
• The maximum number of presentations in which a member may be involved on the conference program is 2. If more than two proposals involving the same member are accepted – regardless of whether the member submitted the proposal or was added another member’s proposal – the individual in question must choose in which two presentations they will participate.  

PREPARATION OF MATERIALS 

• Electronic submissions are required. Proposals sent by mail will not be considered.
• To support the blind review process, the name(s) or affiliation(s) of anyone involved in the presentation should not appear in the title or abstract, nor in the file names or body of submitted supplementary materials, as submissions are evaluated anonymously. Proposals identifying the proposer or co-presenters will be disqualified. Names and affiliations may, however, appear in the “Personnel” section of the proposal and in submitted biographies, as the review committee will not have access to this part of the application.
• The College Music Society's conference submission process is powered by Submittable. To submit a proposal, please (1) log in to the CMS members-only website using your username and password and then (2) click the ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of this call. You will be directed to Submittable to complete your proposal. If you don't already have a Submittable account, you will be prompted to establish one. (Visit this page for help using Submittable and to view a list of Frequently Asked Questions.)
• A complete proposal includes:
  1. The proposal’s title.
  2. An abstract of 250 words or less. The Program Committee chooses presentations based primarily on the abstract as submitted, so it is important to write an abstract that the Committee will understand and can evaluate fairly. The purpose of the abstract is to convey to the reader what will be said in the presentation. Do not merely describe the subject or list the topics to be covered. Rather, state the main point of the presentation, outline the subsidiary points, and summarize the evidence offered, so that someone who has not heard the presentation can know in brief what it will say and can evaluate its contribution to our knowledge and understanding of music. The abstract, like the presentation itself, should be clear to an audience of musicians and music educators of all kinds, not just to those with a narrow specialty. While it may be necessary to set the context or lay out the problem to be addressed, this should be kept to a minimum.
  3. You may add up to 3 supporting materials to your proposal (optional). These might include printed music examples, photos, statistics, or relevant data. Do not include lengthy documents, dissertations, CVs, resumes, or PowerPoint presentations. Neither file names nor uploaded materials should identify the proposer or any collaborators.
  4. A list of required equipment and audio-visual needs.
  5. A biography of the proposer and each co-presenter, if applicable (250-word maximum per person).
  6. Contact details for all personnel involved in the presentation, including an email address, mailing address, and phone number for each person, as well as an institutional affiliation, if applicable.
• When referencing one’s own previously published research, the proposer should refer to such research in the third person to avoid identifying themselves. For example, hypothetical proposal submitter D. Graham should write, “D. Graham’s article, ‘XYZ,’ summarizes pertinent issues,” instead of writing, “My article, ‘XYZ,’ summarizes pertinent issues.” The wording in the first example protects the anonymity of the author, while the second compromises the author’s anonymity by linking the author of the proposal to previously published work by a named author.
• Submissions that do not conform to the above guidelines will not be considered. 

TIMELINE 

• Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM, PST, October 10, 2025.
• Proposers will be notified by December 19, 2025.  

QUESTIONS? 

Questions regarding this call should be directed to: 

Dr. Karen Koner
[email protected]Oral and Poster Presentation Chair, 2026 CMS Southwest Chapter Conference 

Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM PST, October 10, 2025

To support professors who focus on development of creativity in music teaching and learning, we would like to offer a special opportunity to work with and hear music from K-16 students who are creating and composing music of all genres and styles. We hope this can be achieved in two ways, 1) communicating this Call to K-12 music educators near NMSU as well as 2) attending our Saturday Morning Workshop 9:00 – noon, March 7, 2026. For our College Music Society Southwest Chapter Conference 2026, we plan to have musicians on-site to work with us as we present a composer workshop experience for both professors and young creators. Students may attend (without charge) this workshop held at New Mexico State University.  

Submissions for this CALL for SCORES will be due Friday, November 14, 2025. 

How to participate? 

1. Complete information form found on this page.
2. Submit a piece of music student has created (including score (pdf), .wav file, YouTube link, or Google drive link) through student’s music teacher. 
3. All musical submissions will be submitted at this link.

What will happen? A committee of composer-educators will review music and respond with comments for all submissions. While we will not have an in-person concert for sharing music created by young people during CMS Southwest Chapter 2026 Conference, we will have a workshop for students to bring their compositions and have them read by instrumentalists and singers on-site. As well, if students are unable to attend the Conference, all students’ works can be heard through a QR code via posters in the entry of the New Mexico State University School of Music and perhaps may attend virtually. 

Instrumentation: Student composers may submit any work for standard instrumentation and electronic music using DAWS. 

Workshop: 9:00 – noon, Saturday, March 7, 2026

We will play recordings of student submissions. Students may also come with a piece they would like to hear informally performed with a goal of understanding how to make motives stronger, hear differences in playing styles with same notes and same instruments, understand how different registers of instruments may change the atmosphere of a performance, work with a partner to create harmony for a melody, and a variety of additional compositional elements. Professors will give comments during the workshop to enjoy and strengthen emerging composers works. We will also consider the variety of project assignments for all coursework at the University and K-12 levels.

Student Groupings: We expect that if students attend the workshop, they will be grades 9-16. If, however, we are fortunate to have K-8 students in attendance, we will include students at these grade levels. We will know in advance who will be attending and look forward to including any/all K-16 students.

I look so forward to hearing your creative musical work and hope to see you March 7!

Thank you,

Dr. Lisa Crawford, Director
[email protected]CMS Southwest Chapter, Immediate Past President
Music Educator, Composer, Researcher, Author