The International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres (IAML) is a global organisation dedicated to fostering the activities of music libraries, archives, and documentation centres. These efforts support projects in music bibliography, music documentation, and music library and information science at both national and international levels. A key component of IAML's work is its annual international congress, which rotate among different countries each year, offering a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the celebration of musical heritage.
The IAML 2024 Congress, held from Sunday, 23 June to Friday, 28 June 2024, marked a historic first for the organisation: it was the first IAML congress held on African soil. This significant event was organised by the Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service, in collaboration with representatives from the University of Cape Town. The main venue for the congress was the Konservatorium building at Stellenbosch University, home to one of the largest academic music libraries in South Africa.
The journey to hosting the IAML 2024 Congress in Stellenbosch began in May 2016 with an email from Joseph Hafner, suggesting Stellenbosch as a potential host. This was followed by a letter from Pia Shekhter, then IAML Secretary General, in July 2016, expressing her enthusiasm for the prospect of holding a future IAML congress in South Africa. She highlighted the potential to establish stronger connections with the African Music Council and promote engagement with colleagues across the African continent. The initial proposal to host the congress in 2021 was delayed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, but after years of anticipation and planning, the event finally took place in 2024.
The opening ceremony on Sunday, 23 June, was a momentous occasion, welcoming delegates from 28 countries, including eight African nations. Ellen Tise, Senior Director of the Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service, expressed her delight at the diverse representation and emphasised the unique opportunity to experience South Africa's rich cultural heritage. Following her introduction, Pia Shekhter, IAML President, officially welcomed everyone. In June 2023 she shared her excitement on the IAML website saying, "I have looked forward to the 2024 IAML Congress ever since the Board received the invitation from Stellenbosch, South Africa, several years ago! It will be the first time IAML holds a congress in an African country and gives us a fantastic opportunity to meet many new colleagues to share and learn. We use to say that IAML actually stands for the International Association of Marvellous Locations. Stellenbosch will certainly be yet another extraordinary place to visit!"
Following Shekhter's message, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at Stellenbosch University, delivered an address, highlighting the strategic partnership between the Stellenbosch University Library and the Music Department in hosting this landmark event. She emphasised the importance of internal collaboration in achieving high-impact outcomes and thanked the organising teams for their dedication and hard work.
A highlight of the opening ceremony was the performance by Dizu Plaatjies, a renowned traditional music artist and cultural historian. His performance took the audience on a musical journey across Africa, showcasing the continent's rich and varied musical traditions.
Following the formal proceedings, attendees enjoyed refreshments in the foyer of the Konservatorium, providing an opportunity to network and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting.
The venue for the congress, the University of Stellenbosch's Department of Music, is the oldest institution of its kind in South Africa, boasting a tradition of excellence in music education, performance, creative work, and research spanning over a century. The Department's facilities include the magnificent Endler Hall, known for its exceptional acoustics, and the majestic Marcussen organ, one of the finest instruments of its kind in the world. The Department hosts several prestigious events annually, including the Piano Symposium and the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, and is home to acclaimed ensembles such as the Stellenbosch University Choir and the African Music Ensemble.
The IAML annual congresses are renowned for bringing together a diverse array of specialists, including music and audio-visual librarians, music archivists, documentation specialists, musicians, musicologists, and music publishers from around the world. The 2024 program included sessions on cataloguing and metadata, user experience and service development, historical and composer collections, church music, radio archives, digital collections, and the use of AI and machine learning in libraries, among other topics. The program had a strong emphasis on African content, reflecting the continent's diverse musical traditions and contemporary innovations. Sessions covered a wide range of topics, including colonial and post-colonial impacts, digital collections, music institutions, music encoding, indigenous and folk music and instruments, and popular culture in Africa. This thematic emphasis not only celebrated African musical heritage but also fostered dialogue and collaboration among international and African scholars and practitioners.
The IAML 2024 Organising Committee extended heartfelt thanks to the Stellenbosch University Department of Music, Library and Information Service, Music Library staff, the University of Cape Town, African Sun Media, and Visit Stellenbosch for their support. Special appreciation was also given to the sponsors, including nkoda, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), Enote, Harrassowitz, PTFS Europe, Sabinet, A-R Editions, Berliner Philharmoniker, Bloomsbury, Noten Roehr, and Babelscores.
As the first IAML congress on the African continent, IAML 2024 was a groundbreaking event, fostering new connections, celebrating musical heritage, and paving the way for future collaborations. The delegates left Stellenbosch enriched by the cultural and musical experiences they had encountered, looking forward to the next IAML congress with renewed inspiration and insight. Pia Shekhter, in her closing remarks on the final day, expressed her gratitude to the Stellenbosch Local Organising Committee and wished good luck to the organisers of the 2025 IAML Congress in Salzburg, Austria, which will take place from 6-11 July. Her words encapsulated the spirit of the congress, highlighting the successful execution and the promise of continued collaboration and innovation in the years to come.
