The Culture Capital Exchange
Developing International Networks and Collaborations in Higher Educationwww.tcce.co.uk
Collaboration between conservatoires: the Polifonia
project of the Association Européenne des Conservatoires
Supported by the European Union. Framework of the ERASMUS Programme, the chapter for higher education of the EU Lifelong Learning Programme: http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/guide/fiches/erasmus13_en.html.
Focus on issues related to professional music training at the European level.
Led by the Association Européenne des Conservatoires (AEC), and coordinated jointly with Royal College of Music in Stockholm (as lead HEI).
Two cycles of funding already complete: (2004-2007), (2007-2010). A third cycle will begin in 2012.
The network is the biggest European project on professional music training to date. The first two cycles involved more than 60 institutions in the field of music training and the music profession in 30 European countries.
The first cycle was designated as an “Erasmus success story” by the European Commission in 2007.
Polifonia
The 2nd cycle built on the first and included three strands
• The "Bologna" strand worked on issues related to the "Bologna Declaration”: curriculum development and design, internal and external quality assurance and accreditation.
• The "Lisbon" strand focused on continuing professional development for conservatoire management and the further investigation of instrumental/vocal teacher training.
• The "Research” strand studied the role of research in conservatoires, and set up continuing professional development activities for conservatoire teachers.
Clustering of projects has been a feature of its funding success and impact.
Publications from Polifonia IIHandbook - Admissions and Assessment in Higher Music EducationTuning Publication - Reference Points for the Design and Delivery of
Degree Programmes in MusicHandbook - How to Prepare for an Institutional or Programme Review
in Higher Music EducationFramework Document - Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher
Music Education: Characteristics, Criteria and ProceduresHandbook - Instrumental and Vocal Teacher Education: European
PerspectivesPocketbook - Researching ConservatoiresHandbook for Work Placements in Higher Music Education Studies in
EuropeNational Music Education Systems - Descriptions of National Systems
for Music in Higher Education, Pre-college Music Education and Teacher Training in 31 European Countries
People and leadership
• Built on existing network through the AEC.• Wide range of senior managers and some
early career researchers drawn into the project.
• Incorporated emerging projects such as the InnovativeConservatoire seminars.
• Catalysed international collaboration across the sector.
Polifonia II – Research Working Group
One of 6 working groupsTasked with:
Mapping research (particularly practice-based research) across the sectorDelivering 3 InnovativeConservatoire seminars for conservatoire teachers.
Main output: Researching Conservatoires: Enquiry, Innovation and the Development of Artistic Practice in Higher Music Education. (Included evaluation of the seminars.)
InnovativeConservatoire Seminars• Focus on developing reflective practice and a culture of
research and innovation for teachers in conservatoires• Themes include improvisation, collaborative learning, artist
in society, one-to-one tuition, masterclasses, assessment and feedback
• Moving beyond standard seminar formats to incorporate practical activities and intensive knowledge exchange (to reflect practical orientation of musicians and, in particular develop improvisation skills)
• Designed to benefit a wide range of senior and early career teaching staff
• Offered a framework for further development in conservatoires
• 12 institutions; 25 teachers
Legacy – sustainable development
InnovativeConservatoire seminars continuing to run as a stand alone project funded by participant fees.
23 institutions now involved, with growing numbers of participants per seminar.
Smaller spin-off seminars in single institutions or small clusters.
Collaborative projects developing eg. in relation to improvisation; approaches to practising; coaching techniques in teaching.
Growing network at individual and institutional levels. Website planned for early 2012.
European Commission: Erasmus FrameworkLifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013
http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/guide/fiches/erasmus13_en.html
