Retreat in the canton of Zurich
At the beginning of September, the VMS Board met for a retreat in the beautifully situated Kappel am Albis monastery. As every year, one of the main items on the agenda was an exchange with the local cantonal association - this year with the Association of Zurich Music Schools and four representatives of its board.
On the first day, the Forum for Musical Education 2025 and the 50th anniversary in the same year were on the agenda. The discussions already showed that 2025 could become a highlight in the history of the association. The board discussed burning issues in the music school landscape and the good practice competition for projects at music schools.
Young talents in music
This was followed by a valuable exchange with Lorenzetta Zaugg from the Federal Office of Culture on the status of the "Young Talents in Music" program. Almost all cantons have now been able to submit concepts - the VMS will make the concepts available on its website as soon as possible. Another federal program, "Youth + Music", will focus on the topic of equal opportunities in the next funding period - a possible expansion of the offer was discussed. In the evening, a workshop by Mami Irisawa on Gregorian chant and 16th-century polyphony provided a lively atmosphere - after a brief introduction and supported by the acoustics in the monastery church, the board sang "Ave Maria" in four voices.
Artificial intelligence and music schools
Another fixed point of the retreat was an input on artificial intelligence from Richard-Emmanuel Eastes, lecturer at the HES-SO, who has been supporting the association in matters of digitality since 2022. "AI is not a magic thing ((ce n'est pas un truc magique))", he said and gave a positive example of how ChatGPT can be used sensibly by both teachers and students as a coach. His conclusion: dealing with AI needs to be learned.
Exchange with the Association of Zurich Music Schools
VMS President Philippe Krüttli welcomed four representatives of the Association of Zurich Music Schools to an exchange. "We want to use the network and promote exchange between the cantons," he said. The "Young Talents in Music" program and data protection in music schools were also discussed. A cozy aperitif in the monastery garden and the subsequent dinner further promoted getting to know each other and the existing good cooperation.
After another day filled with topics such as the multi-year target plan, which is submitted to the Assembly of Delegates for approval in November, Philippe Krüttli thanked everyone for the good atmosphere and the concentrated and creative collaboration and gave an outlook for next year: the retreat will take place in Geneva in 2024.
