4th Conference: “Making Music Together. Education and Creative Participation”
At Seu de la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
Download the programThe 4th Conference of the Pau Casals UNESCO Chair, titled “Making Music Together. Education and Creative Participation”, is framed within the humanistic and musical legacy of an artist deeply committed to his time, who understood music as an expression of the best of the human condition. In contrast to war, music represented for him a profound connection with the meaning of life, a source of self-esteem and dignity, both individual and collective. Beyond aesthetic enjoyment, music is—and should be—an experience of encounter, cooperation, shared joy, mutual commitment, and respect. In short, everything that contributes to the growth and strengthening of community spirit and citizenship.
The aim of this conference is to reflect on how citizens in our society access culture and basic musical education, as well as on the role of music studies both in schools and in professional training. It will also address questions such as “why and for what purpose do we believe we need to make music together?” and “how could we ensure the possibility of doing so?”
The conference is free of charge and will begin at 9:45 a.m. It will feature artists such as Tarta Relena (a folk and progressive gregorian-inspired music group), Abel Antón Delgado (violinist and writer), and Quim Carandell (La Ludwig Band), among others. They will take part in a round table of professional musicians, where they will share their experiences of making music together. This will be followed by a talk by Paolo Bortolameolli, Associate Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The programme will also include round tables and debates on music education.
Participants include Dr. Joan Fuster-Sobrepere, Director of the Pau Casals UNESCO Chair; Dr. Alfons Martinell, Co-Director of the Pau Casals UNESCO Chair; Ester Bonal, music teacher and artivist, Co-Director of EducArtS, El Teler de la Música, and Xamfrà; Anna Carné, Coordinator of ConArte and cello teacher; Núria Sempere, Director General of the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya; and Jordi Pardo, Director General of the Pau Casals Foundation.
You may attend the full day or only select round tables.
MORNING
9.45-10.00 h Accreditation
10.00-10.30 h Institutional opening
With contributions from:
– Joan Fuster-Sobrepere, Director of the Pau Casals UNESCO Chair and Associate Professor in the Arts and Humanities at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC).
– Jordi Pardo, Director of the Pau Casals Foundation.
– Anna Busquets, Director of the Arts and Humanities programs at the UOC.
10.30-11.30 h Video and debate: “Making Music Together?”
Why and for what purpose do we believe we need to make music together?
How could we ensure the possibility of doing so?
– Moderated by: Ester Bonal, music teacher and artivist. Co-Director of EducArtS, El Teler de la Música, and Xamfrà.
11.30-12.00h Coffee break
12.00-13.00h Round table: “Musical experiences in company”
– With contributions from Tarta Relena, Quim Carandell, Abel Antón Delgado, and others.
– Moderated by: Anna Carné, Coordinator of ConArte and cello teacher.
13.00-13.30 h Video: Paolo Bortolameolli
– Paolo Bortolameolli, Associate Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra Esperanza Azteca (Mexico), and Principal Guest Conductor of the Santiago Philharmonic (Chile).
13.30-14.00h Discussion and debate
– Presented and moderated by: Núria Sempere, Director of the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya.
14.00-15.30h Lunch break (on your own)
AFTERNOON
15.30-17.00 h Debate: “Education and creative participation”
World Café methodology session
1. Why is it necessary to advocate for making music together?
2. What successful experiences support its role in reducing inequalities (social, educational, and cultural)?
3. What is needed at a national level to guarantee universal access to collective cultural practice and to break “glass ceilings”?
Table 1: In general education settings
Table 2: In music and arts schools
Table 3: In community contexts
17.00-17.45 h Plenary session with results
– Moderated by: Joan Fuster-Sobrepere, Director of the Pau Casals UNESCO Chair.
17.45-18.00 h Conclusions and closing session
– Alfons Martinell, Co-Director of the Pau Casals UNESCO Chair.
Conference held in Catalan
