2nd Istanbul Music Theory Symposium

March 25 - 26 - 27, 2026

Search for Meaning and Philosophy in Music Theory

This symposium titled "Search for Meaning and Philosophy in Music Theory" offers a comprehensive journey from the historical roots of music theory to contemporary analytical approaches. Participants will discuss philosophical implications ranging from the ontology of sound to our understanding of notes; the purposes and layers of meaning in harmony, form, and narrative theories; and the transformative role of music analysis.

Taking place in Istanbul's rich cultural atmosphere, the event will bring together music theorists, composers, music researchers, and performers to deliver in-depth presentations on the search for meaning in music theory and philosophy.

Throughout the symposium, experts will share their research projects, critical questions, and findings in organized panels, contributing to the collective knowledge base and strengthening dialogue and collaboration across disciplines.

The symposium will provide both theoretical depth and analytical practical richness to music theorists, composers, performers, and music researchers, aiming to redefine what music theory means.

The Istanbul Music Theory Symposium will offer a platform for in-depth discussion on the essence of music theory, centering on the search for meaning in music theory and its philosophical foundations. This event aims to examine the transformation of music theory from a philosophical perspective while questioning the role of meaning and philosophy in music analysis. Participants will have the opportunity to reevaluate the theoretical and analytical dimensions of music in light of philosophical approaches and discuss the latest developments in contemporary music research.

The symposium will serve as a meeting point for music theorists, academics, and music enthusiasts, offering new perspectives on the depths of music. Participants will contribute to the future of music theory by sharing their research and findings, enriching the discipline's methodological approaches around the axis of searching for meaning and philosophy. The event aims to advance important topics in the field of music theory, providing an opportunity for a deeper understanding of music's evolution and analysis.

This symposium presents a unique opportunity for anyone wishing to explore the essence of music theory and discuss its philosophical dimensions.

Symposium Program

Sedad Hakkı Eldem Oditorium
25th March 2026 Wednesday – Day 1 (10:00-16:45)

10:00 - 10:50
Opening Speech: —Digital Transformation, AI, and the Future Paradigms of Music Theory
Salvatore Gioveni
10:50 - 12:00
First Session (Chairman of the Session: Ali Yunus Gencer)
• Dilay Can Develi — Limits and Possibilities of Schenker's Model in Late-Romantic Music: The Case Of Chaminade
• Serra Ulusoy — The Role of General Creativity in Mathematical and Musical Abilities Under the Control of Intelligence
• Resul Yüksel — Schopenhauer’da Sanat ve Müziğin Anlamı
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch
13:00 - 14:40
Second Session(Chairman of the Session: Ufuk Biçak)
• Uğur Cihat Sakarya — Tonal Totaliteye Karşı Üç Müzik Dili: Politonalite, Polimodal Kromatizm ve 12 Ton
• Diler Özer — Ritmik Ağırlık Merkezi (Centre of Gravity) ve Anlam: Asimetrik Zamanlarda Ontoloji ve Kültürel Algı
• Selda Öztürk — Rezonans Küresi: Kadın Ağıtları için Yeni Bir Vokal Analiz Yöntemi
14:40 - 15:00
Coffee Break
15:00 - 16:40
Third Session (Chairwoman of the Session: Nisanur Bakırel)
• Tuna Dağdelen — Thoroughbass, Chorale, Partimento: The Rediscovery of the Practice Based Approaches in Harmony Class
• Arvin Mehryari Kandroudi — Ars Subtilior Dönemi Eserlerinin Brian Ferneyhough Müziklerindeki İzleri: Orantısal Notasyon, Zamansal Katmanlaşma ve Aşırı Karmaşıklık
• Nisan Dikeçligil — Burmeister’in Retorik Figürleri ile Müzik Analizinde Anlam

Sedad Hakkı Eldem Oditorium
26th March 2026 Thursday – Day 2 (10:00-16:45)

10:00 - 12:00
Panel: Müzik ve Felsefe (Moderator: Mehmet Özkan)
Panelists: Doğan Yaşat, Hakan Yücefer, Alper Yavuz, Kaan H. Ökten
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch
13:00 - 14:40
First Session (Chairman of the Session: Ahmet Altınel)
• Diler Ezgi Tarhan — Bedenlenmiş Müziğin Zamansal Yankısı: Ritim, Rezonans ve Fenomenolojik Algı
• Yıldırım Arslan — Interstellar Film Müziğinde Frekans, Uzay-Zaman ve Rezonans: Hans Zimmer’in Kompozisyonunun Müzikolojik ve Fiziksel Analizi
• Ortaç Aydınoğlu — Müzik Analizi: Anlama ve Zamansallık Üzerine Bilinç ve Bilinçsiz Çözümlemenin Felsefi Temelleri
• Orhan Veli Özbayrak — İlhan Baran'ın Müzikal Eklektizminde Adnan Saygun'un Modal Anlayışının Yerine Bir Bakış: Çocuk Parçalarında Töresel Musiki'nin Keşfedilmemiş İzleri
14:40 - 15:00
Coffee Break
15:00 - 16:40
Second Session (Chairman of the Session: Erkan Çavdaroğlu)
• Elif Dilan Kara — Sektörleşen Müziğin Öznesi Aranıyor: İnsana Karşı Yapay Zeka
• Gökhan Altınbaş — Bedenin Yokluğunda Müzik: Yapay Zeka Çağında Müzisyenin Fiziksel Varlığının Kayıp Anlamı ve Dinleyici Psikolojisi
• Fulya Çelikel Soğancı — Müzik Teorisinin Dijital Dönüşümü: Herkes için Müzik Web
• Yusuf Dursun / Duygu Turan — Yapay Zeka Destekli Müzik Üretiminde Anlam, Özne ve Deneyim Sorunsalı

