News archive

Photographs of a pipa and a hand wearing finger picks

Announcing the 10th Rivers Awards Composition Competition (RACC) 2021

The Shanghai Conservatory of Music has announced the 10th Rivers Awards Composition Competition (RACC). RACC aims to promote extensive exchange between Chinese and Western music, encouraging innovative and explorative composition for Chinese and Western musical instruments, and build a high-end platform to introduce outstanding original musical works to the public. A positive theme that embodies…

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Mozarteum University Salzburg to Host International Symposium Marking ISCM’s Centenary

From 20-22 April 2022, the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria, in cooperation with the Royal Musical Association and the Austrian section of the Internationale Gesellschaft für Neue Musik (the International Society for New Music – ISCM), will host a three-day international conference focused on the centenary of the ISCM. The conference seeks to examine the…

Walter de Schepper (photo byAnna Dorota Władyczka)

Remembering Walter

[Ed. Note: It is with great sadness that we report on the death of Walter De Schepper, who served as ISCM’s Treasurer from 2016 to 2020, on 24 January 2021. Below are some personal reminiscences of Walter by Peter Swinnen, ISCM’s President from 2014 to 2019 as well as a friend and colleague at the…

Walter De Schepper in Beijing (2018) Photo by Anna Dorota Władyczka.

Walter De Schepper (1963-2021)

The ISCM is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Walter de Schepper. Walter was the ISCM’s Treasurer from 2016-2020, and assisted us greatly during a period of significant change. His personal enthusiastic style in meetings drew us into closer accord in relation to our financial planning, and we were also extremely grateful…

John Davis

John Davis is leaving the Australian Music Centre after 32 years

The ISCM has been alerted to the resignation of John Davis from his position of CEO of the Australian Music Centre (AMC).  Over 32 years working for the organization, the last 25 of which he held the position of CEO, John has actively facilitated transformation and fostered strength in the new music sectors across Australia…

Shanghai City skyline

ISCM World New Music Days 2021 Call for Scores Announced

We are pleased to announce the official Call for Works for the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) World New Music Days 2021. Members are invited to submit scores/projects for the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) World New Music Days 2021, taking place in Shanghai and Nanning from September 17 – 20, 2021 (Shanghai)…

ISCM Launches The Virtual Collaborative Series

Starting on November 23, 2020, the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) has launched a new Virtual Collaborative Series. All ISCM Sections and Associate Member Organizations in good standing are invited to submit up to 6 works by composers in their region to be considered for inclusion in this venture. The goal of the ISCM,…

Octavian Nemescu sitting next to a piano.

In Memoriam Octavian Nemescu (1940-2020)

Octavian Nemescu, a name that made history in Romanian music, has left us. He was one of the most original Romanian composers, leaving behind him a benchmark, a unique and unmistakable musical creation. From spectral, archetypal or imaginary music, he burnt with passion for his ideas that he followed without divergence, without compromise. He believed…

Stephan Dunkelman standing outside and holding his jacket on his arm,

In Memoriam Stephan Dunkelman (1956-2020)

Stephan’s spirit possessed an uncommon lightness, suppleness and expansiveness because it was blessed by something larger than life. As a wonderful composer, his music is replete with these qualities. But, Stephan’s gifts were multifold. He was also a wonderful person, highly intelligent, extremely generous, kind, loving, honest and decent while still remaining true to his…

In Memoriam Sukhi Kang (1934-2020)

ISCM Honorary Member Sukhi Kang, a composer who is regarded as a master of contemporary Korean music, died of a chronic disease on 16 August 2020 at dawn, aged 86. Born in 1934, Kang was from Seoul and graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Composition. In 1966, he released Korea’s first electronic music, Feast…