eFlash! 2024-09

2024 AGM — Annual General Meeting / AGA 2024 — Assemblée générale annuelle

Minutes of the 2024 AGM / Procès-verbal de L’AGA 2024

Attendance / Présence

Present (in-person or online) were:

Performance of Prizewinning JTTP 2024 Works

Starting in 2022, the CEC’s Annual General Meetings are “enhanced” with an artistic activity such as a performance or workshop that takes place in parallel to the proceedings. 1[1. Networked live coding performance in parallel to the 2022 AGM; performance by Jean-François Laporte’s on new instruments at the 2023 AGM.] Two of the prizewinning works from JTTP 2024 were performed at the Toronto satellite (CMC’s Ontario/National office) and streamed for those not physically present: Second Prize winner Mikael Meunier-Bisson’s musicfriend before the AGM and following adjournment.

Minutes / Procès-verbal

The meeting began at 15:03 EDT on Wednesday, 28 August 2024. CEC President James Andean chaired the meeting; CEC Secretary Pauline Patie acted as Minutes-Taker.

1. Adoption of the Agenda / Adoption de l’ordre du jour

[1:24] JA presented the Agenda for approval.

PP moved to accept the Agenda as is; CD seconded. The Agenda of the CEC’s 2024 AGM was adopted by general consent.

2. Minutes of the Previous AGM / Adoption du procès-verbal de la dernière AGA

[1:55] The minutes of the 2023 AGM were read by all in attendance.

YG moved to accept the minutes of the 2023 AGM; SC seconded. The minutes of the CEC’s 2023 AGM were adopted by general consent.

3. Business Arising from the Minutes of the Previous AGM / Sujets touchant le procès-verbal de la dernière AGA

[5:08] There was no business arising from the minutes of the 2023 AGM.

4. Board of Directors for 2024–25 / Conseil d’administration pour 2024–2025

[5:50] JC presented the proposed makeup of the CEC Board of Directors for the 2024–25 fiscal year, as per the annual Board nominations procedure that took place in spring 2024, for approval by the membership. With the addition of Board nominees Ana Dall’Ara-Majek and Michael Palumbo, the proposed Board is as follows 2[2. Board members’ two-year terms are indicated in parentheses.]:

• Remaining in the position of President: James Andean (ON/UK, 2023–25)
• Vice-President: Pauline Patie (QC, 2023–25)
• Secretary: Simon Chioini (QC, 2023–25)
• Remaining in the position of Treasurer: Shawn Pinchbeck (AB, 2024–26)
• Members-at-Large: Carey Dodge (BC, 2023–25) Darsha Hewitt (ON/DE, 2024–26), Étienne Mason (QC, 2023–25) and Rick Nance (US/UK, 2023–25), as well as new Board members Ana Dall’Ara-Majek (QC, 2024–26) and Michael Palumbo (ON, 2024–26).

YG moved to accept the Board as presented; KA seconded. The CEC’s Board of Directors was adopted by general consent.

5. President’s Report / Rapport du président

[8:54] JA presented his President’s Report 3[3. Read the text here, or listen to the report (starting at 8:54) in the audio documentation of the AGM.], in which he gave updates on the CEC’s ongoing and recurring annual activities Jeu de temps / Times Play (JTTP) and eContact!, as well as the CEC’s 2020–2024 Strategic Plan. He announced the JTTP 2024 winners and thematic award recipients, many of whom were present at the AGM and were greeted by congratulatory rounds of applause, and gave an overview of activities supported by international concert and residency partners for JTTP 2023 (Sound Days Festival in Liepaja, Latvia; CMMAS in Morelia, Mexico; Akademie der Künste Berlin, Germany; Akousma, in Montréal) and JTTP 2024 (Akousma).

[17:13] Barry Truax was welcomed as the new Patron of the CEC, succeeding Al Mattes, whose contributions were met with profound gratitude from the community. Truax, a distinguished figure in the electroacoustic community and education, expressed his commitment to continue supporting the organization. Kevin Austin was invited to say a few words about Barry following the reports.

