Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States
Encyclopedia
The Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) is a nonprofit US based organization founded in 1984 which aims to promote electro-acoustic music. In particular, the organization aims:
SEAMUS was formed in 1984 as a U.S. chapter of the International Confederation of Electroacoustic Music (ICEM
) which had been formed 2 years prior in Bourges, France. Jon Appleton
suggested to Barry Schrader
the formation of such a chapter while serving as the U.S. representative to the ICEM. SEAMUS is a non-profit national organization of composers, performers, and teachers of electroacoustic music
representing every part of the United States and virtually every musical style. Significant supporters have included California Institute of the Arts
(CalArts), ASCAP, and The Alexander Family Foundation.
In 1987, the society began giving the SEAMUS Lifetime Achievement Award
to acknowledge people who have made significant contributions to electro-acoustic music. The award is presented at the SEAMUS National Conference, held annually. SEAMUS has also, in cooperation with The University of Texas, established a national archive for electro-acoustic literature and compositions. The society also established EAMM (SEAMUS Electro-Acoustic Music Month) which is a worldwide celebration of electronic, computer and electroacoustic music which occurs in November of every year.
- To encourage the composition and performance of electro-acoustic music
- To develop a network for technical information and support
- To promote concerts and radio broadcasts of electro-acoustic music both in the US and abroad
- To create an exchange of information through newsletters and other means of communication
- To establish and maintain a national archive and information center for electro-acoustic music
- To attract a wide diversity of members and supporters
- To advocate licensing and copyright concerns
SEAMUS was formed in 1984 as a U.S. chapter of the International Confederation of Electroacoustic Music (ICEM
Icém
Icém is a municipality in the northern part of the state of São Paulo in Brazil. It is also known as Princesa do Vale, or "Princess of the Valley." Icem is situated near the important urban centers of .-Transportation:Icém is served by two important highways, the BR-153, and SP-322...
) which had been formed 2 years prior in Bourges, France. Jon Appleton
Jon Appleton
Jon Howard Appleton is an American composer and teacher who was a pioneer in electro-acoustic music. His earliest compositions in the medium, e.g. Chef d'Oeuvre and Newark Airport Rock attracted attention because they established a new tradition some have called programmatic electronic music...
suggested to Barry Schrader
Barry Schrader
Barry Schrader is an American composer specializing in electro-acoustic music. His compositions for electronics, dance, film, video, mixed media, live/electro-acoustic music combinations, and real-time computer performance have been presented throughout the world...
the formation of such a chapter while serving as the U.S. representative to the ICEM. SEAMUS is a non-profit national organization of composers, performers, and teachers of electroacoustic music
Electroacoustic music
Electroacoustic music originated in Western art music during its modern era following the incorporation of electric sound production into compositional practice. The initial developments in electroacoustic music composition during the mid-20th century are associated with the activities of composers...
representing every part of the United States and virtually every musical style. Significant supporters have included California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
(CalArts), ASCAP, and The Alexander Family Foundation.
In 1987, the society began giving the SEAMUS Lifetime Achievement Award
SEAMUS Lifetime Achievement Award
The SEAMUS Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledges the important contributions of its recipients to the field of electro-acoustic music. The recipient is selected by the Board of Directors of SEAMUS...
to acknowledge people who have made significant contributions to electro-acoustic music. The award is presented at the SEAMUS National Conference, held annually. SEAMUS has also, in cooperation with The University of Texas, established a national archive for electro-acoustic literature and compositions. The society also established EAMM (SEAMUS Electro-Acoustic Music Month) which is a worldwide celebration of electronic, computer and electroacoustic music which occurs in November of every year.
Other International Electroacoustic Organisations
- ACMA — Australasian Computer Music AssociationAustralasian Computer Music AssociationThe Australasian Computer Music Association is a nonprofit Australia and New Zealand based organisation founded in 1989, which aims to promote electroacoustic and computer music...
- CIME/ICEM — Confédération Internationale de Musique Electroacoustique / International Confederation of Electroacoustic Music
- DeGeM — Deutsche Gesellschaft für Elektroakustische Musik e.V. (Germany)
- DIEM — Danish Institute of Electroacoustic Music
- EMS — Elektroakustisk Musik i Sverige (Sweden)
- ICMA — International Computer Music Association
- HELMCA — Hellenic Electroacoustic Music Composers Association (Greece)
- IRCAM — Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (France)
- NEAR — Netherlands Electro-Acoustic Repertoire Centre
- NOTAM — Norsk nettverk for Teknologi, Akustikk og Musikk
- SAM — Sound and MusicSound and MusicSound and Music is a development agency promoting and supporting contemporary music in the United Kingdom. It was established in 2008 from the merger of four existing bodies working in the contemporary music field: the Society for the Promotion of New Music, the British Music Information Centre,...
(UK) - SEAMUS — Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States