The starting point of this panel discussion was a unique laboratory for experimentation with music and sound, known as BIG BANG Festival. The international festival of musical adventures for young audiences, taking place currently in 17 cities all over Europe and in Canada, is the context in which many daring projects have been created and presented.
Session 1: creating adventurous projects for young audiences
What are the challenges in creating and programming music projects for children? The following discussion introduced contemporary and innovative ways in the creation of music projects for young audiences. Whether they flirt with contemporary sounds or revisit tradition, whether they invent new ways of listening or try out modes of interaction, these processes are an inspiring journey along uncommon pathways towards creation for and with young audiences.
Speakers:
- Wouter Van Looy, artistic director of Zonzo Compagnie, founder of the Big Bang Festival, stage director of opera and music theatre
- Letizia Renzini, multimedia artist and performer, stage director
- Emma Driesprong, EU project manager of the Big Bang Festival, (inter)national relations Zonzo Compagnie
- Helena Tulve, composer
- (moderator) Reigo Ahven, CEO and co-founder of Fairmus, creative director of the rhythm music department of Tallinn College of Music and Ballet (MUBA)
The panel was curated by the Tallinn Philharmonic Society in cooperation with Zonzo Compagnie (Belgium), supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union
Session 2: The impact of music on children's mental and physical health
How to release mental tension and stress while listening to music or making music yourself? How to notice and listen to each other through musical activities? The discussion panel explored the relationships between music and mental/physical health, especially in children's development. How to support children's self-expression through music, what kind of music projects should be produced and what kind of simple techniques music teachers could use to have a positive impact on children were the main topics.
Speakers:
- Dr Nicholas Tscarouchas, Clinical neuropsychologist
- Diandra Russo, Co-director and lecturer of music therapy programme at the Zurich University of the Arts
- Ingrid Lukas, Musician and music therapist
- Marju Raju, Music psychology researcher at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
- (moderator) Helena Väljaste, Psychologist and mindfulness teacher
The panel was curated by the Tallinn Philharmonic Society in cooperation with Zonzo Compagnie (Belgium), supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.