The digitization of early music sources is reshaping how scholars, performers, and teachers engage with the rich heritage of medieval and Renaissance music. This conference invites participants to explore the many challenges and exciting opportunities that arise as digital technologies transform access to and understanding of historical musical materials.

At the heart of this transformation is the development of innovative digital tools and methodologies that allow researchers and performers to interact with early (musical) sources in new and dynamic ways. These advancements not only facilitate research but also open up fresh avenues for historically informed performance practices. Beyond these technical developments, integrating digital sources into the classroom offers teachers powerful means to bring historical contexts to life and to deepen students’ engagement with early music traditions. However, the process of digitization also raises important ethical questions, particularly around issues of copyright, accessibility, and the responsibilities involved in sharing and preserving cultural heritage in digital form. Addressing these concerns is essential to ensure that digitization benefits a broad and diverse audience while respecting legal and moral frameworks. Moreover, the conference will encourage reflection on how the very act of digitizing early music reshapes our philosophical understanding of these traditions.

The ways we access, interpret, and perform early music are fundamentally influenced by digital mediation, prompting us to reconsider how technology impacts our connection to musical cultures of the past. Through thoughtful case studies, innovative projects, and critical discussions, this conference aims to highlight the transformative potential of digitization for the field.

A detailed overview of the conference programme and activities will follow soon.

Time outlines:

• Friday 12 December 2025

9.45-15.00: Studio 1, Royal Conservatoire The Hague
20.00: Concert by Cappella Pratensis en Ramillete de Tonos, Oud-Katholieke Kerk Den Haag

• Saturday 13 December 2025

10.00-14.00: Studio 5, Royal Conservatoire The Hague

The conference is free but registration is required. Deadline for registration is 7 December 2025.
Register for in-person attendance on Friday 12 December 2025.
Buy your ticket for the concert on Friday 12 December 2025.
Register for in-person attendance on Saturday 13 December 2025.

Register for virtual attendance for one or both days. You will receive a link with the login details for the streaming one day before the conference begins.

Partners: Alamire Foundation, The Royal Conservatoire The Hague, Cappella Pratensis, Ramillete de Tonos, Janáček Academy of Performing Arts