This weekend the University of Greenwich celebrates 40 years of Electroacoustic Music in Great Britain with high profile concerts from composers across the field, including Trevor Wishart, Jo Thomas, Denis Smalley and Evelyn Ficarra.
Best known as the Sonic Arts Network, and eventually forming part of Sound & Music, the Electroacoustic Music Association of Great Britain (EMAS) was founded in January 1979 and aimed to provide a national focus for creation, performance and research in the field of electroacoustic and computer music.
Alongside four concerts which will include over 25 pieces of music, the conference on January 26 and 27 will also feature talks from academics, members of the British Electroacoustic Network and the original founders of EMAS.
Titled 'Past / Present / Future', the conference will not only look back at the rich history of EMAS, but also look forward towards new possibilities and the ways in which the ideas and ethos of EMAS can continue to be championed.
Speaking about the event, Dr Andrew Hill, Lecturer in Sound Design and Music Technology at the University of Greenwich, said:
"The EMAS was a visionary organisation that has had a profound impact on contemporary music and sonic arts practice in the UK, and one that deserves to be celebrated for the impact that it has had upon our creative landscape.
"The composers and speakers across the weekend are a true cross section of what the EMAS was all about, and I'm particularly proud to have a diverse mix of male and female composers, all of whom are leaders in their field."
As well as 'Past / Present / Future', the University also hosts regular events through its Loudspeaker Orchestra Series, more details of which can be found here.
