Call for Abstracts for "Glory Days: A Bruce Springsteen Symposium"
Abstracts are being accepted for "Glory Days: A Bruce Springsteen Symposium," which will focus on the significant impact of the musician's work on popular music and American culture.
The gathering will be Sept. 25-27 in West Long Branch, N.J. Mark Bernhard, Virginia Tech director of continuing and professional education, is organizing the event in partnership with colleagues at The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona. Deadline for submission of abstracts is April 30.
“Springsteen’s influence extends from stage into the classroom with his music, which is found in course syllabi across the United States and around the world,” said Bernhard, a Springsteen aficionado who held a previous symposium based on the musician in 2005.
The 2005 symposium drew 330 educators, journalists, historians, musicologists, and fans interested in scholarship regarding Bruce Springsteen’s influence. Participants came from across the United States and eight other countries. National and international media also covered the event.
More than 100 papers were presented at the 2005 event and notable speakers included Springsteen photographer Frank Stefanko; former E Street Band drummer Vini Lopez; film editor Thom Zimny, who has produced two Springsteen television specials; author/music critic Dave Marsh; singer/song writer Joe Grushecky; World Hunger year executive director Bill Ayres; and Danny Federici, who died last year and was a member of the Springsteen band.
The 2009 symposium will be at Monmouth University and the Sheraton Eatontown Center, the same venues as the 2005 event. The program includes a dynamic mix of keynote speakers, breakout sessions and special events.
View the 22 symposium proposal tracks and abstract submission details.
Presenters will be notified of acceptance of abstracts no later than May 29. Registration fee for speakers and the public is $295. Students will pay a $195 registration fee.
Further information is available at the symposium website: or contact Mark Bernhard at (540) 231-0624.
