Music schools are often referred to as "conservatories" - the origin of the term is unexpected at best. From the 16th century onwards, priests in Italy founded institutions for young girls who were orphans or came from very poor families. They were "preserved" until they were of marriageable age by preparing them to become respectable women, in particular by giving them a good musical education. Gradually, music lessons in these "conservatories" became open to the public.

In France, the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal School of Singing were closed during the French Revolution. In their place, a new institute modeled on the Italian schools was established in 1795. It was called the Conservatory of Music. Its function? "To produce musicians who could celebrate national festivals."

The concept crossed the border in 1835: the financier and patron François Bartholony founded the Geneva Conservatory of Music - the first Swiss music school, which counted Franz Liszt among its teachers. In 1858, the city of Bern opened its first music school, which was renamed the "Conservatory of Music" in 1927. The Lausanne Conservatory was founded in 1861. It was followed by Schaffhausen in 1866, Basel in 1867, Zurich in 1876 and Fribourg in 1904.

The Vevey Conservatory of Music was founded in 1915 by Mathilde and Emile de Ribaupierre, and Neuchâtel in the fall of 1917. Georges Humbert, its first director, was inflamed in his opening speech: "It is abnormal that a city like Neuchâtel does not have a musical educational institution worthy of its rank as a city of education and teaching in Switzerland."

In 1927, Charles Faller was involved in the founding of a music school that would soon be called the La Chaux-de-Fonds Conservatory. In 1949, the Cantonal Conservatory of Valais was founded by Georges Haenni.

In addition to these official institutions, there were and are of course many other music schools. From the Middle Ages onwards, monasteries and convents offered courses based on liturgical singing. Instrumental courses were mainly offered privately by musicians, but also in trumpet, pipe and drum societies as well as in military music ensembles, from which today's brass bands emerged. Secular or religious choirs are also worth mentioning. In addition, there were personalities who founded their own schools, such as Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, a teacher at the Geneva Conservatory, who founded the institute named after him in 1915 and continues to shape music education to this day.

After the Second World War, there was a movement throughout Europe to establish new music schools - including in Switzerland. This upswing gave rise to the European Union of Music Schools (EMU) in 1973 and, two years later, the Swiss Association of Music Schools (VMS), to which around 400 music schools from Switzerland and Liechtenstein belong today.

Is your music school also celebrating an anniversary? We would be happy to highlight your activities in our newsletter. Get in touch with info@musikschule.ch.

Instrument course for the smartphone: the App of the music school Oberer Sempachersee

For the fifth time, the VMS is launching a competition for projects from music schools - several finalists will be given the opportunity to present their project to a larger audience during the Forum Musikalische Bildung in January 2025. The prize money for the various prizes amounts to several thousand francs. Since the competition was launched, 36 finalists have already shown how committed and creative the work at Swiss music schools is. The seven projects that have won the main prize so far give an impression of this:

Instrument course for the smartphone (2022)

Every year, numerous music schools hold an instrument course on their premises - prospective pupils listen to and look at instruments, try them out and then decide on a possible future favorite instrument. The app version, developed by the Oberer Sempachersee music school, is the perfect complement to this. It can be modularly adapted to the offer of each music school.

Département de musique assistée par ordinateur (2019)

Since 2018, the Ecole de Jazz et de Musique Actuelle Lausanne has been offering a course in computer-assisted music. It has five levels, consists of individual and ensemble lessons and is open to students from the age of 8.

imPro - Teaching aids for improvisation (2019)

Improvisation can be learned - preferably through play. The Swiss Jazz School app enables  provides easy access to improvisation for various music schools. It can be used both as a teaching aid in instrumental lessons and as a practice aid at home.

Little monsters, big sounds (2017)

The K'Werk Bildschule and the Basel Music School collaborate on one to three interdisciplinary workshops in the field of image and sound each year. The offer is aimed at children and young people between the ages of 6 and 16.

CAMI: Classes avec apprentissage musical intégré (2015)

Every week for 90 minutes, pupils in grades 4-8 learn seven different instruments in small groups. The program was launched by the Conservatoire populaire de musique, danse et théatre Genève in 2014.

