Conférence Romande

On December 1, music school directors from the French-speaking cantons gathered for the Conférence Romande. The event was hosted by the Conservatoire de Fribourg, a cantonal music school with over 40 teaching locations and around 4,000 students.

"This  Exchange is very valuable for us as the only music school in the canton," says Nils Perrot, member of the school management, "It is an opportunity for us to get to know other music schools and circumstances." 

The input from Richard-Emmanuel Eastes from the HES-SO provided further education. Around a year after ChatGPT and other generative AI emerged, he drew an initial conclusion. "How many of you have already tried ChatGPT?" he asked at the start. Almost all hands went up in the air. When asked how many of the participants regularly use generative AI tools in their everyday lives, a third answered yes. Eastes demonstrated conversations with ChatGPT, created images and showed how AI is also constantly improving in terms of music. "ChatGPT is not Wikipedia, it does not collect knowledge," he emphasized, "It is only interested in rules and probabilities." He made this clear in concrete terms: he convinced ChatGPT that in the key of D major there were three crosses instead of the correct two, whereupon the AI apologized and agreed with him. However, ChatGPT is very helpful as an assistant: it summarizes long texts, serves as a source of ideas, brings e-mails into shape, and much more.

Philippe Müller then provided information from the association. This included an outlook: in 2025, the Swiss Association of Music Schools will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a kind of Tour de Suisse, in collaboration with the Pestalozzi Children's Village Foundation's PowerUp Radio. The Young Talents Music funding program and its status in the individual cantons was also the subject of lively discussion.

Finally, the future of the Conférence Romande was also on the agenda. At least at the organizational level, there will be changes from 2024, as the  The decision was made at the 11/24 delegates' meeting to no longer organize regional conferences on a top-down basis, but rather according to the bottom-up principle. This means that the VMS will no longer organize cross-cantonal conferences itself, but will be happy to support them if the need arises. The comments made by those present clearly showed that this need exists in French-speaking Switzerland. Representatives of the canton of Vaud agreed to take over the organization of the Conférence Romande 2024. 

Pictures: Anicia Kohler

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Assemblea dei Delegati

Situation and prospects: in November, the cantonal representatives met for the Assembly of Delegates. In addition to the meeting between the cantons, the program also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the association in 2025.

PhotoMargot Müller

Il presidente dell'associazione Philippe Krüttli dato un caloroso benvenuto ai presenti, in particolare ai nuovi delegati Stéphanie Küffer Weber (Canton Vallese) e Reto Inäbnit (Canton Berna). Sono stati approvati all'unanimità sia il preventivo che il piano pluriennale degli obiettivi 2024-2028, che definisce i compiti e i progetti dell'ASSM - dalla promozione dei talenti al networking, dalla digitalizzazione alla statistica. 

Messaggio culturale 2025-2028 e Giovani Talenti Musica

Il 22 settembre si è conclusa la fase di consultazione per il Messaggio culturale 2025-2028. L’ASSM ha redatto una risposta dettagliata, che Philippe Krüttli ha esposto durante l’Assemblea dei delegati. La risposta completa alla consultazione è disponibile al seguente link: https://www.verband-musikschulen.ch/de/downloads-links/dokumentensammlung/Download/529/VN_Antwort%20VMS23_d_Final_21092023.pdf.

Proseguono i lavori del programma "Giovani Talenti Musica". 16 Cantoni have already received financial support from the Ufficio federale della cultura to advance the program. I seguenti Cantoni hanno già potuto stipulare un contratto di servizio:

  • Berna
  • Lucerna
  • Nidvaldo
  • San Gallo
  • Vaud
  • Zurigo

In altri cantoni, il contratto di servizio sta per essere stipulato e molti altri sono in fase di negoziazione.

L'ASSM publishes on its website the cantonal programs "Giovani Talenti Musica" which have not yet been approved by the Federal Office of Culture.

Collaborazione dei Cantoni

In two projects, the ASSM Board of Directors is specifically seeking the cooperation of the cantons. On the one hand, it is looking for a representative of the cantonal associations for the Statistica 2025 working group, which will collect a lot of information from the cantons.

The contribution of the cantons is also necessary for the digitalization concept. Il concetto, che sarà a disposizione delle scuole di musica in forma digitale e dinamica, sarà presentato a gruppo di esperti provenienti dal mondo delle scuole di musica (direttori/direttrici di scuole di musica o insegnanti di musica esperti di digitale).

Contatto dell'ASSM con le associazioni cantonali

There are currently two regional conferences, each of which brings together representatives and interested parties from different cantons for training and continuing education: the Regional Conference of Central Switzerland and the Conference of French-speaking Switzerland. The Board of Directors has proposed that in future these conferences will no longer be promoted autonomously and that there will be regular contacts between the members of the Board of Directors and the cantonal associations, a proposal that has been approved by the delegates.

