The Rey M. Longyear Award is presented annually in memory of Professor Rey M. Longyear to the best student paper presented at the chapter’s annual conference. The award is open only to undergraduate and graduate students attending a South-Central Chapter college or university. Any student paper accepted for inclusion on the program is eligible for consideration for this prize. For more information on submission requirements, please see the Call for Papers.

2026 Winners

Nderitu Kigaru (University of Georgia), “Scoring Black memory: Hall Johnson’s Spirituals and the Sonic Landscape of The Green Pastures“

Jonathan McIntyre (University of Kentucky), “Nietzsche as Composer, Philosopher, Antichrist: A Conceptual Art Song Analysis”

Past Winners