What is Classical:NEXT?

The international meeting and platform for all art music professionals

Expo / Conference / Showcase Festival / Networking

Classical:NEXT is the global networking and exchange hub dedicated exclusively to classical and art music, for all professionals – artists, managers, presenters, orchestras, labels, educators, press, media, publishers and more.

Classical:NEXT consists of an interactive conference, project pitches, showcase concerts, expo, innovation award and networking.

By taking part in Classical:NEXT, you join over 1,400 professionals from about 50 countries worldwide.

We help the global scene optimise what this art form is and can be, as well as how it is presented, disseminated and received. We believe in planting seeds for postive change: Change for audiences, for society and for the professional art music ecosystem. We strive to unite all professionals who identify with classical and art music, providing them with a place to meet and connect, do business, brainstorm, create and be inspired.

A unique music meeting, which is..

… a “user generated content” platform
… a community project
… for all sectors
… for all countries
… for institutions and individuals on every budget level

Call for proposals
out now!

Classical:NEXT is a community effort with a jury selected programme.

Make a proposal for our 2025 edition in Berlin (12–15 May) for …

Showcase concerts
Club showcases
Conference sessions
Project pitches

Deadline: 4 October 2024

A Unique Music Meeting

Last edition: Classical:NEXT 2024 in Berlin

1400

Professionals

49

Countries

100+

Speakers

100+

Artists

What?

Classical:NEXT is made up of four main components: Showcases, Conference, the Expo and networking.

In the Showcases, artists and productions are presented in a series of short concerts offering artistic directors, concert bookers, journalists and more a unique opportunity to gain an overview of artistic activity within a short space of time.

The Conference offers presentations, seminars, discussions, one-to-one and roundtable mentoring and other formats to help delegates tackle burning issues and to keep up with changes, trends and innovations around the world. Within the Conference, you will also find Project Pitches: targeted, fast-moving opportunities for creators and those on the lookout for new creations, a “seek-and-find” for collaboration and inspiration.

The Expo exhibits the work of labels, publishers, agents, festivals, associations and others, and offers a meeting point for all delegates and serves as the main networking hub. Developing partnerships and forging relationships lies at the heart of Classical:NEXT and the global networking runs through each activity of the event. It’s the prime opportunity to connect, learn and share with colleagues near and far.

New to Classical:NEXT? We highly recommend you read this great primer for c:N newbies written by Frank J. Oteri.

Oder ein Bericht aus deutscher Sicht gefällig? – Philipp Krechlak schreibt über die ‘Musikkonferenz mit Weltblick’.

Why?

“Classical:NEXT unites the global classical and art music community, creating a worldwide movement to explore potential paths forward into the future.”

– Classical:NEXT mission statement

Classical:NEXT enables art music professionals from all sectors to work better together. A unified classical and art music scene increases relevance and effectiveness in both business and creative aspects and positive change within the professional scene, as well as society as a whole.

How?

Over the course of four days, hundreds of delegates meet, discuss and learn about, as well as from, each other. In addition to being a networking event, Classical:NEXT has established itself as a key opportunity to promote and explore new talent, new creative ideas and future-oriented business practices.

95% of delegates would like to come again and would recommend Classical:NEXT to colleagues.

– Classical:NEXT Online Survey

Who?

Classical:NEXT community members are cultural multipliers ranging from grass-roots DIYers to the most established companies and institutions, including Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, Spotify, Universal, China National Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonics, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, etc.

Join now and connect with delegates from more than 700 companies.

Classical:NEXT 2025:
Berlin again!

See you next year:
12-15 May 2025 in Berlin

Days

Hours

Minutes

Facts & Figures

Since our first edition in 2012, more than 5,000 professionals from all sectors have engaged with Classical:NEXT, making it the largest international gathering for art music innovators. The eleventh edition took place in Berlin, 14–17 May 2024, gathering 1,400 professionals from 49 countries.

Classical:NEXT Online

Classical:NEXT is not just an annual meeting: it is a year-round worldwide movement for all sectors and all approaches in art music. Stay connected and network via our online community and directory. Keep in touch with contacts old and new.