Notizie dai Cantoni

One of the most important points on the agenda of the delegates' meeting was information from the individual cantons. Various delegates spoke about the situation of the "Giovani Talenti Musica" promotion program and the cantonal laws governing music schools, currently in the process of being planned or consulted or recently adopted. Lo scambio mette in evidenza quanto sia diverso il panorama delle scuole di musica in Svizzera.

Anniversario 2025

In two years, the Swiss Association of Music Schools celebrates its 50th anniversary. Sufficient motive to bring the music schools to the attention of the public. Per l'estate/autunno 2025 è prevista una tournée radiofonica in tutti i cantoni, in collaborazione con la Fondazione Pestalozzi per bambini. In June 2024, the cantonal associations will announce a concrete band for the nomination of music schools. Il variopinto tour musicale si concluderà il 21 novembre 2025 con una festa a Berna.

Profilo professionale

Infine, i membri del Consiglio direttivo Christian Braun e Philippe Müller hanno presentato il nuovo "Profilo professionale per insegnati di musica" e hanno ringraziato i partecipanti dell'ampio gruppo di lavoro presenti. Il lavoro è stato molto intenso ma proficuo. Il risultato è un nuovo documento di base orientato al futuro per la variegata professione, che può essere utilizzato sia come strumento per lo sviluppo a livello scolastico che per l'attività a livello politico. 

Membri del grupo di lavoro per il profilo professionale: Adrian Meyer, Beat Hofstetter, Lionel Zürcher, Marcel Blanchard, Céline Shuler (Photo: Margot Müller)

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"Un panorama a 360 gradi dell'educazione musicale"

Do-re-mi in una stanzetta silenziosa: è quello che fa un insegnante di musica nella vita di tutti i giorni? A partire dal giugno 2021, un ampio gruppo di lavoro guidato dall'Associazione svizzera delle scuole di musica esamina da vicino questa professione e ha sviluppato un modello professionale al passo con i tempi.

Il percorso professionale per diventare insegnante di musica è ben definito. Dopo aver superato l'esame di ammissione alla scuola universitaria, studenti e studentesse completano un bachelor e un master, quest'ultimo focalizzato su pedagogia musicale e didattica specifica. Impartiscono poi le loro lezioni privatamente oppure in una scuola di musica, spesso part-time, dando anche sufficiente spazio all'attività artistica. A riassuntiva descrizione che non rende del tutto giustizia alla gamma di opportunità che si presentano dopo aver concluso con successo gli studi. For the rest, what does it mean to learn music? Is it individual instrumental lessons for children of school age? È la gestione di un'attività nel settore della musica e del movimento? Is it the management of a class in the field of music and movement? Is it the management of a class for children and adults, of an ensemble for young people, of a youth orchestra, of musical groups of all styles? L'insegnamento in collaborazione con insegnanti della scuola primaria? L'organizzazione e la direzione di musical e concerti? La creazione di attività di produzione musicale su smartphone o computer? 

Uniformare la percezione di questa professione

Nel novembre 2023 il gruppo di lavoro, composto da membri di diverse associazioni e da rappresentanti di scuole universitarie di musica e di scuole di musica di tutta la Svizzera, ha pubblicato il modello professionale di insegnanti di musica. Il documento vuole servire come base per studenti di musica e scuole universitarie di musica, nonché per responsabili dell'istruzione e politici. It comes as an update of the model developed in 2006 and provides, in quattro chapters, insights into topics such as the educational mission, training and continuing education, as well as the teaching and learning of music.

L'allievo/a come punto centrale

Particolarmente importante per il gruppo di lavoro è il valore fondamentale della "centralità dell'allievo/a": gli insegnanti di musica dovrebbero concentrarsi interamente su coloro che hanno di fronte. Vale a dire, ad esempio, prendere in considerazione i diversi profili e il baglio di esperienze individuali di ciascun allievo. This requires that the teachers have an inclusive approach and a sensitivity in the face of diverse needs and particular learning profiles. This training, especially in terms of the technical dimension, is particularly important in the field of music and movement, says Céline Shuler, head of the Swiss Rhythmics Department.

La promozione di massa e dei talenti - Musica per tutti

Un altro punto centrale del modello professionale è che gli/le insegnanti di musica sono ambasciatori dell'educazione musicale e si impegnano in favore delle pari opportunità. "Gli/le insegnanti di musica incoraggiano i/le propri/e allievi/a a fare musica attivamente, sia in senso lato che ad alto livello" afferma Marcel Blanchard, vicerettore della scuola di musica Konservatorium. Matteo Piazza, president of FeSMuT (Federazione delle Scuole di Musica Ticinesi), also emphasized the importance of the pari opportunità nell'educazione musicale, sancite per legge dall'articolo 67a della Costituzione federale.

