Société De musique Contemporaine Du Québec

Canadian organization founded in 1966 dedicated to the dissemination of contemporary music and the promotion of composers from Quebec and elsewhere. Having the originality of being directed by composers for composers, the SMCQ has known to date three artistic directors: Serge Garant (1966-1986), Gilles Tremblay (1986-1988) and Walter Boudreau, since 1988. First honoring its mandate by presenting an annual series of a few concerts in Montreal with occasional tours in Europe, the SMCQ has experienced a remarkable development over the years, becoming in America one of the strongest non-governmental institutions dedicated to today's music. It has acquired this privileged status thanks to the implementation of major unifying and recurring events, including the biennial International Festival Montréal / Nouvelles Musiques and the Tribute Series, in addition to a youth component with incomparable dynamism. Anxious to keep pace with the creators of its time, the SMCQ commissioned, premiered and recorded several essential works of the contemporary repertoire from here and elsewhere, including the unforgettable Millennium Symphony (40,000 listeners, June 2000). The quality, diversity and scale of its activities allow it to meet the challenge, season after season, of bringing together a surprisingly large audience in the contemporary music niche.