A journey through the Biel music school for primary school classes (2015)

For one morning, primary school classes from neighborhoods that are not (usually) familiar with the music school's offerings visit the music school. The project has increased the number of registrations in the neighborhoods concerned.

Jeki Bern - an instrument for every child (2015)

The Bern Conservatory project offers a comprehensive and barrier-free introduction to the world of music - regardless of social background and economic status. It is carried out in schools with conspicuous social indicators and consists of singing groups, instrumental lessons and ensemble playing, in close cooperation with the elementary school.

Has your music school also launched a project in the areas of cooperation, integration and inclusion, new forms of teaching/digitalization and/or tapping into new target groups? Register it easily via web form or pdf by April 30, 2024. Here go to the registration.

Photos: Anicia Kohler

Guitar bags next to cello cases, the harpsichord next to the Nord Stage Piano - 

Even at first glance, it was clear that the first Pre-College Days on January 13/14 at the Conservatoire Neuchâtel brought together different musical traditions. However, the young people between the ages of 16 and 19 were not bothered by their different home countries (classical, jazz or Comédie Musicale) or the language differences. On the first day they attended various workshops, and on the second day they presented the results of their work at a concert, crowned by three joint final pieces.

"The students immediately got talking to each other, which was really nice to see," says singing teacher Mallika Hermand (Conservatoire Neuchâtel), who taught an electro-pop workshop. This was also confirmed by Stewy von Wattenwil (Swiss Jazz School Bern), whose workshop on "Exam and performance anxiety" was attended by both classical and jazz students, who all spoke openly about their experiences. "Everyone knows these fears, and yet they are rarely talked about," he says, "Anyone who attends a pre-college will have to take exams - they all have that in common." 

The idea for the Pre-College Days was born just six months earlier at a meeting of the Pre-College CH conference with representatives from all nine certified Swiss pre-colleges. "It is important that the students can exchange ideas and make contacts not only at cantonal but also at national level," says Nicolas Farine, principal of the Conservatoire Neuchâtel, which volunteered to host the event. He considers the fact that 80 young people registered for the first edition to be a success - as did the concert on Sunday. After just one rehearsal, everyone was on stage together, playing and singing two classical pieces with equal virtuosity as a specially arranged version of the bossa nova "Manha de Carnaval". "I was very moved overall," says Nicolas Farine. "We took a risk, both organizationally and musically, and I think it was worth it." 

Lisa, 16 years old, harp

It was really great. I met a lot of people - it's nice to get to know others who also make music. In the evening we all jammed together. It was a very cool atmosphere.

Edgar, 17 years old, trombone

There were no language difficulties at all. That's actually amazing, but music is what connects you, you have a common topic of conversation. For me, the weekend was really brilliant. 

Information about the Pre-College

At pre-colleges, musically talented young people are usually prepared for music studies during upper secondary school. The courses are offered in close cooperation between music schools and music colleges. The Swiss Association of Music Schools (VMS) and the Conference of Swiss Music Universities (KMHS) jointly award the Pre-College Music CH quality label to nationally recognized providers of pre-college courses. Nine schools are currently certified with the quality label: 

• Conservatoire de Lausanne VD (2021)
• Conservatoire de Musique neuchâtelois, Neuchâtel NE (2021)
• Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana, Lugano TI (2021)
• Bern University of the Arts BE (2022)
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Music LU (2021)
• Winterthur Conservatory ZH (2021)
• Music School Conservatory Zurich ZH (2021)
• Swiss Jazz School BE (2023)
• Zurich University of the Arts ZH (2021)

• Conservatoire de Lausanne VD (2021)
• Conservatoire de Musique neuchâtelois, Neuchâtel NE (2021)
• Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana, Lugano TI (2021)
• Bern University of the Arts BE (2022)
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Music LU (2021)
• Winterthur Conservatory ZH (2021)
• Music School Conservatory Zurich ZH (2021)
• Swiss Jazz School BE (2023)
• Zurich University of the Arts ZH (2021)

Photo: Anicia Kohler

Custodie di chitarra accanto a quelle di violoncello, il clavicembalo accanto al piano elettrico - già a prima vista era chiaro che ai primi Pre-College Days del 13 e 14 gennaio al Conservatorio di Neuchâtel erano presenti tradizioni musicali diversi. But i giovani di età compresa between i 16 e i 19 anni non hanno avuto problemi con i anche se provenivano da ambiti diversi (classica, jazz o comédie musicale) o parlavano lingue diverse. Il primo giorno hanno partecipato a vari workshop e il secondo giorno hanno presentato in un concerto i risultati del lavoro svolto, terminando con tre brani finali eseguiti tutti insieme.

