2025 Symposium on the Music of the Sea
For over 40 years, international academics, independent scholars, and performer researchers have gathered in Mystic and Essex to share their passion for and original research of the music of the sea.
The Symposium links them with knowledgeable and enthusiastic audiences, providing scholarship that is entertaining and enlightening. Presentations will be videotaped and followed by a Q&A.
The 2024 Symposium on the Music of the Sea, directed for the fourth year in a row by Dr. Faye Ringel, will be held at the Essex Town Hall at 29 West Ave, Essex, CT from 9AM-4:15PM on Friday, June 6th, with a break for lunch. The Symposium is free to attend, and will be uploaded to our YouTube channel following the festival for those who are unable to attend in-person.
This year, keep your eyes on the festival grid for an exciting bonus presentation and workshop Saturday morning!
Schedule
9 a.m.
The Blue Penciling Erased: Hugill’s Recovered Bawdy Chanteys
Jerry Bryant
10 a.m.
Contributions of Old-Sailor Poets to the Nautical Songs
Charlie Ipcar
11 a.m.
We Sang to Stop Ourselves from Crying: Women’s Work Songs in the Scottish Herring Industry
Meg Hyland
12 p.m. lunch break
1:15 p.m.
A Goddess of His Own: Columbia and American Naval Hyper-identity
Dr. Stephen N. Sanfilippo
2:15 p.m.
Sea Slang: Maritime Influence & Persistence of Vocabulary in Contemporary Culture
Cole Longcor
3:15 p.m.
Singing Chanties and Shanties on Both Sides of the Pond
Fred Winkel
Symposium Staff
Director
Dr. Faye Ringel
First Mate
Dan Lanier
Moderators
Craig Edwards and Dan Lanier
Reading Committee
Dan Lanier, Dr. Christopher Smith, Sheila Hogg, Craig Edwards, Dr. Faye
Ringel
Technical Director, Video, and Sound
Ben Parker
Refreshments
Kitsie Reeves