Musicacoustica-Hangzhou 2024, a highlight of the 3rd Global Digital Trade Expo, kicked off on the night of September 24th. Co-hosted by Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, the festival celebrated the exciting intersection of music and technology.

Art performances, academic seminars, and exhibitions at the Digital Trade Expo form a harmonious tapestry, woven together by an avant-garde musical thread. This unique combination made the festival a captivating experience for both music and technology enthusiasts.

In Halls 2 and 8 of the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center, Zhejiang Conservatory of Music presented two exhibitions: the Digital Musical Instrument Exhibition and the Digital Music Exhibition. These exhibitions featured interactive musical equipment developed by Zhejiang Conservatory of Music’s Department of Music Engineering and Key Laboratory of Intelligent Processing Technology for Digital Music (sponsored by Ministry of Culture and Tourism). The immersive exhibition Light & Shadow, which featured interactive sound and shadow elements, also attracted considerable attention. These exhibitions were a standout highlight of the Digital Trade Expo, demonstrating the artistic and humanistic aspects of digital technology.

Another highlight was the world’s first AI songwriting competition. Held at Venue 1 of the Expo on September 28th, finalists from around the globe performed AI-composed pieces using 'remote pianos.' The compositions were evaluated by both AI algorithms and human experts.

The music festival, themed “Running Towards the Future,” offers a comprehensive exploration of contemporary electronic music. Featuring five event series—including nine concerts, six international masterclasses, six avant-garde workshops, five competitions, and an annual forum—the festival highlighted the latest international trends in electronic music and the exciting potential of AI-powered music.

The festival received 418 submissions from composers of all ages, representing nearly 30 countries across four continents. After a rigorous selection process, 75 works were chosen, including 24 world premieres, 35 Chinese premieres, and 15 new works from Chinese university students. To add more anticipation and excitement, the organizing committee commissioned four original works for the festival.

Wang Rui, president of the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, emphasized the important role of AI in advancing electronic music. Through the festival, the conservatory aims to encourage the creation of pioneering and impactful musical works that are both intellectually stimulating and artistically exceptional.