Classical:NEXT is an international association bringing together players and stakeholders active in the field of classical music. These include musicians, concert promoters, record labels, orchestras, broadcasters and media people, etc.: In a nutshell, anyone making money with classical music or helping to do so. Jennifer Dautermann, Director and Master Mind of Classical:NEXT, approached the AEC earlier this year as the area of higher music education is not yet properly represented in this organisation, whilst they are in good contact with many relevant actors from other areas.
In its own words, the Classical:NEXT activities and events do “focus on innovation, increasing relevance and effectiveness in both business and creative aspects of the industry, (…) aiming to push for positive change within the professional scene as well as society as a whole”.
At this year's Classical:NEXT annual conference, the AEC attended various sessions, including a network meeting on conservatoires and the industry, discussing opportunities for HMEIs to become ‘agents of change’ to prepare graduates to be fit for the industry's needs and expectations. The participants and actors will continue to discuss the links between the industry and conservatoires in the coming years. This should be the start of better representation of higher music education in Classical:NEXT.
AEC is looking forward to further develop these ideas and to gather input from among our members. You are welcome to contact the AEC office in order to make suggestions on how such cooperation could be embodied in concrete terms.
