In the 21st century music has become a ubiquitous art form where popular consumption can drastically alter established traditions of music. This century offers people a consumption that moves beyond the music of specific areas, nations, peoples, genres, etc instead offering listeners, players and composers a smorgasbord of opportunity. In this talk we will explore – briefly – the materials that make music, the heritage of music making inside culture, sustainable development, embodiment, identity, family, politics, technology and desire. 

I hope that bringing these ideas to the front of our discussions at the conference that we will find space for discourse, critique, celebration, and fun. The matter of music is essential to human activity and here we will explore why and what we can do in our current era.