Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

In an age of rapid environmental, social and technological change, the sounds of our world are noticeably disappearing. These sounds form an essential component in the fabric of our cultures, and the ability to preserve these sonic environments is a necessity. Conference themes include capturing the shifting soundscapes of humanity, vanishing natural environments, impermanence of installation and performance works, virtual sounds in virtual spaces, endangered languages and community collections. Selected Australian professionals and practitioners will present powerful ideas regarding the past and future of our sounds.

Composer and sound artist William Duckworth will deliver the keynote address entitled Endangered Sounds of the Future, with Indigenous curator Liz McNiven delivering the annual Alice Moyle Lecture. Drawing together a wide range of knowledge and experience, conference papers will be presented by curatorial, technical and archival experts, as well as creative and academic practitioners in the sound arts. The speakers include sound recordist Greg Simmons, Aboriginal language linguist Michael Walsh, innovative environmental recording system designer Neil Boucher, Vincent Plush, Kevin Bradley and more.

The 2009 Endangered Sounds conference will be held in the National Library of Australia’s theatre in parallel with the National Film and Sound Archive’s 2009 Sound Week activities. Of special interest is the announcement of the 2009 selection of ten Sounds of Australia for inclusion in the National Registry of Recorded Sound, announced by the Honourable Peter Garrett, Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts at the NFSA on Sound Day, Wednesday 19th August.

For conference registration please see the website: <a href="http://www.asra.asn.au/" target="_blank">www.asra.asn.au</a> or for more information contact Shelly Grant - see contact details above.

Performers: William Duckworth, Liz McNiven, Greg Simmons, Michael Walsh, Neil Boucher, Vincent Plush, Kevin Bradley and more.

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on (02) 6262 1545 or by email to sgrant@nla.gov.au