Progredire e pensare al futuro

Il concetto di apprendere durante tutta la vita entra in gioco anche nell'educazione musicale. Tale apprendimento può assumere varie forme, secondo il modello in questione. Vengono menzionate attività come il coaching o l'insegnamento di gruppo, nonché la partecipazione a programmi di formazione continua sia in campo pedagogico che artistico.

Sensibilizzazione dell'opinione pubblica

Gli/le insegnanti di musica sono creativi, esempi musicali, motivanti, competenti nell'organizzazione e nella gestione di progetti, ma anche, ove necessario, spontanei, interessati all'evoluzione e capaci di lavorare insieme in diversi gruppi. There are requirements of a high level: are there instructors of music of this genre? "Ma certo, molte cose non sono nuove e già realizzate" afferma Christian Braun, direttore della Scuola di musica di San Gallo. "Purtroppo, la gente non conosce ancora molte sfaccettature di questa bella professione" aggiunge Philippe Müller, direttore del Cercle Lémanique d'Études Musicales di Lutry. Julien Feltin, director of the École de Jazz et de Musique Actuelle in Losanna, described the document as a "360-degree panorama of musical education in Switzerland". Per il gruppo di lavoro, è chiaro che il modello professionale deve ispirare e servire da base per riflettere e favorire un ulteriore sviluppo. At the same time, we want to show where the potential of musical education lies, with the aim of further strengthening this activity at a structural and political level throughout Switzerland.

Il modello professionale è disponibile in linea.

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Delegates' Meeting on November 24

Taking stock and looking ahead - in November, the cantonal representatives met for the delegates' meeting. In addition to the exchange between the cantons, the program also included the 50th anniversary of the association in 2025.

Picture: Margot Müller

Association President Philippe Krüttli warmly welcomed those present, in particular the new delegates Stéphanie Küffer Weber (canton of Valais) and Reto Inäbnit (canton of Bern). Both the budget and the multi-year target plan 2024 - 2028, which defines the tasks and projects of the VMS - from talent promotion to networking, from digitalization to statistics - were unanimously approved.

Cultural Message 2025 - 2028 and Young Talents in Music

The consultation phase for the Culture Dispatch 2025 - 2028 ended on September 22. The VMS wrote a detailed response, which Philippe Krüttli discussed again at the DM. The complete consultation response can be found here. Work continues on the "Young Talents in Music" program. Sixteen cantons have already received financial support from the Federal Office of Culture for the start of the process. The following cantons have already concluded a performance agreement:

  • Berne
  • Lucerne
  • Nidwalden
  • St. Gallen
  • Vaud
  • Zurich

In some other cantons, the performance agreement is about to be signed, and several others are also in negotiations.

The VMS will publish the cantonal programs relating to "Young Talents in Music" on the website as soon as they are released by the Federal Office of Culture.

Cooperation from the cantons

The VMS Board is explicitly asking for cooperation from the cantons in two projects. On the one hand, we are looking for a representative from the cantonal associations for the Statistics 2025 working group, which collects extensive information from the cantons.

Input from the cantons is also required for the digitalization concept. The concept, which will be available to music schools digitally and dynamically, is to be presented to a sounding board consisting of experts from the world of music schools (music school directors or digitally-savvy music teachers).

Contact between the VMS and the cantonal associations

There are currently two regional conferences at which managers and interested parties from several cantons meet to exchange ideas and receive further training - the Regional Conference of Central Switzerland and the Conférence Romande in French-speaking Switzerland. The Board of Directors proposed that these conferences should no longer be launched by the Board itself in future and that instead regular contact between the Board members and the cantonal associations should be promoted, a proposal that met with the approval of the delegates.

News from the cantons

The most important items on the agenda of the delegates' meetings include information from the individual cantons. Several delegates reported on the status of the "Young Talents in Music" funding program and cantonal music school laws that are currently being planned or consulted on or have recently been passed. The exchange made it clear how different the music school landscape is in Switzerland.

Anniversary 2025

In two years' time, the Swiss Association of Music Schools will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. Reason enough to put music schools in the public eye. A radio tour through all cantons is planned for summer/autumn 2025, in collaboration with the Pestalozzi Children's Foundation. The cantonal associations will receive a specific call for nominations for music schools in January 2024. The musical and colorful tour will conclude with a celebration in Bern on November 21, 2025.

Professional mission statement

Finally, Board members Christian Braun and Philippe Müller presented the newly developed "Job description music teacher" and thanked the members of the broad-based working group who were present. The work had been very intensive, but profitable. The result is a new, future-oriented basic document for the varied profession, which can be used both as a tool for school development and for political work.

