The Finnish capital is abuzz with creativity and intellectual discourse as over 1,300 music educators and researchers converge for the 36th World Conference of the International Society for Music Education (ISME). Hosted by the University of the Arts Helsinki, this influential event runs from July 28 to August 2, 2024, under the theme “Advocacy for Sustainability in Music Education.”
Renowned for its excellence in music education and environmental consciousness, Finland is a fitting stage for this year’s conference.
ISME’s president, Bo Wah Leung, lauds the region's progressive stance: "Finland and the Nordic countries lead the way in education, art, and ecological sustainability. These elements are vital for the global music education community and the planet."
The conference is a melting pot of ideas with over a thousand research presentations tackling current issues in music education. Finnish scholars, particularly from the Sibelius Academy, will shine a light on topics like the synergy between arts and natural sciences, music’s role in language education, and instilling sustainable values through music.
A standout session will feature researchers Tuulikki Laes, Guadalupe López Íñiguez, and Professor Heidi Westerlund from the University of the Arts Helsinki. Their keynote, blending video, music, and sound installations, will examine the political and societal impacts of music education. Esteemed international speakers, including composer Kristina Arakelyan, researcher David Maggs, and conductor and human rights advocate André de Quadros, will also share their insights.
Beyond the academic rigor, the conference promises vibrant cultural experiences. The Musiikkitalo café’s “Finnish Corner” will offer daily performances from 12 to 2 PM, featuring Sibelius Junior Academy students and the pioneering joint kantele ensemble, providing a sonic taste of Finnish music. These performances are free and open to all.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, open-air concerts will take place on the Musiikkitalo terrace on July 31 and August 1 at 5 PM. Wednesday’s highlight is a performance by Resonaariduo Vili & Juho with Friends, followed by Thursday’s ISME Jam, featuring a talented lineup led by Max Tabell on keyboards, Antti Ahoniemi on bass, and Mooses Kuloniemi on drums.
The University of the Arts Helsinki’s history of leadership in music education is well noted, having hosted ISME’s world conference in 1990. That event, themed “Music Education Facing the Future,” reflected on the profound global shifts of the time. Today, the focus has evolved to address ecological and societal transformations impacting our world.
Professor Heidi Partti, the Conference Local Chair from the Sibelius Academy, remarked, “We believe that music and the arts hold immense potential to drive positive change globally.” This ethos aligns seamlessly with ISME’s mission to cultivate a global network of music educators and highlight music’s pivotal role in lifelong learning and cultural exchange.
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