Beginning in 2020, four Dutch institutions – Conservatorium van Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, HKU Utrechts Conservatorium and Utrecht University – embarked on a multi-tiered collaboration to bring the practical and academic study of music closer together. Enabled by a Leadership grant from the Comenius program of the Netherlands Initiative for Education Research, these collaborations led to an exchange of existing courses and new joint offerings between the partner institutions.
In this symposium, we explore the benefits and challenges of bringing the practical and academic study of music closer together. What does it mean to start a collaboration across the divide between university education and vocational training? Students, lecturers, staff, and administrators from different conservatories and universities share their visions and experiences. The symposium will consist of lectures, discussion panels, showcases of work by students, and performances.