The "Professional mission statement" working group, from left to right: Adrian Meyer, Beat Hofstetter, Lionel Zürcher, Marcel Blanchard, Céline Shuler (Photo: Margot Müller)

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Program Youth+Music

With the Youth+Music program, the federal government supports, among other things, music schools in the implementation of camps and projects.

Flyer for the J+M program

The Youth+Music (Y+M) program of the Federal Office promotes access to music for children and young people, similar to the Youth+Sport program. VMS music schools can also benefit from this - music courses and music camps for children and young people between the ages of 4 and 25, as well as the training and further education of leaders, are significantly supported within the framework of Y+M. The respective contributions are based on the number of participants. Here is an example calculation: For a camp with 35 participants with six overnight stays and an Y+M program - i.e. at least 5 music lessons a day, except on the day of arrival and departure - the support contribution amounts to CHF 4950.

For each Y+M camp and course, one person from the leadership team must be trained as an Y+M leader. The training consists of three modules and lasts 6-7 days. Up to 70% of the training costs are covered by Jugend+Musik. 

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From 33 to 22 music schools

Music schools in the canton of Lucerne have been undergoing transformation in recent years. They merged to form regional music schools, streamlined their processes and thus also increased the quality of their services.

Jubiläumsversammlung des Verbandes Musikschulen Luzern
Festive General Assembly to mark the 20th anniversary of the Association of Music Schools in the Canton of Lucerne (VML). Picture: ZVG

Merging - for more quality

The reason for the numerous mergers in the canton was the Task and Finance Reform 18 (ARF18), which was approved by the electorate. In order to support financially weaker municipalities, the canton now covers half of the costs for all elementary school, and thus, as they are part of the Primary School Education Act, also for music schools. However, in order to benefit from this, music schools must have at least 500 subject enrolments. The Association for the Music Schools of the Canton of Lucerne (VML) welcomed the development from the outset. "The mergers were and are costly for everyone involved," says Ursula Kleeb, head of the Adligenswil-Udligenswil music school and delegate of the canton of Lucerne for the VMS, "but they ultimately ensure more uniformity and high quality, as well as more job security for the teachers."

Key figures

Around 800 teachers teach at the 22 music schools in the canton with a total of over 26,000 students. The range of subjects is very broad and extends from individual lessons - also in traditional instruments such as the Schwyzer Örgeli - to ensemble lessons. The collaboration with brass music associations is intensive and is highly valued by both sides: "Brass music is very important to us," says Ursula Kleeb. Talented children and young people have been benefiting from the cantonal talent promotion program since 2014. In addition, music students can showcase their skills in numerous local and regional competitions as well as the Central Switzerland Youth Music Competition.

Twice a year, the VML organizes a meeting for music school directors in the canton. There is a great need for exchange, especially because of the transformation processes in recent years, and the meeting is always very well attended.

20 years of the cantonal association

In October 2023, the association celebrated its 20th anniversary with numerous guests, including Lucerne's Director of Education and Culture, Dr. Armin Hartmann, who opened his welcome address with the following words: "A music canton needs strong music students. Music makes everyone happy and a happy population makes the canton of Lucerne happy."

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Learning to lead innovatively

Since 2021, prospective music school directors have been able to train and further their education at the Lucerne School of Music. In cooperation with the VMS, they receive the "VMS Music School Director" diploma.

How do I write a business plan? How does the cultural sector work? How will music teaching develop? Students on the part-time continuing education program receive sound input for management and teaching practice from the interdisciplinary team of lecturers from various HSLU departments (Music, Business, Design & Art) and other experts. "We have had very good experiences with this interdisciplinarity," says Director of Studies Dr. Andrea Kumpe. "The students benefit from the exchange and receive sound know-how along the way."

The offer consists of the DAS Managing cultural and educational institutions (basic) and two CAS programs to choose from. The "CAS Practical Tools for the Management of Music Schools" - is dedicated to the topics of leadership and innovation in relation to music schools. Personal leadership styles are reflected upon and refined in impulse workshops, various discussion forums and individual coaching sessions. The "CAS Music Learning Rethought" focuses on the examination of music teaching today and in the future. Students learn and try out innovation and creativity techniques and discuss future trends in (music) pedagogy and digitality.

The "VMS Music School Director" diploma will be awarded upon completion of the DAS and one of the two CASs - the first graduates of the course will receive it in spring 2024. The second intake of fifteen students has already started.

 

The "Music School Director VMS" diploma can also be obtained in Bern (HKB). Information on both courses - in Lucerne and Bern - can be found on our Website.