"Gli studenti e le studentesse hanno subito iniziato a parlare tra loro ed è stato bello vederli" dice l'insegnante di canto Mallika Hermand (Conservatorio di Neuchâtel), che ha tenuto un workshop elettro-pop. Lo conferma anche Stewy von Wattenwil (Swiss Jazz School Bern), il cui workshop sul tema "La paura degli esami e delle esibizioni in pubblico" ha visto la partecipazione di studenti sia di musica classica che di jazz, e in cui tutti hanno raccontato apertamente le proprie esperienze. "Tutti conoscono queste paure, eppure non se ne parla molto" dice. "Chi frequenta il Pre-College deve sostenere degli esami - è quello che hanno tutti in comune". 

The idea of Pre-College Days was born just a few months ago, during a meeting at the Pre-College CH conference with representatives from all Swiss pre-college schools. "È importante che studenti e studentesse possano scambiarsi idee e stabilire contatti, non solo a livello cantonale ma anche nazionale" afferma Nicolas Farine, direttore del Conservatorio di Neuchâtel, che è si reso disponibile ad ospitare l'evento. Considera un successo il fatto che 80 giovani si siano iscritti alla prima edizione - e anche il concerto di domenica. After a solo performance, all of them got together on stage and sang and sang two classic pieces with the same virtuosity in which they performed an appositely arranged version of the bossa nova "Manha de Carnaval". "Il tutto mi ha molto commosso" dice Nicolas Farine. "Abbiamo avuto il coraggio di fare qualcosa di concreto, sia dal punto di vista organizzativo che musicale, e penso che ne sia valsa la pena". 

Lisa, 16 anni, arpa

È stato davvero fantastico. Ho incontrato un sacco di gente, è bello incontrare altre persone che fanno musica. La sera abbiamo suonato tutti insieme. C'era un'atmosfera molto bella.

Edgar, 17 anni, trombone

We have never had problems at the linguistic level. In reality it is unbelievable, but music unites, it is a moment of common conversation. For me, the final session was really fantastic. 

Informatiozoni sul programma Pre-College

In the Pre-College, talented young musicians are prepared solo, during the period in which they attend secondary school, for university-level music studies. I corsi vengono offerti in stretta collaborazione tra scuole di musica e scuole universitarie di musica. L'Associazione svizzera delle scuole di musica (ASSM) e la Conferenza delle scuole universitarie di musica svizzere di musica (CSUMS) assegnano congiuntamente il marchio di qualità Pre-College Music CH a coloro che offrono corsi pre-college riconosciuti a livello nazionale. Currently, there are nine schools certified with the quality mark:

• Conservatoire de Lausanne VD (2021)
• Conservatoire de Musique neuchâtelois, Neuchâtel NE (2021)
• Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana, Lugano TI (2021)
• Bern University of the Arts BE (2022)
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Music LU (2021)
• Winterthur Conservatory ZH (2021)
• Music School Conservatory Zurich ZH (2021)
• Swiss Jazz School BE (2023)
• Zurich University of the Arts ZH (2021)

