ABOUT
enCORE Classical is a creative experience that searches for new ways to approach classical music, looking at it from the perspective of young people.
In view of the marginalization of classical music nowadays, young music professionals have an encompassing role and responsibility that goes beyond the mastery of their instrument and standard repertoire: In order to keep classical music relevant and sustain the profession of the classical musician in the 21st century, new skills are needed that enable the next generation of professionals to intensify their connections to wider society and develop new ways of performing and communicating classical music. In addition to the artistic qualities obtained through the formal music education systems, future musician must develop a wider understanding of their own role as artists today and tomorrow.
Promising approaches for new ways in classical music already exist and are underway across the world (artists, productions, venues...). Yet they often are not distributed in a way so as to be experienced and shared by the young protagonists and to enable learning and local application. Opportunities for international networking, sharing and peer-learning therefore promise to complement the education of young musicians in the most effective and future-oriented way.
enCORE Classical – New ways in classical music is JM International’s capacity- building programme for young classical musicians who are ready to assume an active role in society and become ambassadors for classical music.
With a series of interactive conferences, the programme addresses the current shortcomings of the formal music education systems and aims to inspire, support and empower the exploration of new ways in performing and communicating classical music, seeking contact and interacting with (young or new) audiences. The programme draws on non-formal, interactive learning approaches and peer-to-peer learning. The interactive conferences bring together international experts from a variety of related areas and participants from across the world to discuss and share experiences. The programme contains such elements as encounter and exchange, training sessions and study visits.
The programme design builds upon a consultation workshop held by JMI with young musicians from different countries in Strasbourg in April 2018, where participants identified two major areas of intervention: a) the relevance and role of classical music nowadays b) knowledge of the music landscape and industry; empowering young musicians to prepare for life as professional musicians.
JM International
enCORE Classical is a program of JM International (JMI).
JMI is a global network of NGOs that provides opportunities for young people and children to develop through music across all boundaries. Open to all styles of music, we work for and with youth, harnessing the power of music to bridge social, geographical and cultural divides, creating an international platform for intercultural dialogue and acceptance.
JMI was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1945 by a group of compassionate musicians and organisers who saw music as a means of bringing young people together to overcome the divides created by the two World Wars. Today JMI is present in over 45 countries worldwide and continues to enable young people to develop through music across all boundaries.
JM International is known within the classical music world for the JM World Orchestra, the world's first and longest running global orchestra for youth created in 1949 and directed by illustrious conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Masur, Zubin Mehta and Charles Dutoit. Discontinued in 2013, the JMWO still represents a significant part of the history of the JM movement. It provided young musicians with professional musical opportunities at the highest artistic level, touring twice annually as ambassadors for world peace and intercultural understanding.