Conference Home

• Sir John Tusa: State of the Arts; Arts of the State
  
• Prof Frank Furedi: Is there a place for Truth in Music?
  
• James Fenton: Words and Music, Words About Music (coming soon)
  
• Roger Vignoles: Presidential Address 2008
• Incoming Wardens' Addresses

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Speakers at the 2008 Conference included the former Managing Director of the Barbican Centre, Sir John Tusa (right), who gave the keynote address, State of the Arts; Arts of the State, and Frank Furedi, Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent, who asked Is there a place for Truth in Music?. Roger Vignoles reflected on his year as ISM President 2007-08, and the poet and critic James Fenton spoke about the links between words and music.

The ISM’s 2008 Annual Conference, chaired by the Society's President for 2007-08, Roger Vignoles, was held at the Palace Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire on 8-11 April, with the Annual Dinner taking place at Chatsworth House (left).  The theme was Commanding Performance.

The ISM's Annual Conference is the occasion when all sections of the Society come together: Musicians in Education, Performers & Composers, and Private Teachers, to address important issues facing the music profession.  As well as hearing from esteemed experts in their field - this year including the distinguished accompanist Roger Vignoles (ISM President 2007-08), and the poet James Fenton (both below) - participants enjoyed socialising together at evening events.

On Tuesday 8 April, ISM President Roger Vignoles opened the conference before handing over to Sir John Tusa who delivered his keynote speech.  Later that afternoon, the sociologist Professor Frank Furedi examined the idea of Truth in Music in his address. Pianist David Owen Norris outlined his 'Complete Theory of Performance': that it should Surprise or Satisfy. In the evening, tenor Mark Padmore and lutenist Liz Kenny performed a set of lute songs and solos by Dowland at a concert in St John's Church, before Mark Padmore and Roger Vignoles were joined by string quartet from Chethams School of Music for a performance of On Wenlock Edge by Vaughan Williams.

Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 May saw the annual meetings of the Society's specialist sections: Performers & Composers, Music in Education and Private Teachers.  The incoming Wardens of each section - Raphael Terroni, Rachelle Goldberg and Peter Wild respectively - gave speeches outlining their ideas for the coming year.

The ISM's Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday 10 May, where the Society's Annual Report and Accounts for 2006-07 were adopted.  In addition a Special Resolution adding a new Article to the Society's Memorandum of Association (see March edition of Music Journal) was passed.  Roger Vignoles reflected on his year as ISM President 2007-08 in his address that afternoon.

Participants visited the Frank Matcham-designed Buxton Opera House on Wednesday 9 April to watch a production of Doctor in the House, and the conference ended on Thursday 10 April at Chatsworth House, where a visit to the gardens and a private tour of the house preceded the Annual Dinner.  The Chief Executive of the Hallé Orchestra, John Summers, spoke after dinner about the orchestra's 150-year history, and the music historian and broadcaster, Roderick Swanston, took over from Roger Vignoles as ISM President for 2008-09 (see media release).