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1000 music students from Baselland

In September 2023, the music schools of the canton of Basel-Landschaft showed that you can achieve a lot when you stand together. Over 1000 children and young people from all 15 music schools performed together on stage in the Roman theater Augusta Raurica in Augst.

Musica Raurica im Bild – 1000 Musikschüler:innen aus dem Kanton Basel-Landschaft
Picture: Foto-Graf

"We never expected something like this to be possible," says Martin Burgunder, president of the organizing committee and board member of the cantonal Association of Music Schools Baselland. In front of 3,000 visitors and in glorious late summer weather, music students presented four very different concerts with pieces ranging from Edvard Grieg to Ed Sheeran, from John Williams to a world premiere by Stephan Hodel entitled "Rock me, Augusta". Several members of the cantonal government, who attended the concerts under the joint title "Musica Raurica" and gave very positive feedback in personal discussions. 

"We wanted to publicize the work of the music schools," says Burgunder, "And we wanted to give the children an experience they would never forget."

The idea for the large-scale event was born around three years ago. All school principals were involved and interested teachers were able to get involved in one of the four large formation projects. The result was a joint effort by the entire canton, characterized by enthusiasm and a high level of commitment, mostly on a voluntary basis. When asked what he would recommend to other cantons that would like to tackle such a project, Burgunder says: "Just have courage and do it!" He sees the networking of music schools in the canton, which "Musica Raurica" has made possible, as very pleasing and is convinced that it will have a long-term effect.

Around 9,000 children and young people in the canton of Basel-Landschaft currently attend individual lessons at one of the 15 music schools. A further 4000 pupils attend group courses such as choir, orchestra, band, theater or dance. More than 500 teachers provide up-to-date lessons on almost every musical instrument.

Picture: Foto-Graf

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Quando scuola e scuola di musica remano nella stessa direzione

Il 20.9.23, circa 50 direttori di scuole di musica dei Cantoni della Svizzera centrale si sono incontrati per uno scambio di idee e la conferenza regionale. The event is held annually and is organized in cooperation with the ASSM and the Scuola universitaria di musica di Lucerna.

Regionalkonferenz 2023 am Kampus Südpol

Photo: Margot Müller

This year's meeting focused on the collaboration between music schools and elementary schools. In an investigation prior to the event, the music schools indicated the types of projects and collaborations that currently exist - it was found that the range is very broad and that in many places collaboration is regulated and institutionalized. La materia "Musica e movimento" è saldamente integrata nell'insegnamento quotidiano in numerose scuole di musica. Many music schools collaborate in annual projects, which include project sessions, instrumental presentations, concerts and workshops for groups of musicians. It is also very common to work together in the context of more important events - concerts or musical events, especially in the national period.

Due esempi di collaborazione istituzionalizzata sono stati brevememente presentati alla conferenza regionale. Inoltre, un cortometraggio dell'EMSA ha animato la discussione. EMSA ("Una scuola (di musica) per tutti") è un modello dalla Germania con vari elementi costruttivi, che mira ad approfondire la cooperazione tra scuole di musica e scuole elementari, sia a livello pedagogico che strutturale. The basis of this model is the appointment of two "musical coordinators", one from the elementary school and one from the music school, who guarantee reliable and professionally managed processes and procedures, which provides a solid foundation for cooperation.

Le successive discussioni sul palco e di gruppo sono state molto animate. La collaborazione tra scuola di musica e scuola elementare è stata descritta dalla maggior parte dei partecipanti come auspicabile e fruttuosa. Due cose sono state evidenziate come importanti. In the first place, cooperation must be legally established. And in the second place, the music teachers, who are already used to teaching individual lessons, should undergo continuous training to obtain the necessary tools for group lessons.

Philippe Krüttli ed Eva Crastan del Consiglio direttivo ASSM, come pure Andrea Kumpe e Matthjas Bieri del Dipartimento Musica della Scuola universitaria di Lucerna hanno ringraziato i partecipanti per i loro contributi e le discussioni stimolanti, invitandoli ad uno stand-up lunch.

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Ritiro nel Canton Zurigo

All'inizio di settembre, il Consiglio direttivo ASSM si è riunito nel monastero di Kappel am Albis che si trova in una splendida zona. Like every year, lo scambio con l'associazione cantonale locale è stato uno dei punti centrali all'ordine del giorno - quest'anno con l'Associazione delle scuole di musica di Zurigo e quattro rappresentanti del suo Consiglio direttivo.

