2007/5: 15th EAS Conference in Pitea / Sweden, May 10-13

Download conference-papers

The following documents (pdf-files, power-point-presenations) reflect presentations on the conference:

Ahlers_Michael_Pitea-2007.pdf

History, concepts and problems of new media in music education in Germany. Download of the PPP.

Program_EAS-conference_2007_pitea.pdf

Download the detailled program of the EAS-congress.

Buchborn_Thade_Pitea-2007.pdf

Download of the PPP in pdf-format.

Mascher_Ekkehard_Pitea-2007.pdf

Download of the ppp (pdf).

Seddon_Biasutti_Pitea-2007.pdf

Self-confidence in primary school teachers: teaching music in the classroom without prior musical experience



Report by Josef Scheidegger

EAS Congress 2007 / ISME European Regional Conference 2007

MEDIA & NEW TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC EDUCATION

10 – 13 May 2007

Lulea University of Technology: School of Music in Pitea, Sweden

. .




I. Introduction and opening remarks

Under the combined auspices of the EAS and the ISME, the first ISME European Regional Conference took place from 10th-13th May, 2007 in Pitea, Sweden in a pioneer effort by the two music societies. What had been an intention, sealed in the cooperation agreement of 2005 in Prague, has become reality.

The congress was opened by Dr. Liane Hentschke (current ISME president) and Prof. Dr. Franz Niermann (president, EAS). Their joint message was a symbol of the emphasis placed on partnership between the societies which was especially underlined in their remarks as essential to the future work of the societies. The topic, "Media and New Technology in Music Education", apart from being especially relevant, is well suited to promoting these partnerships.

The practical collaboration began with the ISME’s suggestion of competent speakers on the highly current conference theme. The participation of Prof. Dr. Liane Hentschke from Brazil (current ISME president), Prof. Dr. Hakan Lundstrom from Sweden (ISME president-elect for the period 2008-2010), and Prof. Josef Scheidegger from Switzerland (ISME board member), emphasized the importance which the ISME attaches to the regional conferences.

A highlight of the Pitea regional conference was the presentation of the 2007 Gibson Awards which represents the collaboration between ISME and the Gibson Foundation. The EAS is happy, as ISME’s European partner, to have provided the platform and venue. See more details for the presentation of the Gibson Award by www.ism.org


II. General aims and guiding questions

For people of today, the meaning and relevance of music are linked to new contexts in which traditional views on music education are challenged. The aim of the conference was to illuminate and discuss issues of music education in a society characterized by media, IT and new technology.

How should we approach future roads for music education in a world where concepts such as meeting places, border-crossing, networking, file-sharing and student responsibility have become everyday expressions?

The following guiding questions served to introduce and provoke thought on the various aspects of the topic.

•     How can we make the best use of the advantages of music’s/media’s strong position in youth cultures?
•     How can we create broader (interactive) learning environments where people with different knowledge and experiences meet and co-operate?
•     How has people’s use of IT influenced music education?
•     What are the possibilities of IT to connect European music education to other parts of the world?
•     How can we foster more businesslike thinking in cultural and educational organizations without renouncing the role of culture and the liberty of art?

How does the European music education sector relate to business and culture in comparison to other regions of the world?


III. Conference organization and events

In pre-conference organization, the speakers who were invited developed projects which they then presented in brief statements. The responsible chairpersons studied the proposals carefully.

During the conference, the projects were presented in sessions. In these sessions, questions were formulated for discussion in follow-up sessions.

Some of the topics which the many projects addressed were:

Composing with computers in the classroom

What has IT and new technology made possible in our educations?

Engaging music and media: technology as a universal language.

New technologies in the everyday lives of young children and the implications for versions of musical childhood education.

Digital arenas in music education: Framing artistic and educational learning and practices.

The following resulting questions were discussed in the concluding sessions:

•     Is there a radically new situation for formal and informal music education brought about by digital technology (something comparable to the introduction of the gramophone and the wireless)?
•     What should be our priorities be in the next 10 years in terms of the enhancement of music education?
•     Music education is a lived experience involving receiving and analyzing, rehearsing and producing, searching and communicating. The general question will be: What can technology do, and what can it not do?
•     Are we on our way from a performance-oriented culture to a communications culture?

A traditional aspect of EAS conferences is the Student’s Forum. This took place again in Pitea. It is imperative to include the next generation in important discussions and decision-making.

The supporting program included excellent concerts by the Pitea College of Music Chamber Choir under the direction of Prof. Erik Westberg, the Norbottens Chamber Orchestra and Prof Ericsson, docent for organ.


IV. Evaluation

Conference content:

This comprehensive and connectional subject with its multi-facetted content plays a central role not only in all areas of musical education but also in musical performance, research and the music industry. Indeed, we are now able to conduct research, share knowledge, conduct discussions and support each other all over the world using the new media and technological means. This interchange is precisely what the ISME desires to foster. In this sense, the topic of and its treatment at the conference was and is highly relevant. The above-stated questions for discussion in effect constitute an informal summary of and point over and beyond the chronological and geographical limits of the conference.

The conference speakers and presenters were extremely competent and provided the material for high quality discussions.

Conference organization:

The organizational guidelines for the regional conferences seem to be adequate judging by the smooth flow of events and satisfactory number of attendees. The pre-conference study by the responsible chair people of the projects to be presented proved to be a guarantee for well-structured, quality session time.

The venue, Pitea, afforded good facilities and accommodations and an interesting supporting or social program. Its location might, however, be the reason for not attracting a higher number of participants. A more central location might be considered in future. On the other hand, the smaller framework was conducive to conducting lively, relevant discussions and forming closer contacts.

Personal evaluation:

I consider this first ISME regional conference to be a complete success. It initiated fascinating possibilities for further cooperation between the ISME and the EAS. Music instructors from Europe were introduced to the ISME as an active society which represents our mutual interests all over the world and he announcement of the upcoming ISME world convention in Bologna in 2008 generated wide interest. The open atmosphere and practical nature fostered the building of relationships. I support strongly the focus on personal relationships, mutual support and inspiration and the interaction of different cultures for the benefit of all involved.

The following points should be considered:

•     It will be necessary to promote the regional conferences at the next (and following) world conference and to give the regions an opportunity to share their experiences in hosting conferences and discuss and evaluate new forms; a round table perhaps.
•     Perhaps the ISME could create a data base in which recognized experts on relevant subjects are profiled who could be accessed as keynote speakers or lecturers for future conferences.
•     A department or file from which the regional conference programs and reports can be downloaded should be created.

V. Closing remarks and acknowledgements

The Lulea University of Technology in Pitea, but above all, the people in the background of the congress must be recognized and heartily thanked for their excellent organization before, and support during, the congress. Our time there was pervaded by a feeling of deep sympathy, as we shared the great and terrible burden of grief carried by the conference host, Prof. Dr. Christer Wiklund, who, a week before conference begin, lost his wife, Maude, when she passed away suddenly and completely unexpectedly. We continue to be with him and his loved ones in our thoughts and will remain united with them in quiet thankfulness.

Josef Scheidegger, June 21, 2007

See more details by www.isme.org about the presentation of the Gibson Award.