origins
The festival now known as soundSCAPE debuted in 2005 as an initiative to bring together composers and performers interested in new music. From its inauspicious beginnings (a grand total of one participant in '05), the festival has grown to over 35 participants attending in 2009. Originally called the Cortona Contemporary Music Festival, the event was produced in the heart of Tuscany from 2005-2007, by Toscana Americana; Patrick Mahoney, producer. The growth of the festival necessitated more modern facilities for performance, and in 2007, it was decided that CCMF should relocate, and create a new identity. soundSCAPE, as it was named, took up residence in Pavia, just south of Milan. From 2008-2009, soundSCAPE contracted the services of L'Associazione Culturale Biquadro; Paolo Fosso, production agent. The advent of 2010 finds soundSCAPE in its most exotic locale to date, on Lake Maggiore in the Italian Alps. Its location just minutes from international borders of France and Switzerland promises to expand our base.
Just as its name is a symbol for Sound Composition And Performance Exchange, the success of soundSCAPE is due in no small measure to the dedication and vision of the faculty members at its core. A singular group who delight in the creation of new music.
As of January 2010, soundSCAPE is pursuing tax exempt, non-profit 501(c)(3) status under the tax code of the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America. soundSCAPE was initially founded by Dr. Nathanael May, who currently serves as the Artistic Director.