Music lovers descend on USQ Springfield
The University of Southern Queensland’s (USQ) Springfield campus will play host to musicians from around the world during three days of concerts and discussion at the First International Conference of Messiaen Studies from March 29 to April 1. The Conference will be a three day academic conference and concert series to celebrate the centenary of Olivier Messiaen’s birth. This event is organised in association with the Royal Music Society (London), the French foundation Olivier Messiaen (Paris), and The Public Memory Research Centre (USQ). The conference has welcomed academic papers by musicologists, composers, scholars of electronic music, ornithologists and theologians – representing the various disciplines contributed to by Olivier Messiaen. Conference Coordinator Dr Judith Crispin said many delegates would travel from Asia, Europe and around Australia to take part in the conference. “Each academic session will be chaired by one of the four guest speakers – each an internationally prestigious musicologist,” Dr Cripsin said. “Concerts of Messiaen’s music will be given by Larry Sitsky and Michael Kieran-Harvey, two of Australia’s most highly acclaimed pianists, as well as by music academic staff from USQ and Queensland Conservatorium. “The conference will involve participation by USQ Springfield administration, Ipswich City Council, USQ School of Creative Arts, Music academic staff and students, Education City (EC), The Public Memory Research Centre, USQ Faculty of the Arts, Foundation Olivier Messiaen (France) and The Royal Music Society.” She said the conference was a celebration of the acclaimed French composer, organist and ornithologist Olivier Messiaen who would have turned 100 years of age this year, if he were still alive. “Messiaen found birdsong fascinating and believed birds to be the greatest musicians. “He considered himself as much an ornithologist (study of birds) as a composer. “He spent a great deal of time travelling the world to research birdsongs and even spent time here in Queensland. “Religion also featured heavily in his works and he intended to express his religious ideas through his compositions.” Dr Crispin said the conference had five main themes: Messiaen Musical Language, Messiaen in Australia, Messiaen and Ornithology, Messiaen and Spirituality and The Legacy of Olivier Messiaen. “An array of knowledgeable speakers will address these themes and provide an interesting insight into the world of Messiaen studies. The First International Conference of Messiaen Studies will take place at the University of Southern Queensland Springfield campus from March 29 to April 1 in the USQ Auditorium on Sinnathamby Boulevard, Education City. All concerts will be held at the Ipswich Civic Hall at the corner of Limestone and Nicholas Streets, Ipswich. For further information please contact Dr Judith Crispin on (07) 4631 1113 or email crispin@usq.edu.au . Concert information: 30 March 2008
31 March 2008
Concert Prices:
Conference prices:
Media Contact: Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979 
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