Il primo giorno, il programma prevedeva il Forum Formazione Musicale 2025 e nello stesso anno il 50° anniversario dell'associazione. Le discussioni hanno messo in risalto che il 2025 potrebbe diventare un punto culminante nella storia dell'associazione. The Board of Directors discussed a number of Scottish topics in the field of music schools and the Good Practice competition for projects in music schools. È seguito una preziosa discussione con Lorenzetta Zaugg dell'Ufficio federale della cultura sullo stato del programma "Giovani Talenti Musica". In the meantime, almost all the cantons have been able to present their own projects: the ASSM has made them available at the earliest opportunity on its website. Another federal program, "Youth + Music", in the next funding period will focus on the same opportunities - a possible amplification of activities has been discussed. The meeting was followed in a more relaxed manner by a seminar by Mami Irisawa on Gregorian chant and the music of the XVI century - after a brief introduction and with the help of the choir of the monastery, the Board of Directors sang "Ave Maria" in quattro voci.

Another key point of the rally was an intervention on artificial intelligence by Richard-Emmanuel Eastes, lecturer at HES-SO, who will accompany the association in the field of digitalization from 2022. "L'intelligenza artificiale non è un trucco magico ((ce n'est pas un truc magique))", ha detto, riportando come esempio positivo il fatto che ChatGPT può essere utilizzato in modo sensato come coach sia dagli insegnanti che dagli allievi. La sua conclusione: bisogna imparare a utilizzare l'IA.

Il presidente dell'ASSM Philippe Krüttli has dato il benvenuto a quattro rappresentanti dell'Associazione delle scuole di musica di Zurigo per avere uno scambio di idee. "Vogliamo utilizzare la rete di contatti e promuovere gli scambi tra i Cantoni", he affermato. The "Giovani Talenti Musica" program and the protection of data in music schools were also discussed. An accomodating aperitivo in the garden of the monastery and the following dinner further enhanced the mutual understanding and the good cooperation.

After another day full of topics, such as the multi-objective plan, which is approved every year by the Assembly of Delegates in November, Philippe Krüttli expressed his appreciation for the great atmosphere and the concentrated and creative cooperation, already offering a preview of next year's event. Nel 2024 il ritiro si terrà a Ginevra.

 

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When school and music school pull together

On 20.9.23, around 50 music school directors from the cantons of Central Switzerland met for an exchange meeting and the regional conference. The event takes place annually and is jointly organized by the VMS and the Lucerne School of Music.

Regionalkonferenz 2023 am Kampus Südpol

Picture: Margot Müller

This year's meeting focused on cooperation between music schools and elementary school. In a survey before the event, music schools indicated what kind of projects and collaborations currently exist - it turned out that the range is very broad and that collaboration is regular and institutionalized in many places. The school subject "Music and Movement" is firmly integrated into everyday teaching at many music schools. Many music schools collaborate on annual projects. These include project weeks, instrument presentations, concerts or band workshops. Collaboration is also quite common for larger events - concerts or musicals, often around Christmas time.

Two examples of institutionalized cooperation were briefly presented at the regional conference. In addition, a short film by EMSA provided food for thought. EMSA ("One (music) school for all") is a model from Germany with various building blocks that aims to deepen cooperation between music and elementary school in educational and structural terms. The basis of the model is the appointment of two "music coordinators", one from the school and one from the music school. They ensure reliable and professionally designed processes and procedures and thus also a solid basis for cooperation.

More about EMSA in the short film:

The subsequent panel and group discussions were very lively. Most participants described the collaboration between music schools and elementary school as desirable and fruitful. Two things were highlighted as important. Firstly, cooperation must be legally institutionalized. And secondly, music school teachers, who are often mainly used to the setting of individual lessons, should be able to acquire the necessary skills for group lessons in initial and further training.

Philippe Krüttli and Eva Crastan from the VMS Board and Andrea Kumpe and Matthjas Bieri from the Lucerne School of Music thanked the participants for their input and stimulating discussions and invited them to a standing lunch.

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Retreat in the canton of Zurich

At the beginning of September, the VMS Board met for a retreat in the beautifully situated Kappel am Albis monastery. As every year, one of the main items on the agenda was an exchange with the local cantonal association - this year with the Association of Zurich Music Schools and four representatives of its board.

On the first day, the Forum for Musical Education 2025 and the 50th anniversary in the same year were on the agenda. The discussions already showed that 2025 could become a highlight in the history of the association. The board discussed burning issues in the music school landscape and the good practice competition for projects at music schools.

Young talents in music

This was followed by a valuable exchange with Lorenzetta Zaugg from the Federal Office of Culture on the status of the "Young Talents in Music" program. Almost all cantons have now been able to submit concepts - the VMS will make the concepts available on its website as soon as possible. Another federal program, "Youth + Music", will focus on the topic of equal opportunities in the next funding period - a possible expansion of the offer was discussed. In the evening, a workshop by Mami Irisawa on Gregorian chant and 16th-century polyphony provided a lively atmosphere - after a brief introduction and supported by the acoustics in the monastery church, the board sang "Ave Maria" in four voices.