Sedad Hakkı Eldem Oditorium
27th March 2026 Friday – Day 3 (10:00-16:45)

10:00 - 12:00
First Session (Chairwoman of the Session: Evrim Hikmet Öğüt)
• Nevin Şahin — Edvâr ile Compás Arasında Bir Usûl Arayışı: Frenkçin Örneği
• Esra Berkman / Ozan Yarman — Türk Müziği Perdelerinde Karakteristik Portamento Estetiği: Çalgısal Kürdilihicazkar Eserlerde Değişken Perdelerin Nispetleri
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch
13:00 - 14:40
Second Session (Chairman of the Session: Erhan Torlular)
• Çınar Esin Akıllı — Kolektif ve Bireysel Bilinçdışının Müzikal Temsilleri: Wagner ve Liszt'in Müziğinde Sembolizm ve Arketipsel Yapılar
• Ezgi Aksoy — Anlam, Performans ve Çalgıcılık: Eğlence Ortamlarında İcrayı Yaşayan Bir Müzik Teorisi Olarak Yeniden Düşünmek
• Emine Ak — How Geometry of Music Is Carving The Space of Affective Meaning Creation in Mind: A Structural-Phenomenological Synthesis
• Cihan Yaygın — Müzik Teorisi Tarihini Estetik, Epistemoloji ve Ontoloji Bağlamında Yeniden Düşünmek
14:40 - 15:00
Coffee Break
15:00 - 16:40
Third Session (Chairwoman of the Session: Oya Çınar Kanık)
• Eren Tamer — İmgesel Arenada Ses: Müzikal Sembolün Varlık Koşulları
• Mehmet Çağrı Özdemir — Pauline Oliveros’un Sonik Meditasyonlar Kompozisyonunda Dinleme Modlarının İşleyişi
• Orhan Torun — The Paradox of Active Stasis: Vertical Time in 1960s Minimalism
• Uğur Cihat Sakarya — Benlik, Zaman ve Mekânı Aşmak: Dreamhouse’da Disoryantasyon

THEMATIC SUBHEADINGS

  • Time and Space of Music – The presence of sound in space and the experience of time and space.
  • Ontology of Silence – The philosophical meaning of silence and the gaps within music.
  • Performance and Meaning – The performer’s personal contributions beyond the written score.
  • Symbolism and Archetypes in Music – The relationship between musical motifs/structures and subconscious symbols.
  • Music and Language – Music as a communicative tool; similarities and differences with linguistic structures.
  • Infinity and Cycles in Music – Philosophical interpretations of repetition and cyclic structures.
  • Ontology of Sound – The foundations of musical being and listening experience.
  • Form and Meaning – Structural and narrative readings in form theories.
  • Harmony and Meaning – Philosophical perspectives on harmony, tonality, and modality.
  • Music Analysis and Philosophy – Where analytical methods meet philosophical inquiry.
  • Historical Perspectives – Transformations in musical thought from antiquity to contemporary interdisciplinary practices.
  • Future and Digital Transformation – New media, AI, and paradigm shifts in music theory.
  • Digital Music and Meaning – Musical authenticity and human meaning in the age of AI and algorithms.

Organizing and Executive Committee

  • Ali Yunus Gencer, Associate Professor
  • Deniz Arat Yaşat, Associate Professor
  • Oya Çınar Kanık, Associate Professor
  • Erhan Torlular, Assistant Professor
  • Melike Ay Bartın, Assistant Professor
  • Eda Dündar Okcebe, Assistant Professor
  • Ufuk Biçak, Lecturer
  • Erkan Çavdaroğlu, Lecturer
  • Begüm Ünlü
  • Emre Şentürk
  • Duru Demircioğlu

Scientific Committee:

  • Prof. Ahmet Altınel
  • Prof. Dr. Ahmet Burak Basmacıoğlu
  • Prof. Eren Özek
  • Prof. Dr. Esra Berkman
  • Prof. Dr. Evrim Hikmet Öğüt
  • Prof. Dr. İlke Boran
  • Prof. Dr. Kıvılcım Yıldız Acar
  • Prof. Dr. M.Erdem Çöloğlu
  • Prof. Dr. Ozan Baysal
  • Prof. Dr. Tolga Tüzün
  • Eray Altınbüken, Associate Professor
  • İsmet Karadeniz, Associate Professor
  • Neşe Yeşim Altınel Çoban, Associate Professor
  • Onur Dülger, Associate Professor
  • Tolga Yayalar, Associate Professor
  • Mahir Cetiz, Assistant Professor
  • Sungu Okan, Assistant Professor
  • , Assistant ProfessorYiğit Özatalay, Assistant Professor
  • Yiğit Aydın, Lecturer

Abstract Criteria:

  1. 1) Must be written in Turkish or English.
  2. Must include an English title and abstract.
  3. References must follow APA7 format.
  4. Must contain 5 keywords, bibliography, and methodology.
  5. At least 5 sources planned to be cited must be included.
  6. Must not exceed 400 words (excluding the English abstract).
  7. Name, contact, and institution information must be provided.
  8. Must be submitted as a Microsoft Word file to imts@msgsu.edu.tr by 31st December 2025.

Important Dates

  • Deadline for abstract submission: December 31, 2025
  • Announcement of accepted papers: February 9, 2026
  • Symposium dates: March 25-26-27, 2026
  • Deadline for full papers: July 5, 2026
  • Online publication of the proceedings: To be announced later.