About

About

What is BEAN?

The British Electroacoustic Network (BEAN) is the national body for electroacoustic music in Britain.

BEAN was founded in 2016 by Adam Stanović, and James Andean, with the aim of establishing a network of composers, performers, and listeners with an interest in electroacoustic music.

The British ElectroAcoustic Network applied for membership of the International Confederation of Electroacoustic Music (CIME/ICEM) – an NGO Partner of UNESCO and Member of International Music Council. After spending 2016 as a Candidate Member, BEAN was awarded full membership in 2017 (National Federation Member). The network is now enjoying an active relationship with other international members of CIME.

Why does BEAN exist?

The British ElectroAcoustic Network has the following aims:

• to connect members and promote networking opportunities
• to disseminate member’s music through concerts, festivals, events, and publications
• to increase access to British electroacoustic music through the promotion of calls for works, events, and competitions
• to represent British electroacoustic music overseas

Above all, BEAN exists to help connect those with an interest in electroacoustic music, to support promote artistic activities, and keep members up-to-date on opportunities, events, and activities both in Britain and overseas.

How do we achieve these aims?

To achieve our goal of spreading electroacoustic music, we have three key activities:

• Sharing events and opportunities – Our network consists of a vibrant community of composers, performers, and listeners from across the UK, many of whom host events, performances, and installations both big and small. Supported by community submissions, we collect and collate this information, producing a calendar of events and a monthly newsletter, Signal Flow, which makes opportunities (particularly calls for works, commissions, residencies, and competitions) readily accessible to network members.

• Curating Concerts and Conferences – BEAN presents concerts of members works, alongside concerts curated from those involved in the wider CIME/ICEM membership. Members are welcome to use the BEAN logo on their concert materials, and they can approach the network if they need support in hosting and scheduling concerts, help with curatorial and reviewing matters, and/or a wish to host CIME concerts. BEAN is particularly interested in co-curation of concerts across Britain.

• Representing British electroacoustic music overseas – As a National Federation Member of the International Confederation of Electroacoustic Music, BEAN is able to represent British electroacoustic music on the international stage. It is involved in decision-making, as part of the CIME general assembly, and has the opportunity to present BEAN works to other CIME members. Each year BEAN submits British works to CIME concerts around the globe, and has thus expanded the reach of British electroacoustic music.

Who can join?

Anyone from, or based in, Britain (with an interest in electroacoustic music) can join BEAN!

It is completely free! As a member you will become a part of the wider network, receiving opportunities, concert listings, and news on BEAN’s activities, as well as calls for works from BEAN, the International Confederation of Electroacoustic Music, and other affiliated institutions. 

You can also share your own activities, which we will curate and disseminate among the network on our website and in our newsletter.