Symposium on 21st Century Music Practice: Sound and Vision

Date: 20 April 2017
Place: Edric Hall, 103 Borough Road, London South Bank University

This call seeks 150-word abstract submissions (by 21 March) for a one-day symposium, on the connection between sound and vision in twenty first century music practices in the context of 21st century music practice. We are inviting musicians, researchers, thinkers and talkers to take part in debate on the multiple dynamics of sound and the visual in a range of twenty-first century music practices, from performance and sound tracking to interactive music technologies. Hereby, we wish to investigate not only the dynamics between music and spectacle, in terms of characterisation and narrative development, but also in terms of creation and interaction, bringing new questions regarding the relationships between sound and vision in music practices.

Intersecting themes that the symposium seeks to explore:

• Music performance, and the spectacle of music performance, including musical theatre. In which ways do music venues and dance spaces utilise visual elements to enhance the musical experience? How does mediated performance, such as music video or the music biopic, impact on the experience and understanding of music performance?
• Music and sound design. How are the dramatic, cultural and emotional dimensions musically achieved in contemporary visual media settings, including games and internet devices?
• Visual music interfaces, employed in the creation, manipulation and playback of recorded music, such as sequencer software and DAWs, musical games and mobile apps. How does the design of the visual elements of these interfaces affect contemporary music practices?

Please send your proposal abstract by Tuesday 21 March to:

Rob Toulson [email protected]
Prof Hillegonda C Rietveld [email protected]

Accepted submissions will be invited to give 15-minute presentations as part of a panel to stimulate debate at the Sound and Vision Symposium at London South Bank University on 20 April 2017.

This event is made possible by the 21st Century Music Practice Research Network, with:

• Sonic Culture Research Group, Creative and Digital Economy Institute, and School of Arts and Creative Industries, London South Bank University
• London College of Music, University of West London
• Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design, University of Westminster