In 2016, the Composition Area of the University of Oklahoma School of Music hosted the fifth iteration of the National Student Electronic Music Event. Featuring six concerts, over 30 composers, and over a dozen live performers, this event has become an important part of electronic music in academia as it passes from school to school and continues to grow and change to meet new needs. The event sets itself apart from others like it by not being directly associated with any of the large new music, composition, or electronic music organizations.
The event is hosted each year by a new school. The next year's school is typically decided shortly after the conclusion of the current year's event. The host school's composition area, GA's, and any associated staff then organize the event, put out a call for scores, accept submissions, listen to hundreds of submissions, and pull everything together into a memorable annual engagement for all who attend.
OU's year featured Dr. Kokoras from UNT Denton giving the keynote lecture and concert as a continued part of OU's Inner sOUndscapes concert series. The event was opened by renowned new music flutist Emily McNutt, also from UNT Denton, performing works by Russell Pinkston and other contemporary electroacoustic composers.
