2nd Workshop on Philosophy of Human+Computer Music

Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural event, PhD researcher Tom Hewitt of the OU’s Music Department is co-convening the Royal Musical Association’s Music and Philosophy Study Group’s 2nd Workshop on Philosophy of Human+Computer Music, to be held at the University of Sheffield on 27^th May 2015.

This workshop series is a valuable addition to scholarship in this under-theorised field of musico-philosophy. On the musical side, fundamental issues raised by the production and reception of this music are often obscured in the literature by a focus on technical details of system construction or function. Meanwhile, philosophical work on music is typically focused on acoustic instrumental/vocal works, and arguably has yet fully to engage with the challenges raised by current movements in human+computer music. This is especially the case when human+computer music does not conform to the established work-concept and/or pitch-based structures.

The organisers are very pleased that the event is being run again under the aegis of the prestigious Royal Musical Association’s Music and Philosophy Study Group. The call for papers is now out, with a deadline for the submission of abstracts set for 27^th April 2015. Details of the call can be found here on the RMA MPSG’s website. A report on last year’s event is available here. The Open University is further represented at the workshop by Dr. David Roden who lectures in the Philosophy Department and who will be chairing one of the discussion sessions.

Tom is one of the Arts Faculty’s ‘CHASE scholars’ whose research is being funded by the CHASE Doctoral Training Partnership, of which the OU is a constituent institution. CHASE has generously provided some financial support to this workshop.