The Music Arts Education Study Program at the Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), successfully organized the “3rd International Conference on Music and Culture (ICOMAC)” virtually on Monday, September 8, 2025.
This annual event, held since 2021, aims to foster a platform for knowledge sharing and expand networks in music research and education. ICOMAC #3 seeks to inspire participants from around the globe to deepen their understanding and appreciation of music within a global context.
The conference, themed “Changing Perspectives: Digital Technology and Music Education in Shaping, Expressing, and Negotiating Cultural Identity,” will feature prominent speakers from various countries, including Dr. Brian Riordan from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dr. Hairul Hafizi bin Hasnan from Universiti Malaya, Malaysia; and R. Franky S. Notosudirdjo, an ethnomusicologist from Indonesia.
They discussed various perspectives on how digital technology, especially in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), influences music education. At the same time, they explored the important role of music in shaping and expressing cultural identity.
During the conference, the Vice Dean I of the Faculty of Languages and Arts at UNNES, Dr. Eko Raharjo, M. Hum., shared his thoughts on the crucial role of technology in music arts education. He also stated that ICOMAC contributes to the academic world, particularly in the field of music, and therefore should be held regularly.
.After the main speaker presentations, the conference continued with parallel sessions. During these sessions, presenters shared the results of their research. This session served as a productive forum for discussion, where diverse perspectives from students, lecturers, and music practitioners were presented to enrich the participants’ knowledge.
The head of the organizing committee, Hafid Zuhdan Bahtiar, M.Sn., stated that this year’s ICOMAC offered a very inspiring and beneficial discussion for the world of music arts education. “ICOMAC serves as a platform to strengthen cooperation between music arts education institutions around the world,” said Pak Hafid. (Ika Rizki Refima Putri/Student Staff Humas FBS)
Translated by Dafele Arozal/Student Staff Humas FBS UNNES
