6th SEPTEMBER 2023, WEDNESDAY

THE BIG DEBATE: THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY

We live and work in a world that has been shaped and reshaped by a rapidly evolving context of change and challenge. From a global pandemic to changes in social expectation, from an increased awareness of a global climate emergency to the impact of personal mobile technology, these forces have impacted artists and arts organisations directly and places challenges on us to understand, to be able to articulate, and put into effective practice the value that we bring to our communities and the role that we play. In this provocative first session, a diverse panel will share their perspectives on these changing dynamics and how they see the challenges ahead.

THE BIG DEBATE: REACH, RELEVANCE AND REINVENTION

Now that we are back after the pandemic isolation, long hours in-front of our screens and the stress of the unknown, has the relationship between the artists, orchestras an audience changed? Is there a chance that the common struggle made us more relevant to more people? In this session we’ll get the artist perspective on what in their opinion changed and what effect it may have on their current and future work.

OFFICIAL OPENING 

7th SEPTEMBER 2023, THURSDAY

WHO’S THE AUDIENCE?

Every orchestra needs its audience. But when we talk about widening our audience, what do we mean? Why do we obsess over attracting a younger audience, and are there any audience development initiatives that actually work? Is the assumption that audiences for classical music are in decline fact or fiction?

INNOVATION IN ACTION I: ORCHESTRAS IN SCHOOLS


Orchestras have been sending musicians into schools for many years. But what if you moved the whole orchestra into a school? We’ll hear from two case studies of the benefits this brings to both the orchestra and the school.



ORCHESTRAS IN HEALTHCARE


There is increasing evidence that music organisations can play a crucial role in building a healthier nation. In this session we’ll take a look at case studies of orchestras working in healthcare settings, and how they are integrating their programmes into national health provision.


REACHING OUT: EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY


Learning and participation have been intrinsic to the identity of orchestras for many years.  What makes for a successful and relevant programme, and what is its purpose?

MUSIC AND THE BRAIN


We often assume music must be good for the brain, and finally we have evidence via a pioneering research collaboration between the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester Camerata. The experiment is a world first in exploring the way in which our brains and bodies respond to live music, compared to recorded or live-streamed versions of the same performance.


DEEP PRESENCE

Workshop on growing the capacity for deep presence to strengthen leadership skills. Mindfulness-based leadership development supports building and maintaining relationships across boundaries, complex problem solving, and holding steady in the face of difficult reality. Discover the theory and practice, to understand and feel the difference.

THE INNOVATIVE ORCHESTRA: NEW CONCERT FORMATS

Orchestras have been successfully experimenting with new concert formats and new listening experiences, to reach a new audience. In this session we’ll take stock of what we have learnt, and what is needed to prepare a meaningful project. 

INCLUSION WORKSHOP


Inclusivity is at the heart of what it means to be a relevant orchestra. In this workshop we’ll explore why inclusivity matters, and how to build it into your orchestra’s mission.



MIND THE GAP! THE COLLABORATIVE ORCHESTRA


Too often there has been an ‘us and them’ culture within our orchestras. How can we develop better communication and respect between manager and musician? In this session we will hear from musicians themselves about what they have learned and how we can use this learning to improve the dynamic.



THE SUSTAINABLE ORCHESTRA


The fight for the climate is a fight for humanity to breathe. Together we have but one world to nurture, live off and pass on. That world has given us one common language – music. One joint breath that carries us through time and let us find hope for the future. This is why musicians, that have such deep roots in cultural heritage, can bring a special message to the discussion around sustainability - a grand word that carries a lot of meaning but is mainly about how we care for and cherish all that we have been given, so that the same gift can be passed on to future generations. So how can we respond to the issue of climate crisis? What message can we bring and how can we make, and lead a change in the way we live and operate in the world today?


INNOVATION IN ACTION II: KLASSIK UNDERGROUD


Klassik Underground has forged a successful model for fusing classical music with 21st century urban nightlife. In this seminar we’ll get a first view of a documentary film about the Klassik Undergound Wunderhorn Festival by Emmy-nominated producer Alex Olegnowicz, and get the point of view of musicians in some of the world’s best known orchestras as they seek to future-proof their profession while asking what the orchestra of the future will look like.


THE EXPO SESSIONS

We’ll hear from more of our exhibitors on the tools they can offer to help your orchestra’s business and reach.

8th SEPTEMBER 2023, FRIDAY

A PLATFORM FOR SUCCESS

Orchestras have always had to adapt to technological change, to reach an audience beyond the concert hall through recordings and broadcasts. How can we use these platforms to distribute our work better and have an even bigger impact?

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok. And that’s just some of the social media platforms we have to navigate now. Next thing you know, another app will be all the rage. How best do we place our orchestra in the social media space?

THE INTERNATIONAL ORCHESTRA

It’s a crowded market on the international circuit, and it can be hard for orchestras and concert halls to cut through the noise. How can we build our international identity, and forge global connections?

ONSTAGE - REVOLUTION OF LIVE CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS VIDEO PRODUCTION

AI-driven technologies allow full automation of any live classical music concert video production. It is only possible by overcoming the challenge of understanding and tracking the tempo and interpretation of live performances in real-time - from solo recitals to full-scale symphonic concerts.

In this session, the latest technological achievements developed between 2021 and 2023 in partnerships with renowned organizations such as the Lucerne Festival, Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia, USA), and Louisville Orchestra (USA) will be presented, along with the benefits derived from the implementation of these advancements.

DRAWING THE LINE

How do we balance the responsibility to preserve the canon with the need to diversify the repertoire and experiment with programming?

ORCHESTRAS IN SOLIDARITY: UKRAINE

We cannot have a gathering of orchestras in 2023 and not recognise the struggle that our Ukraine colleagues have faced since the invasion by Russia. How has this impacted on our programming, and what is the best way of showing our solidarity?

CLOSING SESSION

THE EXPO SESSIONS

We’ll hear from more of our exhibitors on the tools they can offer to help your orchestra’s business and reach.