Music is an expression of the feelings of the soul conveyed through the medium of sound – but not all sounds are music.  It might be said that only an organised sound or series of sounds can be called music: sounds with a regular pattern or rhythm; sounds that have measured frequencies – and sounds that combine both of these qualities. Thus music is connected to the eternal and constant flow and order of the universe, to the laws and rhythms of nature. It can be said that musical order is comparable to the natural order of the universe. There are laws of a certain nature in the natural sciences and likewise in music there are structures and procedures, or even rules, that should be followed to produce beautiful music.  So music is not only something that has subjective appeal according to the unique taste of each individual’s sense of art and beauty but may also be studied in an objective fashion as a form of science. Not surprisingly, in Ancient Greece the study of music was included with mathematics and architecture. Similarly, music lessons may easily become maths lessons as the focus closes in on counting beats when teaching measure and tone.  Music is not only something that can be felt but also something that can be counted.

The contemporary emphasis, or one might say over-emphasis, that is being placed on science at the expense of the humanities, is inhibiting the development of theories that can explain and underpin the place of music as part of the discipline, capable of contributing to advancements in other fields such as natural sciences, psychology and medicine.  At the same time, many within the overall music community are under the influence of the commercial pressures of the entertainment industry.  Music research in the 1990s made amazing discoveries which directly or indirectly raised the world's awareness of the importance of music and the role that it has played and continues to play in life.  We need to make sure that we do not lose sight of its lessons and at the same time look to how we may make the most of this research and build on it for the future, not only for the benefit of those professionally involved in music but for humanity as a whole.

With all the above in mind, the theme of this international conference, Innovations for 21st Century Music Education and Research, provides a timely opportunity to take stock of the latest developments in music education and bring together educators, researchers and members of the broader community in a welcoming forum in which they can express theoretical and practical views, concepts, research results and principles to help support the further development of music educations.

Theme: 21^st Century Innovations in Music and Research Education.

Proposals for oral presentations and posters cover but not limited to the following themes and sub-themes: