ISCM, EPCNM, IAMIC…. The history of 75 years of Gaudeamus is also a history of abbreviations. This is because Gaudeamus not only established its own festival and organisation, but from the get go was very active in establishing and supporting national and international structures in which contemporary music could thrive. Thus, various national and international networks cooperations were set up, many of which are still active today. In addition to these networks, Gaudeamus maintains numerous other international contacts spread all over the world. Below is an overview of some of the many international connections that Gaudeamus established or supported.

From the start, fruitful contacts were established with organizations abroad, which led to collaborations and exchanges.


ICEM – International Confederation of Electroacoustic Music.
The ICEM was founded in 1981 and (currently) brings together organizations and national sections from 16 countries in the field of electro-acoustic music. In 1984 Gaudeamus brought the Vereniging PEM (Producers of Electronic Music) back to life, which then became the Dutch Section of ICEM. Meetings were held annually during the IMEB festivals in Bourges, France. From 1984 to 2007, ICEM and UNESCO / IMC organized the bi-annual International Rostrum for Electroacoustic Music (hosted by Gaudeamus in 1996). Currently the Institute of Sonology is the Dutch member of ICEM.



ECPNM – European Conference of Promotors of New Music.
The ECPNM was founded in 1982 by Gaudeamus, among others, and brought together many European festivals and ensembles. In annual meetings, symposia discussed relevant topics in contemporary music, such as copyright, radio programming, co-productions and European subsidies, and co-productions and competitions were set up. From the start Gaudeamus has been its secretariat. ECPNM stopped to exist in 2020.
EFA – European Festival Association.
The EFA was founded in 1952 and (currently) brings together more than 100 music, dance, theater and multidisciplinary festivals from 38 countries. Within EFA, contemporary music was mainly represented by ECPNM; ECPNM (and thus also Gaudeamus) was active within EFA from 2000 to 2015. Gaudeamus now carries the EFFE label (Europe for Festivals – Festivals for Europe).

FACE – Festival Alliance of Contemporary music festivals in Europe.
In 2019 FACE was founded by Gaudeamus, among others, and brings together diverse European festivals for the purpose of sharing knowledge and co-productions. The network is still under construction and currently has 6 active members.