Austria lacks home-grown talent
On the occasion of a Long Night of Austrian Music Universities, five leaders of the educational institutions met to discuss common topics, tasks and challenges. They are particularly concerned about the lack of young talent in Austria.
The Long Night of the Austrian Music Universities ("Take five") spanned a program arc between baroque music and Georg Friedrich Haas, drama and jazz, dance and performance.
At the invitation of Rector Elisabeth Freismuth, the Anton Bruckner Private University from Linz with its Rector Ursula Brandstätter, the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna with Rector Franz Patay, the Mozarteum University Salzburg, represented by Vice-Rector Sarah Wedl-Wilson, and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna with Rector Ulrike Sych were guests at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz on March 17, 2017.
The impressive performance of the students in the context of "Take five" in particular demonstrated the high quality of education at Austrian music universities, the participants agreed. At the same time, a worrying decline in the proportion of Austrian students can be observed. In order not to be left behind, it is urgently necessary to set a sustainable and effective course in basic musical education through schools and music schools.
According to those responsible for the educational institutions, a living "Austria as a land of music" is not only an important economic factor, Austria as a cultural nation also has a unique international reputation to lose.
