1991:2 - Universitetet i Bergen

KOMITEINNSTILLING OM ET NORSK
MUSIKKTEKNOLOGISK SENTER
A NORWEGIAN CENTRE FOR MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
In the spring of 1991 the committee for the establishment of a Norwegian
cenrre for music technology presented a revised report to the Ministry
of Culiure and to the Minise of Church, Education and Research. The
comrnillee has been chaired by Arvid Vollsncs, Unive~sity of Oslo.
Modem eIectro-acoustic technology has become an integrated part of
the currenl music scene, making up a natural and important part of
practically all types of modcrn music.
What we see on the surrace is Ihe use of a wide range of new
elecmnic instrurnents and auxiliaries appearing in the market and on
slage. Hewever, the technology alsa represents a fundamenla1 challenge
- nestheticnlly, professionall y and socially:
Cornposerc of all kinds of music are today making us¢ of the new
technology, bur they have not had professional training, and necd the
opportuniry to lem more about Phe technologicd possibilitios.
There is a profcssionaI interest in doing reasearch in this typc of
music and in psycho-acoustics, The pedagogical element needs to be
strengthened. At present interested young people know more about it
than teachers and pedagogical institutions. Finally, this is a field where
modem comrnunication technology may make an important contribution.
since elcctmnic music may be accessed via nctworks regardIess of
distances.
There is a large porential in this technology, which should be exploitcd
fully. to the advantnge of all music rnilieus in Norway. The centre
would coordinating Norwegian expertise and competence in order to
take charge of the expansive development and to partake in deciding
how it shauld influence the music milieus.
Norwegian musical and artistic competence need to be strengthened
in order to preserve national characteristics. Norway may welI be the
only European country which does not have a single dedicated studio
for composers who wish to work wiih electro-acoustic technology.
In order to achieve the best results it is importank to invcst in
equipmcnt and develop knowledge and ideas. A Norwegian centrc for
music technology would draw on Norwegian expertise in modem music
technology, organize courses and education, coordinate a Norwegian
nctwork of kaowIedge and help creatc Norwegian contemporary music.
The committee proposes that the centre be esiablished in Oslo, to
facilitate the cooperate with 0th centres that are concerned with new
information technofogy. The proposed centre should have a minimum
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