About ISCM-Flanders

ISCM is short for International Society for Contemporary Music, an international organisation dedicated to contemporary music and established in 1923. The ISCM is the single-most important international network for the promotion of contemporary music, counting more than 50 members from across the globe. National sections act as independent organisations that contribute actively to the public appearance of contemporary music.

ISCM-Flanders

Eighty years after the establishing of ISCM Belgium, the independent ISCM-Flanders was created. It is a membership organisation with various stakeholders: composers, performers of contemporary music, and all others who are (professionally) active in the field of new music. This includes documentation centres, concert organizers, educational organisations, journalists and scholars.

MATRIX as Flemish delegate

In November 2017, MATRIX took over the activities from ISCM-Flanders and became the official representative of Flanders in the ISCM. In order to maintain the quality and to remain broadly based, the former membership structure of the ISCM was transformed into a dual structure. A broad ‘circle of friends’ is combined with a steering committee, which supports MATRIX in the development of its engagement towards the ISCM.

Friends of ISCM-Flanders

Organisations: BL!NDMAN, ComAV, Concertgebouw Brugge, Cusk Collective, DE SINGEL, Delle Donne Consort, Extended Music Collective, GLOW collective, Festival van Vlaanderen Mechelen - Kempen, Flanders Arts Institute (Kunstenpunt), Goggles, HERMESensemble, Het Collectief, Ictus, I SOLISTI, Koi Collective, Muziekcentrum De Bijloke, Nadar ensemble, Nemø Ensemble, Spectra ensemble, Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen, Transit (Festival20·21), Zwerm

 

Individual partners: Kurt Bertels, Kurt Bikkembergs, Joris Blankaert, Sebastian Bradt, Klaas Coulembier, Boudewijn Cox, Hanne Deneire, Jeroen De Beer, George De Decker, Ward De Jonghe, Marleen Dupont, Yves Knockaert, Kristof Lauwers, Aurélie Lierman, Jeroen Malaise, Thomas Moore, Frederik Neyrinck, Stefan Prins, Filip Rathé, Pieter Schuermans, Johan Sluys, Karel Stulens, Peter Swinnen, Bart Vanhecke, Jasper Vanpaemel, Christel Vastenavont, Bram Van Camp, Joris van der Herten, Benjamin Van Esser, Heleen Van Haegenborgh, Luc Van Hove, Maarten Van Ingelgem, Jan Van Landeghem, Annelies Van Parys, Jenna Vergeynst, Maya Verlaak, Obe Vermeulen, Petra Vermote, Eveline Vervliet, Wynold Verwey, Dirk Veulemans.

Core tasks

As a branch of the ISCM our core tasks include launching an annual Call for Works for the purpose of the World Music Days and the representation of Flanders in the General Assembly of the ISCM. Following on from our basic activities, we actively search for opportunities to reinforce the music sector in Flanders and to promote the work of Flemish composers. These efforts are translated into sector meetings and study days, facilitating collaborations or cooperating in publications or presentations. Through a specialized newsletter, MATRIX ensures a good communication with the broad field of new music in Flanders.

ISCM World Music Days

The annual meeting of the ISCM, known as the World (New) Music Days, traditionally takes place during an elaborate contemporary music festival and travels to a new country each year. The World Music Days are both a perfect meeting place and an exhibition space for anyone involved in contemporary music around the globe, including organizations, performers and composers. It is a ten-day programme full of concerts, encounters, meetings and conferences. In addition to being an excellent occasion for those involved to present themselves and their local new music practices to an international audience, the World Music Days have proven to be an ideal context to efficiently establish professional contacts.

Between 25 October and 4 November 2012, the World Music Days were hosted by ISCM-Flanders in the cities of Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven and Mons.