The Jury

Hand-picking the most promising and innovative ideas for our programme, the jury is made up of independent and international members who select the Showcases, Conferences and Project Pitches from community proposals.

Adem Holness

UK | Head of Music at SXSW London

Previous to SXSW, Adem was Head of Contemporary Music at Southbank Centre, curating and overseeing 150+ contemporary music gigs & events a year in London, including the iconic annual Meltdown Festival and shows with Brian Eno, Max Ritcher, Stormzy, Honey Dijon. Adem was the Music Curator at the Horniman Museum in South London, where he spearheaded the award winning 696 festival, exhibition and programmes. At Arts Council England, Adem led the Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund for London. Adem is a fellow of Clore Leadership & a member of the first cohort of PRS Foundation’s Power Up scheme, an initiative supporting Black music creators and industry professionals to address anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector.

Akiko Kono

JAPAN | General Manager of Music Division at Suntory Foundation for the Arts/Senior Producer of Suntory Hall.

For 25 years, Akiko has been engaged in music programming at Suntory Hall, Tokyo, where she organized a variety of concerts and projects for example organ adventures for Kids, school programming, contemporary music festivals, lecture concerts and an exhibition for Western-Eastern classical music communication.

Cathy Milliken

AUSTRALIA/GERMANY | performer, composer, creative director

Cathy Milliken studied with Heinz Holliger and Maurice Bourgue and is a founding member and former oboist of the Ensemble Modern working extensively with artists such as György Ligeti, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Pierre Boulez, Fred Frith, and Frank Zappa. She lives in Berlin as a freelancing composer, commissioned and internationally recognized for her works for concert, opera, radio and film.

Daniele G. Daude

FRANCE/GERMANY | Scholar, Dramaturge, Founder of Com Chor, Founder of The String Archestra

Daniele G. Daude (Dr. Dr. phil.) completed their first doctorate in theatre studies specialized in performance analysis, and their second doctorate in musicology specialized in opera analysis. Daniele is Maître* de Conferences for Aesthetics and Philosophie and works as a lecturer in German and French universities. Daniele founded and led the community Choir Com Chor Berlin (2013-2023) and The String Archestra (2016-) to perform works by Black, Indigenous and PoC composers that have been erased from a canonical musical historiography and repertoire. The String Archestra won the first TONALi Award 2021 for their longstanding work. Daniele works currently as a scholar and dramaturge for theatre, concert and opera.

David Sakvarelidze

GEORGIA | Theatre and opera director

David Sakvarelidze is currently serving as the General Director of the Tsinandali Festival, Principal Director of the Rustaveli National Theatre, Artistic Director of the Sokhumi State Drama Theatre and President of International Theatre Institute Georgia UNESCO. His work often delves into themes such as surveillance, personal freedom, and the influence of media on social development.

David Taylor

UK | Arts Entrepreneur, Consultant, Coach, and Author

Described as an “arts innovator” by the BBC and named on the Forbes 30 under 30 Europe 2018 list, David Taylor has built his career on a dynamic and energetic approach to bringing innovation to the arts. The author of “The Future of Classical Music”, he regularly speaks and writes about the classical music industry and arts entrepreneurship. During lockdown, David created the “How to be an Online Musician” blog series to help musicians affected by the pandemic, reaching over 100,000 people. David created Yorkshire Young Sinfonia (YYS) in 2015, growing it to reach an audience of over 7.5 million people in just 4 years. In 2017, he led YYS to become the first youth orchestra in the world to be 100% digital in partnership with the app Newzik, using iPads instead of sheet music. David’s accomplishments and pioneering approach to digital marketing have led him to become a highly sought after consultant and coach with arts organisations and individuals in the UK, Europe, and the USA.

Dorothee Kalbhenn

GERMANY | Programme Director at Konzerthaus Berlin

Dorothee Kalbhenn, Programme Director at Konzerthaus Berlin since 2022, is a specialist for new and holistically conceived concert formats and festivals. In 2024 her project “The Orchestra Society” – designed for Konzerthaus Berlin – won the prestigious Opus Klassik prize as “Innovative Concert of the Year”. From 2011 to 2021 she was part of the team at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg that opened the new venue in 2017. She was also manager of the orchestra “ensemble reflektor”, founding the festival “ultraBACH” and receiving awards by Toepfer-Stiftung and Nordmetall Stiftung in 2019. She taught at Leuphana University Lüneburg for ten years and regularly presents lectures, concert talks and live shows. Her texts are published by organisations such as Peter Lang Verlag and Transcript Verlag.