25 paesi e quindi circa 6000 scuole di musica europee sono rappresentate all'interno dell'EMU. I membri si riuniscono per l'assemblea generale annuale e in incontri regionali - i membri del consiglio direttivo dell'ASSM partecipano alle riunioni dei gruppi regionali Onda Latina (Francia, Italia, Spagna, Lussemburgo, Belgio, Svizzera) e LLACHD (Liechteinstein, Lussemburgo, Austria, Svizzera, Germania). In mid-December 2023, dieci rappresentanti del gruppo LLACHD sono recati a Lucerna, hanno visitato la sede del Kampus Südpol e parlato dei progetti in corso nei vari paesi. They intensively discussed the various aspects of the presence of qualified collaborators in music schools and the complete structural motivations of this phenomenon, which often differ significantly in different countries and regions. Le discussioni durante la giornata e mezza trascorsa insieme sono state straordinariamente intense, cosa che è stata confermata da diversi partecipanti. "È bello sapere che altri stanno affrontando sfide simili", ha detto ad esempio Friedrich-Koh Dolge, direttore della Scuola di musica di Stoccarda e uno dei co-fondatori del Gruppo LLACHD. Anche Nadine Eder, direttrice della Scuola di musica di Echternach (Lussemburgo), che partecipa per la prima volta, apprezza questo tipo di scambio. "Stiamo lavorando agli stessi temi, ma con regole del gioco diverse", he said. Una passeggiata nel mercatino di Natale nella Pilatusplatz a Lucerna e una cena insieme hanno portato una boccata d'aria fresca.

25 countries and thus around 6000 music schools from all over Europe have joined the EMU represented. The members meet at an annual general assembly as well as at regional meetings - VMS board members take part in the meetings of the regional groups Onda Latina (France, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland) and LLACHD (Liechteinstein, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Germany). In mid-December, ten representatives of the LLACHD group traveled to Lucerne, visited the premises of Kampus Südpol and talked about current projects in the various countries. Among other things, the shortage of specialists at music schools and the complex structural reasons for this, which in some cases differ greatly in the various countries and regions, led to intensive discussions. The discussions during the one and a half days together were remarkably intense - as several participants confirmed. "It's good to know that others are facing similar challenges," said Friedrich-Koh Dolge, Head of the Stuttgart Music School and one of the co-founders of the LLACHD group, "The exchange provides good political arguments." Nadine Eder, Head of the Echternach Music School (Luxembourg), who is taking part for the first time, also appreciates the exchange. "We work on the same topics, but with different rules," was her assessment. A stroll through the Christmas market on Pilatusplatz in Lucerne and dinner together provided a breath of fresh air.

Per la formazione continua ha fornito un contributo Richard-Emmanuel Eastes di HES-SO. Circa un anno dopo la comparsa di ChatGPT e di altre IA generative, ha tratto una prima conclusione. All'inizio ha chiesto "Quanti di voi hanno già provato ChatGPT?". Virtually all of them have done it. Alla domanda su quanti dei partecipanti utilizzino regolarmente strumenti di IA generativa nella vita di tutti i giorni, un terzo ha risposto di sì. Eastes has made a demonstration of conversations with ChatGPT, has created images and has shown that artificial intelligence is undergoing rapid development, also in the field of music. "ChatGPT non è Wikipedia, non raccoglie conoscenze", ha sottolineato, "è interessato solo alle regole e alle probabilità". E lo ha dimostrato concretamente: ha convinto ChatGPT che nella tonalità di Re maggiore ci sono tre diesis invece dei due corretti, al che l'IA si è scusata e gli ha dato ragione. As an assistant, in any case, ChatGPT is very useful: it can read long tests, send a font of ideas, give form to e-mails and much more.

Successivamente, Philippe Müller has fornito informazioni dall'associazione. In 2025, the Swiss Association of Music Schools will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a series of tours of Switzerland, in collaboration with the Pestalozzi Foundation's PowerUp radio station for children. There was also an animated discussion about the Giovani Talenti Musica promotion program and the relative situation in each canton.

In any case, the future of the Swiss Conference was also on the agenda. Almeno a livello organizativo, ci saranno cambiamenti a partire dal 2024, poiché all'Assemblea dei delegati il 24 novembre è stato deciso che in futuro non si terrano più conferenze regionali "dall'alto verso il basso", ma secondo il principio "dal basso verso l'alto". This means that the ASSM will not organize more intercantonal conferences, but will remain available if this is necessary. The interventions of the presenters have clearly shown that Switzerland needs this conference. I rappresentanti del Canton Vaud hanno accettato di assumere l'organizzazione della Conférence Romande 2024.

Photo: Anicia Kohler

"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

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)

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.

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)

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. 

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."

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.

"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.