The Call for Proposals to host SEAMUS 2014 is open.

Hosting a SEAMUS conference draws national attention to an institution and its programs in composition, computer music, and arts technology. The conference offers faculty and ensembles from the host institution opportunities for national-level performances and contact with renowned guest performers. The conference is the focal point of the ASCAP/SEAMUS student composition competition, and each year features a prominent national figure as recipient of the SEAMUS Award.

The deadline for Preliminary Proposals is June 1, 2012, but the best thing to do now is to contact me, Christopher Hopkins, SEAMUS Director of Conferences, to get questions answered and discuss the feasibility of hosting the conference while drafting the proposal.  Although not a requirement, I will be pleased to review drafts of proposals as they develop to ensure they are complete and present the most favorable case.  Once submitted, all preliminary proposals will be reviewed by the Board of Directors which will then invite final proposals, which will respond to any questions the Board may have and which must include a final endorsement from the host institution’s administration.

The Call for Proposals to Host SEAMUS 2014 is here.

The main focus of this issue is the review of the Max Conference held in Brooklyn in October, 2011.  As opposed to many conferences that I have attended (SEAMUS, for instance), this was a more technical event.  The main focus was on programing, gear, and a variety of extensions to the Max environment.  Surprisingly, there was little music played!

Of course, the main focus was on the imminent release of Max 6.  We were able to download a preview demo of the latest upgrade, and it certainly looks exciting.  There are many new features, including a newly designed editor with a tool that allows you to select objects from a list within Max.  The new Gen object appears to have a multitude of functions that enhance speed and portability of Max patches.   Thanks to Lief Ellis, who wrote the proverbial lion’s share of the concert review.

Many of us have used CSound in the past – back in the days when a ‘text-driven’ program was the only option.  The program has continued to evolve, and the latest incarnation comes to us in the form of a plug-in for Ableton Live.  The plug-in is reviewed in this issue, thanks to Mark Zaki.

As usual, there is the Member News, which includes announcements of recent performances, recordings, and other news items.

You can get it here:  www.seamusonline.org/newsletter/2011-4.pdf

The latest issue of the SEAMUS Newsletter is here – a tribute to Max Matthews (with contributions by Jon Appleton, Jean-Claude Risset, and Mari Kimura), and a few other announcements.

You can read it all here: www.seamusonline.org/newsletter/2011-3.pdf

Enjoy!

Anthony Cornicello