About us
The Art of Music Education is a series of international expert symposia on the future of concert halls. In cooperation with the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and supported by the European Concert Hall Organisation, the conferences at the KörberForum have established themselves—since their launch in 2008—as a central platform for discussing education-related questions within the European music sector. They stimulate debate on the role of concert institutions in our society.
In many cities around the world, new concert venues have been built in recent years — exciting architectural landmarks such as the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg are now recognised as symbols of their cities.
But what kind of music is being performed in these buildings? In what formats, and for which audiences?
Cultural institutions can only succeed if they continually evolve in dialogue with society. Concert halls should serve as public spaces that bring together a wide range of communities and social groups.
As societies change, cultural institutions face new challenges. For publicly funded music institutions, this raises the question: how can concert culture in Europe remain vibrant, diverse, and appealing to shifting audiences — and how can it attract new ones?
To achieve this, music education and outreach must be strengthened as an integral, wide-ranging responsibility of concert institutions.
With the symposium The Art of Music Education – Creating Mindsets for Concert Halls, we have offered, since 2008, a biennial platform for professional exchange, good practice, and networking among actors from across Europe.
Organisers
Social progress requires dialogue and mutual understanding. Through practical projects, networks, and strong partnerships, the Körber-Stiftung addresses current challenges in the fields of Knowledge for Tomorrow, International Understanding, and Vibrant Civil Society, while also providing Cultural Impulses for Hamburg.
Founded in 1959 by entrepreneur Kurt A. Körber, the Körber-Stiftung is now active both nationally and internationally with its own projects and events.
In January 2017, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg was officially opened. Situated in the flow of the River Elbe and surrounded by water on three sides, the concert hall has become a major attraction for both Hamburg residents and visitors from around the world. The spectacular building houses two concert halls, an extensive music education area, restaurants, a hotel, and the public Plaza, which offers visitors a unique panoramic view over the entire city. Artistic excellence, diversity, and accessibility define the musical programme of Hamburg’s new cultural landmark.
Partner Organisations
The European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO) is an active network that brings together many of Europe’s most important concert halls, enabling them to exchange ideas on a professional level, reflect jointly, and launch new initiatives.
Since its founding in 1996, Kultur Management Network has developed into one of the leading digital information services and providers for professionals and executives in the European cultural sector. One of its core offerings is the Kulturmanagement job market, which connects qualified personnel from all fields and sectors of cultural management with organisations and companies in both the public and private cultural spheres. In addition, kulturmanagement.net supports cultural practitioners in their daily work with an extensive editorial range, including digital guides and practical tools, the Kultur Management Network magazine, website articles, and the podcast “Dienstags im Koi”.
ByteFM is a music and culture radio station based in Hamburg. Its programme, featuring carefully curated music selections, is created and presented by 100 journalists and scene experts. ByteFM is ad-free and funded by the support association “Friends of ByteFM”. The station has received numerous awards, including the Grimme Online Award and the Rocco-Clein Prize for Music Journalism.