Douglas Beck

USA | Director, Artist Training Programs Weill Music Institute, Carnegie Hall

Starting in 1989, Beck worked for one of New York’s leading artist managements, ICM Artists (now Opus 3 Artists), before becoming Executive Director of the inaugural Maazel-Vilar Conductors Competition in 2000. He continued to work with Lorin Maazel over the next 10 years on a range of international projects and as Executive Director of Maazel’s Chateauville Foundation and Castleton Festival. In 2017 he was named as one of Musical America’s Professionals of the Year. Douglas Beck joined the staff of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute as Director, Artist Training Programs in October 2011, overseeing the Hall’s range of intensive workshops and masterclasses for young professional musicians as well as the launch of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. Beck led the creation of a new youth orchestra festival, World Orchestra Week (WOW!) in 2024.

Sarah Martin

USA | concertmaster involved in fashion, film and gaming

As a seasoned performer, Sarah has played chamber music internationally as part of Lincoln Center Stage, served as Concertmaster for various orchestras, and frequently performs with London’s Chineke! Orchestra.

Beyond the classical realm, Sarah is deeply involved in the fashion, film, TV, video game, and theater industries. She has appeared in the film *Tár* and contributed to soundtracks for blockbusters like ‘Wakanda Forever’ collaborating with Alicia Keys and Adele as well as fashion houses like Gucci. Her work earned her the Best Music 2022 award at the Fashion Film Festival Milano for her composition and performance in Moncler’s acclaimed ‘A Night At the Museum.’

Veerle Simoens

BELGIUM | cellist, artistic director Flanders Festival Ghent

Veerle Simoens (Ghent, Belgium) studied Cello in Antwerp with Prof. France Springuel and Essen with Prof. Christoph Richter. As an active soloist and cellist in Belgian orchestras and ensembles she was a member of the SimoensTrio winning several awards and performing all over Europe. In 2010, Veerle Simoens took over as General Manager of Casco Phil, the Belgian Chamber Orchestra, an ensemble with a rather unconventional approach when it comes to programming. In 2014, she made a career switch to the Artistic Programming position at the renowned Flanders Festival Ghent before becoming Artistic Director in 2016 and then General and Artistic Director in 2018. Under her leadership, Flanders Festival Ghent grew into the largest festival for classical music in Belgium. Veerle Simoens is also a regular guest on TV and radio and a demanded keynote speaker at international conventions and business community networks alike. She is, amongst others, vice president of Gent2030 and president of the European Chamber Music Academy in Vienna.

Zsuzsanna Szálka

HUNGARY/AUSTRIA | Music curator and university lecturer

As the classical and contemporary music curator at the House of Music Hungary, Zsuzsanna Szálka shapes diverse musical experiences. As an international music management lecturer at the Central European University and at the University of Applied Arts in Budapest, her focus is on cultural project management and organizational development. Her innovative approach shines as a curator for the Ördögkatlan Festival, where she introduces exciting chamber music concerts and engaging workshops. Zsuzsanna’s past roles include fostering international relations at Müpa-Budapest and heading concert management at the Liszt Academy of Music. A pioneering cultural manager, she organized the Kultúrfürdő Festival, founded the Night of Choirs, and directed the Átlátszó Hang New Music Festival for several years. Passionate about raising awareness of women’s creative power in music, she has led initiatives like MusicaFemina International and Play It Loud!, trying to make a profound impact on the cultural landscape.

“I found that the Expo worked particularly well. It gave me a look into different countries, continents as well as organisations and the current work each of them are occupied with. The expo was for me the best place to meet people and learn about their current directions and projects by having in-depth and broad conversations.”

– Tang Tee Khoon, Arts Presenter & Concert Violinist, Singapore