Designing Voices for Our Lives is an international artistic initiative launched in the lead-up to Expo 2025 Osaka, inviting young musicians to reflect on the Expo’s central theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, through the universal language of music.
The project was initiated by Prof. Elisabeth Gutjahr, Rector of the Mozarteum University Salzburg and Vice President of the AEC, and artistically led by Prof. Jörn Andresen, with the support of the AEC – Association Européenne des Conservatoires.
From 11 to 23 May, 2025, 46 students from more than 15 countries came together in Japan to form a truly international choir.
Hosted by Kobe College, the participants engaged in intensive rehearsals and cultural exchange, preparing a multilingual a cappella programme exploring themes of voice, connection, and hope.
The experience featured three public performances:
- A debut concert at Kobe College, welcoming the local community and academic guests.
- A second concert at Harmony Hall in Matsumoto, one of Japan’s premier concert venues.
- A final, culminating performance at Expo 2025 Osaka, at the National Day Hall on Austria’s National Day.
Beyond rehearsals and performances, students explored Japan’s cultural richness through shared activities, excursions, and conversations: deepening artistic insight and fostering personal connection.
Go to AEC’s Instagram channel to relive the Designing Voices for Our Lives project by watching the highlighted stories.
Quotes from some of the students:
“I enjoy it a lot that we’re exploring such a varied repertoire with different languages, styles and time periods. This variety seems to me like a mirror, since we participants all come from different countries and backgrounds and connect through singing together. In my opinion, this project shows once again that music is a universal power that overcomes all differences.”
– Tamara Obermayr, Universität Mozarteum Salzburg
“Making music with people from all over the world was truly beautiful. What I will never forget was the incredible community and friendships we built in only two weeks!”
– Anisa Karmout, Joseph Haydn Privathochschule für Musik
“Designing Voices for Our Lives was a really eye-opening experience. The opportunity to meet people from all around Europe and the world, learn about their culture and get to know their music was a rare privilege, and so important in this challenging time for international cooperation. Ensemble music has a wonderful way of reminding us of our common humanity.”
– Donncha McDonagh, Royal Irish Academy of Music
We warmly thank Mozarteum University, the city of Salzburg, the Austrian Pavilion, Kobe College, the AEC, and the Expo 2025 Osaka organisers.
We are especially grateful to the AEC Member Institutions who supported their students’ participation in this meaningful project.
And most of all, thank you to the students, whose dedication, openness, and creativity made Designing Voices for Our Lives a truly memorable and inspiring experience.
