CoMA - a brief history
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On 1 January 2003, the merger long planned between the two regional music foundations
Musik i Skåne and Musik i Kronoberg finally came about. The terms of reference
established for the new regional company, Musik i Syd, as of 25 September 2002,
state the following: "Contemporary art music is to be given a clear and specific place
in the company's operational concept. The activities previously pursued in Skåne and
Kronoberg are to be continued. A special department for contemporary music is to be established in Växjö, under its own name…".
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Thus, as of 1 January 2003, CoMA is a reality. Two members of staff, an artistic/operative
manager and a producer, have embarked on the task of making CoMA an active, vigorous
centre for contemporary art music. Besides its own means of production, the centre has
at its disposal Musik i Syd's economic management resources as well as certain marketing
support, clerical services and maintenance, etc.
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CoMA developed out of a prolonged period of cooperation between the Media Artes
cultural association and the former county music department in Växjö, Musik i
Kronoberg. Increasingly supported by Musik i Kronoberg, Media Artes, with its
innovative approach and flow of ideas, had been steadily growing since the early
1980s until it eventually burst the formal boundaries for what characterises a
non-profit association. Thanks to the efforts of all concerned, the conditions
have now been created for further expansion: the 'burden' has been shared out
and roles have been more clearly defined. As a result, by assuming a greater
responsibility for the joint work previously done by Musik i Kronoberg and the
Media Artes association, CoMA has been able to launch its activities and achieve
a high level of production without unnecessary delay. Cooperation between CoMA
and Media Artes will continue but the two bodies will now have more specific
roles. Media Artes, which in light of its more idealistic, non-profit structure
was finding it increasingly difficult to live up to the steadily expanding
role it had taken upon itself to act as a hub in the contemporary art music
scene in southern Sweden, is now returning to its earlier task of concentrating
more or less exclusively on a strong, forceful concert programme. Operations
may thus be summarised as follows:
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An extensive range of concerts featuring freelance musicians and ensembles (in collaboration with Media Artes) |
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The operation and maintenance of the Blomdahl Studio: an electro-accoustic production studio for professional composers but also for teaching courses (in collaboration with Media Artes) |
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Production: preparation and organisation of the former Växjö Electronic Music Festival, now the CoMA Festival: Art Music for the Future (in collaboration with Media Artes) |
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Educationally developed production of contemporary music for pre-schools and primary schools. |
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The commissioning of new works |
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CD production |
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Cooperation with Växjö University: composition classes, master classes, courses and seminars |
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Joint ventures, contact building and networking at both national and international level |
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Co-production with other art forms, including freelance groups, dance and poetry, and with the Italienska Palatset art commune: visual art, EA/video courses, etc. |
In addition to the above, CoMA also runs a project programme involving two
ensembles in residence and two composers in residence as well
as concert organisers. This undertaking is based on two independent
production groups offering a carefully prepared integral concept, a
modus operandi that reflects CoMA's ideological, long-term perspective.
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Media Artes' wide range of activities over many years has given it an insight into the
untapped potential found in the Swedish contemporary art music scene, a potential
that is, however, difficult to harness. Composers and musicians in this sphere tend
to display a brand of individualism that does not necessarily or automatically promote
the spread of the music as such. In other words, contemporary art music is in dire need
of open channels of communication with the world around it: a reliable marketing approach
that takes an educational perspective and is able to attract, not least, the younger
generation. At the same time, the music scene contains a vital potential in the form
of the concert organiser - a communicative bridge and perhaps the most important link
in the chain. This enthusiast, always strongly motivated and committed, does not, however,
receive enough support of the right kind, either financially or practically.
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All this has given rise to a growing ambition to develop a contemporary art music centre
in the form of CoMA - working under the auspices of the Musik i Syd company network to
bring together all those with an active interest in this music, to initiate, support and
establish ties, to provide a centre point around which contemporary art music may revolve
and expand, given the proper conditions.
(TL 03 07 09)
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