Lifelong learning and the employability of conservatoire graduates were the leading themes of the seminar. Connected to these the following topics were addressed throughout the seminar: Models of Excellence; Learning Outcomes and Employability; Formal, Non Formal and Informal Learning in Music; Mentoring Musicians; The 'Orchestra Leadership Academy' & BBC learning projects. About 120 participants attended the seminar and the working language throughout the seminar was English. 

   

Film 'Dialogue in Music'                                                           Short version

 


DVD
A DVD has been produced with all documents and a film of the seminar. The DVD can be ordered through our office.

Goal of the seminar

The Working Group on the Profession of the ERASMUS Thematic Network for Music ‘Polifonia’ and the Lectorate Lifelong Learning in Music worked on changing trends in the music profession and the connection between training and the professional practice in all parts of Europe since 2004. A great number of examples, case studies, musician's portraits, site visits and additional research contributed to the creation of a varied picture of the nature of the contemporary and future music profession in Europe.

During the seminar, organised jointly by the Lectorate and the ‘Polifonia’ project, the conclusions drawn from the research findings were shared and discussed with the participants. The participants were expected to contribute actively in the discussions and the working groups during the seminar. Preparatory material was provided on this webpage.

    
Marc-Olivier Dupin (l) and Peter Renshaw (r)

Keynote speeches and other addresses
David Myers, founding director of the Center for Educational Partnerships in Music, gave a keynote speech about the role of lifelong learning in the careers of professional musicians. Marc-Olivier Dupin, director of Orchestre l'Isle de France, gave a keynote speech about the transition from higher education to professional life. Peter Renshaw, learning consultant Arts Education talked about the importance of mentoring. You find these speeches, and other addresses given during the seminar below. 

David Myers - Keynote speech
Marc-Olivier Dupin - Bridging the Gap keynote speech

Peter Renshaw - Framework for mentoring 2007
Christine Stöger - Response to the mentoring statement
Judith Webster - Response mentoring statement
David Myers - Orchestra leadership
Einar Solbu - Models of Excellence
Max van der Kamp - Exploring formal, non-formal and informal learning in music
Peter Mak - Examples of non-formal and informal learning in music
Gaunt and Rosmalen - Improvisation and Conversation

The ‘Polifonia’ Working Group on the Profession
The ‘Polifonia’ Working Group on the Profession included representatives from both conservatoires and professional organisations. The working group conducted research into trends and (rare and new) competencies which were required in all sectors of the music profession. The group reflected on what this implied for conservatoire training and suggested areas of potential development for conservatoires. Site visits, examples of innovative practice, alumni policies, qualitative research and analysis nourished this reflection. In addition, the group developed a gallery of individual portraits of musicians representative of these new and emerging trends. The group focused on the following themes: multicultural society; the changing nature of the musician’s career; the changing nature of consumers; funding/ status of the musician; new developments in technology; standards of excellence. Professor Rineke Smilde was co-chair of the Polifonia Working Group on the Profession.

Below links to the PDF-documents with information about the seminar.

Programme seminar 2007
Abstracts and proceedings seminar 2007
Speakers and presenters seminar 2007


Below links to the documents that were offered as preparatory reading material for the seminar

Dialogue and standards of excellence in conservatoires - Einar Solbu 
Learning music in formal non-formal and informal contexts 2007 - Peter Mak
Lifelong learning environments - Rineke Smilde
The Place of Mentoring 2009 - Peter Renshaw (updated version)
Polifonia Tuning template