At the dawn of the 21st Century, the range of music that we have access to is greater than it has ever been, through the enormous technological advances of the 20th Century.

This means that a definition of what "contemporary music" might be is difficult, as composers are being influenced by more kinds of sounds - musical and other - than ever before. Performers are presenting contemporary music in many different k inds of environments to reach their audiences, and there is now a continual redefinition of the relationships which exist between composers, performers and the audience.

The International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) is an important international network of members from around fifty countries, devoted to the promotion and presentation of contemporary music - the music of our time. ISCM has had a distinguished history. From its foundation in Salzburg in 1922, a receptiveness to aesthetic and stylistic diversity has been a characteristic of the Society. Today more than ever with the incredible diversity which exists in contemporary musical expression around the world, this ideal is still strongly supported by ISCM members.

Each year, ISCM presents the World Music Days Festival , hosted by one of ISCM's national sections, which provides a feast of contemporary music across a broad range of contemporary practice. 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.

The ISCM World Music Days Festival also provides an opportunity for the ISCM members to meet in their annual congress, to discuss issues affecting contemporary music and matters of mutual concern.

ISCM National Sections are independent organisations which co-ordinate the endeavours of furthering contemporary music in a country. ISCM members receive the following benefits:

• Participation of National Section delegates in the annual ISCM General Assembly, make proposals to the Assembly and vote;
• The opportunity to submit up to six (6) works to the organisers of the annual ISCM World Music Days Festival for consideration. Selected works are considered for inclusion in the Festival program, and are promoted by the Society, encouraging performance and broadcast nationally;
• National Section delegates to the General Assembly receive support from the host country for accommodation and entrance to World Music Days Festival concerts; Copies of the World New Music Magazine, produced by the Society;

• access to contacts, information and networking opportunities across the Society;
• the opportunity to develop relationships which span international borders and provide an overview and an understanding of the international contemporary music scene; and
• the opportunity to participate in the largest international society exclusively representing contemporary music!

Other categories of ISCM membership also exist:

• Associate Membership may be provided to organisations, with a selection of the above benefits included in this category of membership
• Honorary Members are elected by the General Assembly; Honorary Membership is given to individuals who have achieved particular distinction in furthering contemporary music.

I. FULL ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

The Full Associate Member of the ISCM represents contemporary music life in a smaller geographical region of a country or in a country which cannot sustain a full National Membership or where there is already a National Section. Membership rights:
• 1) participation in ISCM General Assembly
• 2) stay & per diem for 1st delegate at ISCM General Assembly
• 3) up to six pieces can be submitted by the member to the Selection Committee of ISCM WMD (free of charge)
• 4) access to ISCM Network
• 5) participation in ISCM Events

II. AFFILIATED ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

The Affiliated Membership is for smaller organizations that represent composers or promote contemporary music in a local context (e.g. local area or city). They may either be smaller organizations or have a more limited scope of activities. Membership rights:
• 1) participation in ISCM General Assembly
• 2) up to three pieces can be submitted by the member to the Selection Committee of ISCM WMD (free of charge)
• 3) access to ISCM Network
• 4) participation in ISCM Events

III. ALLIED ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

The Allied Membership is for individual ensembles, new music presenters, broadcasters, university schools of music, conservatories, composer collectives, etc. These are organizations that want access to the ISCM Network and involvement in ISCM Events, but would not usually attend WMD festivals. Membership rights:
• 1) participation in ISCM General Assembly
• 2) access to ISCM Network
• 3) participation in ISCM Events

IV. CORPORATE ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

For companies and corporations that want to support the activities of the ISCM on an annual basis. Corporate members are listed on the website and provided with basic exposure in some ISCM publications. Membership rights:
• 1) participation in ISCM General Assembly
• 2) access to ISCM Network
• 3) participation in ISCM Events
• 4) corporate visibility in ISCM publications and on the website

According to the Statutes of the ISCM the following applies:

Article 13

1) National Sections shall be admitted to the Society by a resolution of the Society's General Assembly, after an application has been filed by the Section.

2) The application shall be addressed in writing to the General Secretary of the Society and must be submitted at least two months before the beginning of the General Assembly.

3) The application must be accompanied by:

• a) a copy of the statutes in force, with an official or notarial attestation concerning the date and place of their adoption;
• b) a list of all current officers;
• c) a report on the activities during the last two years preceding the application for admission; the activities may have preceded the date referred to in sub-para.a);
• d) finally, a declaration that the right to bear the name: (National Section of) Internationale Gesellschaft für Neue Musik - IGNM, or Société Internationale pour la Musique Contemporaine - SIMC, or International Society for Contemporary Music - ISCM, will be renounced in the event of the termination of membership.

Article 13a

1) Associate Members shall be admitted to the Society by a resolution of the Society's Executive Committee, after an application has been filed by the respective organisation.

2) The application shall be addressed in writing to the General Secretary of the Society.

3) The application must be accompanied by:

• a) the documents referred to in Art.13 paragraph 3 sub-paras.a) through d), according to the status of the respective organisation;
• b) if possible, a reasoned recommendation for the admission to the Society issued by the National Section in whose country (Art.10 paragraph 3) the organisation has its headquarters; if such recommendation cannot be provided, the General Secretary shall obtain a written opinion from the National Section concerned before the decision regarding the application for admission is made; availability and contents of such an opinion shall not be binding upon the Executive Committee of the Society in its decision-making process.

Further information regarding this important international network may be obtained from:

ISCM Secretariat
c/o Music Center the Netherlands
Rokin 111 1012 KN Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31-20-3446060
Fax.: +31-20-6733588
Email: info@iscm.org