Ernest Berk

The Lost Voices of Electronic Music History

Symposium and Publication
University of Huddersfield, UK
3-4 July 2025

The dominant narratives of electronic music tend to centre around institutions including the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, radio studios such as WDR (Germany), INA-GRM (France), PRES (Poland), and NHK (Japan) as well as Universities including Princeton and Columbia, and the activity of composers associated with them. While their contribution to electronic music culture and history cannot be denied, the shadow of these institutions looms large enough that it can obscure those who did not benefit from such institutional support.

The University of Huddersfield and the Centre for Research in New Music (CeReNeM), as part of the AHRC-funded Ernest Berk: An Expressionist Outsider project, are hosting a symposium to discuss alternative or competing narratives in historical electronic music, with an intention to showcase lost, marginalised, or unexplored voices, from 1945-1990.

Timeline:

Registration and Fee:

There is no registration fee. The organisers will cover the costs of presenters accommodation for one night and a collective evening meal. No costs will be covered for non-presenters. Travel and any additional costs will need to be covered by participants.

Committee:

Prof. Monty Adkins
Dr Sam Gillies

If you have any questions please contact Dr Sam Gillies on s.gillies@hud.ac.uk with LVEMH in the subject line.