Before starting my survey of electronic music studio members of 'EMAS' I want to draw reader's attention to the Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM). Many readers may not know of this society which was founded to promote living music, with an accent on Contemporary British Music. The SPNM receives scores in all contemporary genres, and a reading panel (of vast proportion) forwards work to the workshop rehearsals and performances, which are always recorded, taking place approximately monthly throughout the year.

Last year the SPNM invited 'EMAS' to help with a weekend of electro-acoustic music "Towards a Theatre of Sound" at St. John's, Smith Square, London. Two days of open workshops and a final concert were a success beyond the best hopes of the organisers — five hundred participants! All aspects of the gamut of electro-acoustics were covered: live electronic scores, with instrumental performances.

This was the first major outing for the 'EMAS Sound Equipment Pool', a sixteen channel playback system, purchased with the assistance of the Arts Council, for hire to concert organisations throughout Britain. The Pool differs from commercial concerns in that it is able to devote a lot of interest and give advice on the particular problems of the concert environment and works to be presented. One of the main reasons for EMAS foundation was the feeling that in total contrast to the Rock music scene, concert promoters in so-called 'Art' music (terrible phrase, but readers know what I mean!) knew next to nothing about the needs of presentation of electro-acoustic music.

During September 10-13, EMAS once more entered into collaboration with the SPNM for the Composers Weekend. Leading British and foreign performers, Vinko Globokar (trombone), The Michael Nyman Band, Peter Lawson (piano), Alan Brett ('cello), Harry Spaarnay (bass clarinet), the Myrha Saxaphone Quartet, presented works written for them. In addition composers submitted scores for these instruments. Both the SPNM and EMAS are open to all members of the public to join, both have student rates, both have increased membership and successful presentations in the midst of the recession currently hitting many forms of concert promotion. Write for details to: Hon. Sec. EMAS, (Contact Details), and to the Administrator, SPNM, (Contact Details).