Overview

The 12th International Conference of Students of Systematic Musicology (SysMus19) took place from 10–12 September 2019 at the SRH Hochschule der populären Künste (hdpk) in Berlin, Germany. Led by students for students, the SysMus series provides a platform for researchers at the early stages of their careers, including Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students, to present their work, exchange ideas and gain experience in a professional but informal conference environment.

The programme featured 34 spoken presentations and 13 posters, spanning topics including health and well-being, education, empirical aesthetics, social interaction, performance, musical analysis and sociology. Two keynote presentations explored digital jazz research and the psychology of spatial perception, while four workshops introduced participants to research tools and approaches including computing in systematic musicology, sound and body movement, artefact analysis and peripheral physiology in music psychology.

The full conference report by Rory Kirk and Zachary Bresler provides an overview of the research presented alongside reflections on the workshops and social programme. It highlights the breadth of systematic musicology and the opportunities SysMus provides for students to develop their research and presentation skills, exchange ideas, and build connections with peers from around the world.