Notable Voices Speaker Series

The Notable Voices Speaker Series is a funding program designed to support AMS committees, study groups and chapters to bring notable voices to give public and scholarly lectures at the AMS Annual Meeting. AMS committee, study group and chapter leaders are encouraged to identify interesting and knowledgeable speakers at any career stage who can share fresh research or perspectives on the study and history of music and sound. Successor to the Society’s longstanding “Guest Speaker Fund,” this new program increases the size and number of awards, while also raising the profile of invited speakers.

Any AMS committee, chapter, or study group may apply for support through the Notable Voices series by completing the program proposal submission form. Each year, the Society will select up to five invited speaker proposals to support, with the goal of featuring speakers representing a range of topics, perspectives and career paths. Each selected speaker will receive:

• a $1,000 honorarium that may be used to cover the cost of travel to and from the AMS Annual Meeting.
• Complimentary registration for the AMS Annual Meeting
• Two nights of complimentary hotel accommodations during the AMS Annual Meeting

Selected speakers and their sessions will be featured prominently in the annual meeting program as part of the Notable Voices series, with recognition of the sponsoring AMS affiliate.

Applications are reviewed by the Society’s Committee on the Annual Meeting and Public Events (CAMPE). Proposals will be evaluated based on a range of factors, including scholarly or professional excellence, topical variety, speaker quality and dynamism, etc.

The Notable Voices Speaker Series event funding program accepts proposals from AMS committees, chapters, and study groups seeking to invite featured speakers to participate in the AMS Annual Meeting. Applications must be submitted on behalf of an eligible AMS affiliate by that affiliate’s duly elected or appointed leader.

Applications must include:

1. 1. A narrative description of the proposed session (maximum 350 words), including its topic, format, and the anticipated contribution of the featured speaker.
   2. A brief statement (maximum 250 words) explaining the significance of the proposed speaker and how their participation would advance the goals of the Notable Voices series.
   3. A CV or brief professional biography of the proposed speaker.
   4. (Optional) Videos or clips of the proposed speaker’s public speaking style and approach.

Aside from standalone lectures, proposals for lecture-recitals and other combinations of speaking and performance are also acceptable. Please note, however, that panel proposals are not eligible for the Notable Voices Speaker Series.

All proposals must be submitted by 16 February 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applicants will be notified of decisions before the 15 March deadline for study group and committee session proposals at the annual meeting, allowing for unsuccessful study group or committee applicants to submit their sessions through the regular annual meeting proposal process.