Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ)

Photo credit:
Courtesy of the SMCQ
Founded in 1966, the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ) was the first organization in the country to be entirely devoted to the dissemination of contemporary music, and to promote composers from here and abroad.
With the original distinction of being run by composers for composers, five artistic directors have been responsible for its evolution: Serge Garant (1966-1986), Gilles Tremblay (1986-1988), Walter Boudreau (1988-2022), Ana Sokolović (2022-2023) and now Simon Bertrand.
Initially fulfilling its mandate by presenting an annual series of a few concerts in Montréal, with occasional tours of Europe, the SMCQ has undergone remarkable development over the years, becoming one of the strongest non-governmental institutions in America devoted to present-day music. This unique status has been achieved through the production of major recurring events, such as the biennial Montréal/New Music International Festival and the Homage Series, as well as an incomparably dynamic youth programme.
Keen to keep in tune with the creators of its time, the SMCQ has commissioned, premiered and recorded several essential works from the contemporary repertoire here and abroad. The quality, diversity and scope of its activities have enabled the SMCQ to rise to the challenge, season after season, of bringing together a remarkably vast audience in the contemporary music community.
Initially fulfilling its mandate by presenting an annual series of a few concerts in Montréal, with occasional tours of Europe, the SMCQ has undergone remarkable development over the years, becoming one of the strongest non-governmental institutions in America devoted to present-day music. This unique status has been achieved through the production of major recurring events, such as the biennial Montréal/New Music International Festival and the Homage Series, as well as an incomparably dynamic youth programme.
Keen to keep in tune with the creators of its time, the SMCQ has commissioned, premiered and recorded several essential works from the contemporary repertoire here and abroad. The quality, diversity and scope of its activities have enabled the SMCQ to rise to the challenge, season after season, of bringing together a remarkably vast audience in the contemporary music community.
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