For ten years, CEMPE worked on knowledge development about teaching and learning in higher music education as a Centre of Excellence in Education. In November 2023, the centre marked its conclusion by inviting participants to the conference Connection, collaboration & co-creation - Ways forward for higher music education.
Higher music education faces new challenges and increased demands for renewal, more diversity in both student groups and study programmes, and programmes that are more in tune with the working life and society in which students will work after graduation. How can music education programmes proactively address these challenges? How can students be more challenged to develop their own artistic visions during their studies? How can we work more across the boundaries between genres, disciplines, institutions and between teachers and students? And how can we bring about change without losing the quality inherent in the traditions and culture of the conservatoire?Through keynotes, presentations and panel discussions, these questions were highlighted and discussed. The conference ended in a festive concert with a programme from CEMPE's project portfolio.