 

Artificial intelligence and music schools

Another fixed point of the retreat was an input on artificial intelligence from Richard-Emmanuel Eastes, lecturer at the HES-SO, who has been supporting the association in matters of digitality since 2022. "AI is not a magic thing ((ce n'est pas un truc magique))", he said and gave a positive example of how ChatGPT can be used sensibly by both teachers and students as a coach. His conclusion: dealing with AI needs to be learned. 

Exchange with the Association of Zurich Music Schools

VMS President Philippe Krüttli welcomed four representatives of the Association of Zurich Music Schools to an exchange. "We want to use the network and promote exchange between the cantons," he said. The "Young Talents in Music" program and data protection in music schools were also discussed. A cozy aperitif in the monastery garden and the subsequent dinner further promoted getting to know each other and the existing good cooperation.

After another day filled with topics such as the multi-year target plan, which is submitted to the Assembly of Delegates for approval in November, Philippe Krüttli thanked everyone for the good atmosphere and the concentrated and creative collaboration and gave an outlook for next year: the retreat will take place in Geneva in 2024.

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L'Intelligenza Artificiale nella scuola di musica

L'AI (or IA in italiano) è sulla bocca di tutti: strumenti come ChatGPT o Midjourney, che creano testi o immagini, sono ormai ben conosciuti. And what about music? Quali possibilità offre l'IA per l'insegnamento della musica?

È evidente: l'IA fa corrugare la fronte. Sono già innumerevoli le canzoni che circolano su Internet create dall'intelligenza artificiale. Miley Cyrus singing Radiohead? Nessun problema, e incredibilmente bene. Indubbiamente il mondo della musica sta per essere invaso da un'ondata di cui non è ancora possibile valutare gli effetti. Lo stesso vale per il contesto pedagogico, dove sorge la domanda se un interlocutore di IA sia in grado di aiutare sufficientemente bene gli allievi nell'apprendimento di uno strumento al punto da poter sostituire l'insegnante, almeno in parte. On the other hand, like the stampa e Internet, l'IA non scomparirà. Per gli insegnanti di strumento e voce potrebbe anche essere utile, facendo attenzione, cavalcare l'onda - per rimanere aggiornati. L'intelligenza artificiale può ispirare, può rendere più efficienti i processi, motivare gli allievi, sgravare gli insegnanti. Gli strumenti riportati nella seguente lista sono al momento gratuiti o costano 20-40 franchi all'anno.

Playbacks

In this area, the IA already helps to save a lot of time. Interesting è ad esempio Lalal.ai. Permette di togliere voci premendo semplicemente un pulsante, per esercitarsi sulla voce mancante o avere il playback di una canzone attuale. Moises combina diverse cose in unico strumento. È possibile suddividere le canzoni, fino a cinque tracce singole e scelte a piacere. Successivamente, si possono adattare i ritmi delle tracce estratte e trasporli in altre tonalità.

Sperimentare con il songwriting, apprendere alla scuola della musica

Con AIVA, si può scegliere tra una varietà di stili, oltre a impostare la lunghezza, il ritmo e il tipo di battuta. Lo strumento genera poi una canzone, le cui tracce possono poi essere regolate a piacere. Boomy funziona in modo simile, ma è possibile registrare in aggiunta tracce audio, inclusa la propria voce. Currently, the results of these tools are being considered more in the context of the entertainment of tomorrow. Tuttavia, uno dei possibili futuri leader di mercato di Google, MusicLM, è già ai blocchi di partenza e gli interessati possono attualmente farsi mettere in lista d'attesa.  Il diretto concorrente MusicGen di Meta al momento crea solo brevi frammenti di 12 secondi ciascuno, ma le prime prove audio mostrano già una grande differenza tra il primo e l'ultimo strumento menzionati.

Ascolta: https://ai.honu.io/papers/musicgen/ 

Notazione musicale

ScoreCloud si definisce come "il software di notazione musicale più intelligente".  Lo strumento crea partiture modificabili da file midi o audio - volendo, anche direttamente dalla voce. I risultati sono sorprendenti. Ciò consente agli allievi di creare molto rapidamente le proprie canzoni a casa.

Trascrizione

Con Chordify, facare passare la canzone desiderata, si ottengono tabelle della diteggiatura per pianoforte o chitarra. This allows all students to select the canzoni of their preferred musical style at home and to listen to them directly without the instructor having to first watch and record videos or audio files.

Creare materiali didattici

È noto che ChatGPT maneggia le informazioni in maniera molto liberale. Tuttavia, è già molto utile nella versione gratuita (come Bard di Google) se non si trova l'ispirazione per un brano adatto a un particolare allievo o a un argomento specifico - o se si vuole scrivere una lettera, riassumere testi lunghi, mettere insieme una strategia sui social media. Jasper è a pagamento, ma è ancora più utile perché fornisce link con ulteriori informazioni.

