Experten diskutieren vom 4. bis 6. März die Zukunft des Musiklebens

Hamburg, 12 February 2026: TAoME is celebrating a milestone – for the tenth time, the Elbphilharmonie and the Körber Foundation are jointly hosting the symposium for the international concert hall and music education community. Entitled »Out of Control – (Shared) Responsibility« this time around, The Art of Music Education 2026 explores the role cultural institutions can play in a society when value systems once considered secure are being shaken to their core. What promises do cultural institutions make to people – and can these promises be fulfilled? How can concert culture remain vibrant, diverse and appealing to a changing audience? Where do the opportunities and limitations of participatory formats lie? Harald Welzer, Lydia Grün, Claudine Nierth, Aladin El-Mafaalani and others offer insights into these questions. For more information about the programme, please visit: www.music-education.hamburg.

Sociologist Harald Welzer opens the symposium with a keynote address entitled »Kultur und Entzivilisierung – eine Standortbestimmung auf schwankendem Grund« (»Culture and Decivilisation – Taking Stock on Shaky Ground«). Afterwards, Constanze Wimmer, Professor of Music and Arts Education at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, musician Katherine Zeserson, and Lydia Grün, President of the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich, examine how the concerns and challenges of music education have evolved over the past two decades. The guest at the evening get-together in the Elbphilharmonie is Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

The opportunities and limitations of participatory cultural work form the focus of the second day. Teresa Hähn from Act Aware e.V. reports on awareness and anti-discrimination concepts in event management. Steven Walter, Director of the Beethovenfest Bonn, speaks with cultural scientist Martin Zierold about participation projects in the concert sector. Various workshops are intended to explore the subject of resilience in cultural institutions in greater depth. Among them, the artist and political activist Claudine Nierth presents the dialogue format »Sprechen & Zuhören« (»Speaking & Listening«) developed by Mehr Demokratie e.V. Louisa-Dominique Riedel (Otto Beisheim Foundation) and Anja Adam (Foyer Public Theater Basel) discuss third places in cultural institutions and emphasize the relevance of open, participatory spaces for society. In the evening, participants are invited to attend the concert »Elbphilharmonie Jazz Academy Reloaded« in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall.

The third day is devoted to practical insights. Participants have the chance to present their own music education projects and report on current research in the field. In a keynote speech, sociologist Aladin El-Mafaalani sheds light on the fault lines within our society. Sonja Anders, Artistic Director of the Thalia Theater in Hamburg, holds the closing address of the symposium.

About The Art of Music Education

As one of the most important international industry gatherings, The Art of Music Education (TAoME) is aimed at concert hall managers and staff, music educators, teachers and music journalists. The symposium has been organised biennially by the Elbphilharmonie and the Körber Foundation since 2008 and has established itself as a central forum for dialogue on educational issues in the European music sector. In addition to professional input through lectures, discussions and workshops, TAoME provides space for exchange as well as the development of new ideas and projects.

The Art of Music Education (TAoME)
4–6 March 2026
KörberForum
Kehrwieder 12, 20457 Hamburg

TAoME 2026 is being held in partnership with the European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO) and Kultur Management Network.

For press accreditation please contact presse@elbphilharmonie.de or bestenbostel@koerber-stiftung.de