Bologna & Music

 

The Bologna Declaration has important effects on professional music training in higher education in Europe. The European Association of Conservatoires (AEC) has been studying these effects since 2001 through the following European cooperation projects:

 

1. ERASMUS Network for Music “Polifonia” (2007-2010)
This second cycle of “Polifonia” builds on many successful outcomes of the first period, but also explores new issues in 3 strands:
1. The ‘EHEA’ (European Higher Education Area) Strand with activities aiming at the implementation, monitoring and further development of tools and approaches in relation to recognition, comparability and quality assurance.
2. The ‘Lisbon’ Strand with activities addressing issues related to the ‘Education & Training 2010’ Agenda of the Lisbon Strategy.
3. The ‘Research’ Strand aiming at studying the role of research in higher music education and its contribution to the quality of teaching and learning.

More information on this new ERASMUS Network is also available on the Polifonia website.

 

2. ERASMUS Thematic Network for Music “Polifonia” (2004-2007)

This ERASMUS Thematic Network, jointly coordinated by the Malmö Academy of Music – Lund University and the AEC, involved 67 organisations in professional music training and the music profession from 32 European countries and 30 experts in 5 connected working groups. The aims of the project were:

  • To study issues connected to the Bologna Declaration Process, such as the development of learning outcomes for 1st (Bachelor), 2nd (Master) and 3rd cycle studies through the ‘Tuning’ methodology, the use of credit point systems, curriculum development, mobility of students and teachers, and quality assurance in the field of music in higher education.
  • To collect information on levels in music education other than the 1st (Bachelor) and the 2nd (Master) study cycles, in particular pre-college training and 3rd cycle (Doctorate/PhD) studies in the field of music.
  • To explore international trends and changes in the music profession and their implications for professional music training.
    Up-to-date information regarding the results of the “Polifonia” project can be found throughout this website and on the extensive Polifonia website.

 

3. ERASMUS Thematic Network “Innovation in Higher Arts Education” (2001-2004). This thematic network was hosted by the Hogeschool Gent in Belgium and was based on cooperation between AEC and ELIA (European League of Institutes of the Arts). In the framework of this Thematic Network, several joint events were organised and a joint position paper was developed. In this project, a European AEC Bologna Working Group was established, consisting of 8 members chosen on a geographically representative basis. The work of the AEC Bologna Declaration Working Group is described in detail in the document below. Also available are 2 project newsletters, which have been published during the project period.

 

With the aim to bring some clarification of Bologna issues seen from the perspective of the higher music education sector, a glossary of terms as well as answers to frequently asked questions can be found on this website.

 

Furthermore, all AEC policy papers with reactions by the AEC to important political developments linked to the Bologna process can also be found on this website.