The AEC Pop and Jazz Platform 2024 took place at the Syddansk Musikkonservatorium in Odense, Denmark on 8-11 February 2024, under the title “HANDS ON! Methods, Skills and Sustainability for a Future In Music”
Over the course of 4 days, the 172 participants from 21 countries enjoyed the usual mix of keynote speeches, open floor sessions, on-stage conversations, discussion groups and networking moments and thanks to the initiative of the host institution, a new program element was included in this year’s edition – Workshops.
The Speakers and workshops are selected and determined through a call for contributions.
With the help of the workshops and already familiar platform elements, it sparked a discussion about the sustainable future of the profession and presented the skills and methods we could use to get there in practice.
The event started with the Students’ meeting organised and moderated by the PJP Working Group and EPASA.
After this session, the participants had the chance to discuss the topics of the pre-conference – Methods, Skills, and Sustainability – in breakout groups consisting of teachers, heads/managers, and students. At the end of the day, participants could engage in the traditional Danish Hygge, fostering an atmosphere of warmth, comfort and togetherness, followed by a jam session.
This year’s programme featured keynote sessions by Karen Vincent (Warner Music Denmark – SDMK) and Thommy Andersson (SDMK) addressing the topic of gender equity and the power of listening which was later discussed in groups.
Moreover, during the event, committed members of the Folk, Traditional and Global music community together with representatives from the AEC Council and office team, held a panel discussion on the possibility of creating a new AEC Working Group dedicated to Folk, Traditional and Global Music.
In total, the conference presented 10 different workshops with subjects aimed at enriching musical abilities and teaching practices and 12 open floor sessions offering a range of topics from innovative teaching approaches and student empowerment to the integration of technology and research methodologies.
Sunday, February 11th saw the latest instalment of VoCon, the conference tailored for vocal instructors. VoCon serves as a forum where Jazz, Pop, and other music educators and students in higher education share their best practices. The day began with performances by vocal department students, setting the stage for a series of insightful presentations.
AEC would like to warmly thank everyone who made this platform gathering possible, particularly the Syddansk Musikkonservatorium in Odense and the PJP Working Group members, all of the speakers and all the participants who attended the meeting.
A special thanks for his contribution goes to one of the PJP Working Group members now leaving the Working Group: Mario Carrillo.
