Erasmus Thematic Network for Music – Polifonia II
Polifonia II (2007 - 2010) is an international programme jointly coordinated by the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and the Association Européenne des Conservatoires (AEC).
The leading professor of the research group Lifelong Learning in Music & the Arts participates in the Research working group in Polifonia II and was co-chair of the Polifonia working group on the Profession of the first Polifonia project (link), which was running from 2004 until 2007.
About Polifonia
Polifonia, the Erasmus Thematic Network For Music, is the largest thematic network in higher music education to date and is supported by the European Commission. It started in 2004 and is studying various subjects related to professional music training in Europe. The partnership in Polifonia involves more than 60 organisations in professional music training and the music profession in 30 European countries.
The role of research in conservatoire training
The Polifonia Research working group is reflecting on the role of research in conservatoire training. The aim is to collect and disseminate information on research activities on teaching and learning in European conservatoires. Other expected outcomes are the establishment of a platform for exchange and cooperation on a European level on research activities in higher music education and the organisation of 3 seminars between April 2009 and April 2010, addressing conservatoire teachers. The objective of these seminars is to exchange information and examples of good practice on teaching and learning.
The members of the Polifonia Research working group are:
• Helena Gaunt (Chair - Guidhall School of Music and Drama, London)
• Carlos Caires (Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa, Lisboa)
• Valentina Dediu Sandu (National University of Music Bucharest, Bucharest)
• Peter Dejans (Orpheus Instituut, Gent)
• Hans Hellsten (Malmö Academy of Music, Malmö)
• Siw Graabræk Nielsen (Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo)
• Bart van Rosmalen (Royal Conseratoire Den Haag, Den Haag)
• Rineke Smilde (Prince Claus Conservatoire, Groningen)
• Aaron Williamon (Royal College of Music, London)
Polifonia Innovative Conservatoire Seminars
In 2009 two of the three seminars of the Polifonia Research working group took place.
The first ‘Polifonia Innovative Conservatoire Seminar’ was in Villecroze, France in april and the second in Helsinki in October 2009. The third will take part in April 2010.
The seminars function as pilot seminars, giving the research group a working model for the future.
They are designed to bring together the expertise and experience of musicians who teach in higher music education institutions. The seminars provide opportunities to debate key issues, reflect on practice, engage with research, and develop innovative projects and collaborative research.
By the end of the three seminar cycle the participants should be able to formulate and undertake development of their work as musicians-teachers, drawing on appropriate research tools, funding, and collaborative skills. In addition they should be able to integrate the results of this programme within their own institution, for example initiating professional development in collaboration with colleagues.
A group of twenty-five participants from twelve institutions in ten European countries participates in the three seminars.
The leading professor of LLMA is the evaluator of the Innovative Conservatoire Project.
More information is to be found at the website http://www.innovativeconservatoire.eu/ that has been created especially for the seminars.