The Italian Erasmus+ National Agency INDIRE, in cooperation with the AEC and  the Conservatorio di Musica “G. Verdi” in Milano, organised the first Erasmus+ Transnational Cooperation Activity (TCA) contact seminar for Higher Music Education Institutions on 16-19 September 2026. After the fruitful collaboration between INDIRE and the AEC for  the Erasmus Orchestra, this in-depth workshop is the result of an enhanced cooperation between the two organisations in the framework of their Memorandum of Understanding. 

Under the title “Music Across Borders: Building Sustainable Partnerships in Higher Music Education”, 80 professionals and institutional representatives from more than 15 European countries met in Milan for a four-day event that served as a dynamic platform for networking, sharing best practices, and designing future international partnerships.

Video Presentation https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdY8v5bslg1/

A Celebration of European Unity: The Erasmus Orchestra

The artistic highlight of the seminar took place on September 18 at 19:00, when the renowned Erasmus Orchestra took the stage at the historic Sala Verdi of the Milan Conservatoire.

Conducted by Maestro Elio Orciuolo, the ensemble—composed of exceptionally talented music students from various European institutions—delivered a unique performance open to the public. The concert perfectly embodied the core message of the event: music as a universal language capable of bridging borders, celebrating diversity, and fostering deep cultural integration.

Best Practices from the AEC

Beyond the musical performances, the TCA succeeded in its core mission: giving international coordinators and educators the tools and connections needed to build more resilient, high-quality partnerships. Best practices from the AEC network have been presented and discussed with the keynote speakers Raffaele Longo (Erasmus+ Capacity Building Project “Vietmus”), Salvatore Gioveni (Erasmus+ Cooperation Project “HarMA HUB), Martin Prchal and Samuele Riva (Erasmus+ University Alliance “IN.TUNE). Participants had the opportunity to propose discussion topics for the BarCamp session and act as rapporteurs of the many themed discussions that took place during the event.  The insights generated during the working sessions in Milan will undoubtedly shape upcoming Erasmus+ project proposals and reinforce the collaborative fabric of the AEC network.

For more details, photos, and media from the event, you can visit the official Erasmus+ INDIRE portal.