About the ISCM
The International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) is an international network of members from around fifty countries, devoted to the promotion and presentation of new and contemporary music. Sound and Music represents the British Section of the ISCM and supports British composers to have work performed at the annual ISCM World New Music Days Festival. This takes place in a different member nation each year, most recently in New Zealand, Estonia, and China.
World New Music Days Festival
The prestigious annual World New Music Days Festival is the principal vehicle through which the ISCM pursues its mission, which can be described as a "platform for musical exchange and a showcase of world contemporary music without prejudice or bias on differences in musical expressions, styles, genres or media". It is organised and funded by the member Sections (countries) each year, and acts as a meeting place for organisations, performers and composers from around the world.
The festival takes places on consecutive days, however, the host nation has some flexibility in determining the individual themes that drive the programming of the festival, either presenting a showcase of activity from around the world, or applying other criteria for the selection and programming of works.
One composer from each member country has the opportunity to have their work performed and attend, after applying via their country's section and being selected from a shortlist by the associate member's panel.
ISCM World New Music Days Festival 2023 will take place in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, from 24 November to 3 December 2023. The Icelandic Section will be represented by Ingibjörg Ýr, with her piece, Balaena.
The ISCM World New Music Days Festival 2024 will take place in the Faroe Islands, from 23 to 30 June 2024.