North American Conference on Video Game Music 2017

The North American Conference on Video Game Music draws together scholars in the fields of musicology, music theory, ethnomusicology, media studies, sound studies, composition, and more to discuss all aspects of music in video games. Topics at past conferences have included case studies of influential games and composers, technology and its impact on game music, teaching game music, analyzing game music, and music’s relationship to game narratives.

The conference program is available at vgmconference.weebly.com/2017-program.html. For more information on the conference, visit vgmconference.weebly.com.

Questions about the conference may be directed to vgmconference@mail.com.

Conference Registration

Conference registration is available here (external site).
The 2017 conference rate is $100 ($150 after Jan. 2), or $50 for students ($100 after Jan. 2). There is a banquet available on Saturday night for an additional charge of $40, or $20 for students.

Program Committee

The 2017 program and organizational committee for the conference is composed of:
James Buhler, Lead Organizer (UT Austin)
Elizabeth Medina-Gray, Program Committee Chair (Ithaca College)
Steven Beverburg Reale (Youngstown State University)
Karen Cook (University of Hartford)
William Gibbons (Texas Christian University)
Neil Lerner (Davidson College)

Keynote Speaker

The keynote speaker for the 2017 conference will be the award-winning composer and orchestrator Penka Kouneva, a leading musical voice in film, television, and video games. As a composer she has contributed music to games including Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and Gears of War 3. Also extremely in demand as an orchestrator, her work can be heard in a number of high profile games, including World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Diablo III, and Bloodborne.

Kouneva has been honored with the Aaron Copland Award, SUNDANCE Composer Fellowship; Hollywood Music In Media Awards, Square Enix Music Online nomination, Independent Music Award; two Ovation Awards, The Visionary Award from Women’s International Film & TV Showcase, GRAND PRIX at the Tokyo Young Composers Competition, Meet the Composer Award, and numerous Artist Fellowships.