The 4th International Conference on Timbre
2-4 July 2026
Montréal, Canada
Hosted by the Faculty of music, University of Montreal in collaboration with the research partnership ACTOR (Analysis, Creation and Teaching of ORchestration), and with the support of Montreal-based music research centres CIRMMT (Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology) and RC•MS (Regroupement inter-universitaire de recherche et création • musiques et sociétés).
About the Conference
Timbre is the fundamental material that composers, improvisers, performers and sound designers shape into music and sound art. Timbre poses multifaceted research questions across the scientific spectrum, from hearing, psychology, and neuroscience to acoustics and artificial intelligence. Timbre can also be approached from the perspective of the humanities, including history, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, and sound studies.
Bringing together musicians and researchers from these and related fields, the International Conference on Timbre aims to provide a truly interdisciplinary forum for exchanging novel perspectives and forging collaborations across different disciplines to advance our understanding of timbre from artistic, empirical, theoretical, and computational perspectives.
Important Dates
Submission Deadline: January 15, 2026Notification of Acceptance: March 15, 2026Updated abstracts: April 30, 2026
Montréal
Welcome!
Bienvenue!
Montreal is the second largest city of Canada and its true cultural capital. It is renowned for its unique blend of French and English heritage, vibrant arts scene, stunning architecture ranging from centuries-old churches to modern landmarks, world-class festivals, a celebrated local cuisine, and an electric nightlife. Founded in 1642 by French colonists on the island of Hochelaga — long inhabited by the Kanien’kehá:ka people — the city has remained a crossroads of languages, cultures, and ideas for nearly four centuries; just as timbre has been a crossroads of disciplines since Helmholtz. Montreal is located on the St. Lawrence River, nestled between the river and the iconic Mont-Royal hill that gives the city its name. It is a major transportation and economic hub for Canada and northeastern North America.
See also our Venue & Travel Information page.
Partners
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