Vol. X – 4–6 March 2026: ‘Out of control – (shared) responsibility’

NEWS: Registration for TAoME is closed, as all places have been filled.

The Art of Music Education (TAOME) is celebrating its anniversary! For the 10th time (4–6 March 2026), we will be examining the role of concert institutions in 21st-century societies.

Under the title “Out of Control – (Joint) Responsibility”, we want to discuss the working methods, approaches and visions of major cultural venues. And we want to do so against the backdrop of growing dynamism, complexity and uncontrollability in many areas of life.

Political disruption, social polarisation and multiple crises form the backdrop against which institutions ask themselves: What promises do we make to people – which ones can we keep? What is our future role – as a concert hall or opera house, as an orchestra or music festival? Which social developments can we accommodate (e.g. loneliness), which can we contrast (e.g. live experiences instead of screens) and where can we exemplify new approaches (e.g. participation and relinquishing interpretative authority)?

Three interwoven themes form the framework of TAOME X.:

‘Music education 2026 – taking stock and reinforcing’

This part uses inputs and panels to shed light on the state of music education in 2026: its position in the concert business, its resources, its mode of operation. Not representative, but in individual case studies. We look back and forward: it will be interesting to see what has changed in the discourse and in the scene since the first edition.

‘Out of Control’ – (Shared) Responsibility

‘Responsibility can be shared – participation is shared responsibility.’ This part picks up on the trend towards participatory cultural work. What does it mean to share responsibility and authorship more than we are used to doing – and to demand and allow more shared responsibility? How do we prepare ourselves for this? How do we deal with uncontrollability and loss of control? How do we strengthen ourselves? Where does disruption also offer an opportunity – especially in the arts? The theme of the conference also influences its working method: following a great response to our call for participation, we are offering participants a stage to provide inspiration and stimulate discussion with practical reports.

‘Music education in new contexts?’

We want to ask ourselves: What factors will influence music education and concert experiences in the future? How will this field continue to develop? Is the role model or understanding of the role of artists expanding – and if so, how? One example would be ‘artistic citizenship’. What image of (art) music do we want to develop further and thus overcome archetypes of artistic work from the 19th century?