Music in Nordic Institutions

The start of 2009 has been quite busy.

During the past two months I have had lectures and/or meetings at the following institutions:

• Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden

http://www.oru.se/templates/oruExtIntroPageLevel2____4965.aspx

• Rhythmic Music Conservatory, Copenhagen, Denmark

http://www.rmc.dk/en.html

• Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway

http://www.hib.no/english/

• Grieg Academy, University of Bergen, Norway

http://www.hf.uib.no/grieg/05english/start.htm

• Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, Norway

http://www.nmh.no/english

• University of Helsinki, Finland

http://www.helsinki.fi/university/

It is inspiring to see various new developments in the field of music at higher education institutions across the Nordic region. With the exception of Iceland, the Nordic region seems to have been less affected by the global economic downturn than most other parts of the world (and despite some very recent trends, might turn out to be as resilient as India), but even here there is increasing concern for the efficiency and financial viability of universities that will likely lead to further restructuring of national educational systems. Music continues to be valued and supported, with new approaches to performance, pedagogy, curriculum and research that may rightfully be regarded as “cutting edge” and innovative in a global context.

Here is a link to an insightful report from 2004 by Marja Heimonen that describes Nordic music conservatories:

http://www.nkinfo.org/files/Nordic%20Music.pdf

[I recently took the above photo of this statue of Grieg near his former residence in Bergen, Norway.]