Amministrazione

Numerosi programmi di mail offrono già il supporto di IA. With Gmail, for example, "Smart Reply" is useful: prepara belle e-mail in divers varianti in modo da poter rispondere semplicemente premendo un pulsante. Interesting also the function "Summary Cards", which presents visually in a way chiara informazioni importanti derivanti dalle e-mail. Spark Mail offerre qualcosa di simile. Anche per quanto riguarda i vari compiti della vita quotidiana, la compilazione del calendario e gli appunti delle riunioni, l'IA offre buoni servizi - ad esempio, workstream.ai è già disponibile.

 

Ci farebbe piacere ricevere le vostre opinioni! 

State già lavorando regolarmente con l'IA? Avete provato uno strumento in particolare? O vedete altri utili impieghi per l'IA nella vita quotidiana di una scuola di musica? Mettetevi in contatto con la nostra redazione, vi interpelleremo per una breve intervista. Vi ringraziamo anticipatamente e ci rallegriamo fin d'ora di un vostro contatto!

 

From generative AI Dall-E generated images

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Artificial intelligence and the music school

Artificial intelligence (AI for short) is on everyone's lips - tools such as ChatGPT or Midjourney, which create texts and images respectively, are well known. What about music? And what possibilities does AI offer for music lessons?

One thing is clear: AI is raising eyebrows. Countless songs created by artificial intelligence are already circulating on the internet. Miley Cyrus sings Radiohead? No problem, and amazingly good. The music world is undoubtedly facing a wave whose effects cannot yet be predicted. The same also applies in the educational context, where the question arises as to whether an AI interlocutor could support pupils in learning an instrument well enough to at least partially replace the teacher. On the other hand, like the printing press and the internet, AI is not going to disappear. Riding the wave cautiously - to stay with the image - could also be worthwhile for instrumental and vocal teachers. AI can inspire, make processes more efficient, motivate students and relieve teachers. The tools listed below are currently free or cost between 20 and 40 francs per year.

 

Playbacks

AI can already save a lot of time in this area. One interesting example is Lalal.ai. This allows voices to be subtracted at the touch of a button - for practicing or playback of a cutting-edge song. All in one Moises. Songs can be divided into up to five individual tracks and extracted as desired. The tempos of the extracted tracks can then be adjusted and transposed to other keys.

 

Experimenting with songwriting, learning musical styles

With AIVA you can choose from a variety of styles and set the length, tempo and time signature. The tool then generates a song whose tracks can then be adjusted as required. Works in a similar way Boomywhere additional audio tracks can be recorded - including your own vocals. At present, the results of both tools are more likely to be classified as Saturday evening gimmicks. However, one of the presumed future market leaders MusicLM from Google is already in the starting blocks, and interested parties can currently join the waiting list. The direct competition MusicGen from Meta only creates short snippets of 12 seconds each at this point, but the first audio samples already show a big jump between the first and last two.

=> Listen to here first examples of

 

Music notation

ScoreCloud describes itself as "the most intelligent music notation software".  The tool creates editable scores from midi or audio files - if you like, directly from the vocals. The results are amazing. Students can quickly create their own songs at home.

 

Transcription

With Chordify you run the desired song and receive fingering charts for piano or guitar at the same time. This allows students to select songs for their own musical tastes at home and play along directly without the teacher having to search for and transcribe videos or audio files first.

 

Compile teaching materials

That ChatGPT is known to be quite liberal with facts. Nevertheless, it is (just like Bard from Google) is already very useful as a free version if you lack inspiration for a suitable piece for a specific student or a specific topic - or if you want to write letters, summarize long texts or put together a social media strategy. Jasper is subject to a charge, but is even more helpful because it provides links with further information.

 

Administration

Numerous mail programs already offer AI support. With Gmail, for example, "Smart Reply" is helpful: it prescribes friendly emails in different variants so that you can reply at the touch of a button. Another interesting feature is "Summary Cards", which presents important information from emails in a clear visual format. Something similar is offered by Spark Mail. AI will also be very useful for various everyday tasks, compiling timetables and taking notes from meetings - for example, the following is already available workstream.ai.

 

Feedback welcome! 

Do you already work regularly with AI? Have you put a particular tool through its paces? Or do you see other useful applications for AI in the day-to-day running of a music school? Get in touch with the editorial team and we will contact you for a short interview. Thank you in advance, we look forward to hearing from you!

 

From generative AI Dall-E generated images

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VMS members benefit from a discount of up to 10% on motor vehicle, travel, personal liability, household contents and buildings insurance. More information can be found in the Factsheet.

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