In a continuation of online learning and adaptation over the past few months, the ANU School of Music and College of Engineering and Computer Science are jointly hosting the Australasian Computer Music Association conference for 2020, kicking off online this Friday 3 July through to Friday 10 July.

The inaugural gathering of all things research and artistic progress in computer and electronic music, will this year include a piece by second year Composition student, Lynden Bassett, which explores communication and miscommunication, performed by a web of improvisatory communicative links.

“I’m presenting a composition I wrote while participating in the ANU Laptop Ensemble last year. I’m very excited and grateful to be involved in this capacity alongside other creators and professionals. I’m very lucky to have taken part in that ensemble – it was my first time working with synthesis and computers as instruments and as such it’s a big part of the reason I was able to apply,” says Lynden.

The theme for this year’s conference is Inclusion and will highlight the diverse range of contributors to Australia’s computer and electronic music culture, but may not normally attend an academic conference.

“Studying composition has been one of the most motivating things I’ve done as a student. I think this is because of the intersection of musical study, humanities approaches, and self-reflection that composition at the ANU entails. This is right at the centre of my interests.

“Tutors at the School of Music have played a significant role in this, as they’re passionate about their subjects and generous with their time, and really push for us to extend ourselves.

“I’m excited by learning new approaches, theories, methods and things like that, and I feel that as new content and new projects arise throughout my degree, I’ll be able to broaden my perspective and my experience, which is something that I’m looking forward to. Beyond the degree, I’m looking forward to continuing to develop my skills, and the prospect of higher degree research.”

Each day, the conference will premiere a playlist on YouTube at 8am, a paper session at 2pm. and a concert at 8pm. Tune in to also see keynote presentations by Bridget Chappell of the Melbourne Sound School--an artist working on unceded Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung country, and Eve Klein--an award-winning composer, mezzo soprano, sound artist and academic at the University of Queensland.

View the full ACMC 2020: Inclusion program via their schedule page.

Concerts and talks will take place on the ACMC YouTube Channel.

Q&A sessions and discussion will take place on the ACMC Discord Channel with support for text and voice interaction.

For daily updates throughout the conference, sign up to the ACMA Mailing List, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.