[27:00] The AGM also included a solemn moment of remembrance for two of Canada’s most influential figures in electroacoustic music, Francis Dhomont and alcides lanza, who passed away on 28 December 2023 and 17 July 2024, respectively. These losses are deeply felt within the community. James Andean shared personal reflections on his connections with both composers, highlighting how Dhomont’s work profoundly influenced his musical development and how he had the privilege of being a student of lanza. The AGM recognized the importance of acknowledging their contributions to the field and the lasting impact they have had on many. In closing, James Andean thanked everyone who helped organize the meeting, including the technical team at Concordia University, the Ontario branch and Steven Webb for coordinating the satellite event at the Canadian Music Centre in Toronto, with regional director Joseph Glaser.

SC moved to accept the President’s Report as presented; KA seconded. The President’s Report was adopted by general consent.

6. Treasurer’s Report / Rapport du trésorier

[29:10] SP presented his Treasurer’s Report 4[4. Read the text here, or listen to the report (starting at 29:10) in the audio documentation of the AGM.], in which he provided information about the CEC’s financial situation and about grant applications made to the SOCAN Foundation and Canada Council for the Arts, as well as upcoming grant applications to be made by the association.

CD moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented; MP seconded. The Treasurer’s Report was adopted by general consent.

7. Other Reports from the Board and Administration / Autres rapports du conseil d’administration

[40:34] New CEC Patron: Barry Truax. Kevin Austin, founding and legal member of the CEC, addressed the AGM by emphasizing the CEC’s purpose of expanding the community, which is reflected in the creation of multiple thematic awards. He highlighted the uniqueness of JTTP for the younger generation, noting that it allows people to listen to a wide range of works, with nearly 1000 pieces available in Sonus 5[5. JTTP submissions since 2000 constitute ca. 33% of the more than 3000 works currently found in Sonus.], the CEC’s online electroacoustic listening library. Austin acknowledged the invaluable contributions of jef and Yves, describing them as the backbone of the organization and long-time members, and extended his gratitude for their outstanding work. He also congratulated the board on their efforts. Austin further discussed the maturity of both the organization and the electroacoustic community. He expressed his belief that this maturity would lead to new ways of seeing things, ensuring the community’s continuity and leaving a lasting impact on universities and communities alike.

8. Other Business / Autres points

[47:48] Presentation of the Digital North concert series by Steven Webb (Toronto). Steven Webb is planning a new concert series called Digital North, set to take place in Toronto. The aim of this series is to support both emerging Canadian electroacoustic artists and the broader community, showcasing both new works from across the country and significant Canadian electroacoustic compositions from past decades. The inaugural concert is planned for early 2025 and will feature the theme “New Connections”. This event will include the broadcast of two winning compositions from this year’s JTTP 2024 competition, along with original works by emerging and diverse composers from across Canada. Additionally, historic pieces by pioneering Canadian composers, sourced from the Canadian Music Centre’s archives, will be featured. Digital North is envisioned as a pilot project to grow and strengthen the electroacoustic community in Toronto and Ontario, providing a platform to celebrate electroacoustic music across the country. Michael Palumbo (new CEC Board member), who is also involved in the project, hopes to organize a few concerts per year and eventually expand the series to include live streaming, making it accessible worldwide. This concert series is particularly unique and much needed in Toronto, as it focuses specifically on electroacoustic music and sound art, offering a dedicated space for this genre in the city’s cultural landscape.

9. Adjournment / Levée de l’assemblée

[54:04] The Chair of the 2024 AGM (JA) suggested to adjourn. The CEC’s 2024 AGM was consensually adjourned at 16:00 on Wednesday, 28 August 2024.

Minutes for the CEC’s 2024 AGM submitted by CEC Vice-President Pauline Patie on Friday, 2 September 2024.