The 65th National Conference of the College Music Society
As travel again becomes feasible, we must weigh our investments of time, energy, money, and mindspace if we are to earn dividends that outpace the cost of being away from our home institutions and from those we love. I’d like to make an argument for attending The College Music Society’s 65th National Conference as an investment in connectedness, community, and difference-making.
Eric Hung and his star-studded Program Committee composed of Anthony Branker, Carl DuPont, Amanda Soto, and Mihoko Watanabe have shaped our Long Beach conference as one that will open-up the lens on the question Whose Music Matters?
A collaborative Trotter Lecture/Performance by composer/pianist Jon Jang – whose artistry and activism have focused their energies on giving a musical voice to histories that have otherwise been silenced – and saxophonist/flutist/erhu jazz artist Francis Wong will push the boundaries on CMS norms as they unpack musical practice and cultural histories of Asian-Americans through the fusion of free jazz and scholarly presentation.
The ATMI lecture will be delivered by three-time ASCAP Film and Television Music Award recipient, Jeff Rona. As a composer of music for film, he has collaborated with Hans Zimmer, Philip Glass, Ridley Scott, and Steven Spielberg. Credits for music composed for video games include God of War 3, Far Cry 4, Transformers, and Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite. A passionate protector of animal rights and global ecology, Rona composed music for the landmark Rob Stewart documentary film Sharkwater; accredited for playing a central role in the near global banning of shark finning.
Our gathering will feature a panel presentation by the Presidential Task Force, whose challenge has been to examine the question: How might we imagine a bold future for music in higher education that is centered on equity, relevance, and creativity? CMS committee and council presentations by the Committee for Academic Citizenship (CMS Equity and Inclusivity Project: Transforming Musical Experience in Academe), Committee for Career Development and Entrepreneurship (Career Development Collaborations for Hybrid Environments), Council At-Large (Innovations and Barriers in Music Therapy Curriculum), Council for Ethnomusicology (World Music Ensembles and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Intersections), and (of particular interest to me) the Student Advisory Council (Amplifying the Student Voice: Participation, Involvement, and Agency). CMS scholars and makers will deliver panel discussions, workshops, demonstrations, presentations, performances, ePosters, and student research. Plans are in-place to tap into Long Beach’s regional talent, with performances by local artists Los Cambaleche, praCh ly, and Kelly Caballero. And we will again connect with one another through Dine-Arounds, Affinity Groups, and the informal meetings that have proven to build our professional networks and gain us lifelong friendships.
When asked what excited him about our time together in Long Beach, Eric Hung said, “Offering performances and presentations on a wide variety of classical, traditional and popular genres, the Long Beach conference features guest presenters that have used music to build community, heal, entertain, and fight for justice in California. Another highlight is our collaboration with CSU-Long Beach—faculty and students from its Bob Cole Conservatory of Music will perform works by several CMS composers. New to this year’s conference is the Emerging Topic Discussions, which will provide space for attendees to discuss issues that have arisen in the past few months. We, too, are excited for the return of the CMS Choir.”
I am grateful to Eric and the Program Committee for their vision and volunteerism.
As many will witness, CMS conference success is inseparable with the year-round efforts of CMS Director of Professional Activities, Peter Park. Peter’s job falls at the intersection of bringing to life the vision of the Program Committee and navigating the complexities of logistics, finances, and schedules. And while Program Committees turnover each year, Peter’s leadership remains the constant for success.
Amidst his planning, I asked Peter what excited him about our 2022 conference, to which he replied, “I appreciate the convenient location of our newly-renovated conference hotel, with a wonderful performance hall right across the street, and many excellent restaurants within walking distance. When the program committee met in Long Beach last February, we found the sunshine, local flavors, Pacific Ocean, and relaxed atmosphere all very compelling reasons to return. For those on a budget, be sure to check out the “Show Your Badge” discounts made available to conference attendees (a link can be found under “Maps & Resources” here). And, for those who are able, consider extending your stay for a day or two before or after the conference to explore the area and enjoy what Long Beach has to offer.”
When you see Peter sprinting across the exhibit hall floor, please take a moment to express your gratitude.
If you’ve not yet registered, we hope you will. Registration remains open through August 11.
It is with endless enthusiasm that I watch the 2023 Program Committee envision our Miami conference as one that celebrates diverse musical traditions, features local and regional art forms, foregrounds improvised musics, and spotlights scholarship that illuminates the significant contributions of local artists, musicians, and scholars. Guided by Program Committee Chair, Mihoko Watanabe, Scholarship Chair, Mayco Santaella, Performance Chair, Gabriel Alegria, Composition Chair, Jeff Nytch, and 2024 Program Committee Chair Designate, Rachel Roberts, CMS’ 66th National Conference should prove to be the most innovative, inclusive, and playful conferences to date. I’m already pumped.
Applications for CMS’ 2023 International Conference scheduled for July 2–10 in the Baltic capitals of Vilnius, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; and Tallinn, Estonia remain open until 12 noon Mountain Time / 2 pm Eastern Time on Thursday, July 14. The conference planning team, guided by Baltic music expert Heather MacLaughlin Garbes, is assembling a remarkable program that highlights the rich musical tradition, history, and culture of this special region. While some might be hesitant about visiting the Baltics due to the atrocities being committed in nearby Ukraine, travel within the conference area currently remains unaffected, and our local colleagues have expressed that they are excited to host us next summer. CMS will, of course, continue to monitor world events, as the health and safety of attendees is our foremost priority.
It is my hope that you are enjoying these summer months and finding your sweet spot of music making, research, and play.
Thanks for joining the conversation,
Mark Rabideau
President, The College Music Society
Associate Dean for Faculty and Student Affairs, College of Arts & Media
University of Colorado Denver