Our Story
In 1947, American musicologist Charles Seeger appeals to countries around the world to create an International Music Institute, whose mission would be to ensure coordination between the different sectors of international activity in the field of music, and most importantly to work for peace and the gathering of peoples through music. With the support of US diplomacy, Brazilian musicologist and diplomat Luis Heitor Correa de Azevedo, relays the idea to UNESCO which leads to a motion adopted at the General Conference in favour of the creation of such a music organisation.
In 1948, Jaime Torres Bodet, the Director-General of UNESCO, gathers four experts chosen by UNESCO along with representatives of the four major music organisations of the time: the International Society for Contemporary Music, the International Musicological Society, the International Federation of Jeunesses Musicales and the International Folk Music Council. This group of experts adopts the statutes of the International Music Council at its meeting in Paris on January 28th.
In the course of its existence, IMC has developed into a highly influential network advocating for appropriate policies and practices aimed at strengthening the work of its members and partners worldwide. It has also proclaimed the Five Music Rights which represent today the core values of the organisation.
IMC’s network is present in 150 countries on all continents, with national music councils and international, regional and national music organisations as well as specialised organisations in the field of arts and culture. Through its members, IMC has direct access to over 1000 organisations and 600 million persons eager to develop and share knowledge and experience on diverse aspects of musical life.
Regional groups in Africa and Europe allow to develop regional programmes and activities that are specifically tailored to the needs of IMC members and partners in the given region.