Showcase
(Germany)
The arcis_collective reimagines chamber music by fusing it with the dance of today into a joint performing act. With the club production Live ❤️ Arcis, the group turns the venue into an immersive space and an up-close experience.
Presenter: arcis_collective
May 14, 2025, 23:15
- 23:45
Kater Blau
Meet-up
Share best practice examples and nightmare experiences
Participants of the session, including representatives of orchestras and ensembles for young professionals as well as stakeholders and partners will briefly share best practice examples and total fails from real life.
Coordinated by Maximilian von Aulock
May 14, 2025, 13:15
- 14:00
Colosseum
, Kino 4
off C:N Showcase
Berlin Club Stage
The renowned musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist STUDNITZKY presents a new, electronic interpretation from his moving collaboration with the Odesa Philharmonic Orchestra MEMENTO ODESA. The ECHO Jazz and OPUS Klassik awardwinner embodies genre-spanning Sound Art across jazz, classical and electronic music.
Presenter: Sebastian Studnitzky
May 14, 2025, 23:00
- 23:30
Kater Blau
Conference
Empowering Musicians: A Workshop on Mental Health and Systemic Change in the Classical Music Sector
WORKSHOP | How can we create systemic change to support musicians’ mental health? Join mental health experts as they present the ‘TUNE-IN’ framework, addressing challenges in the music sector. The workshop includes insights and strategies for mental health support / leadership training, and a call to action.
Chaired by Heather O’Donnell
with Angela Büche, Paul Roe
May 14, 2025, 14:30
- 15:45
Colosseum
, Kino 5
Mentoring Session
New ways in enhancing engagement and creativity
Music pedagogy is facing new challenges. What do we do when learners’ motivation for persistent learning declines? How do we change teaching methods that would improve their concentration and raise their interest for the long term?
With Susanna Ertolahti-Mertanen
May 13, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
off C:N Presentation
Harnessing AI to promote diversity in classical music concert programming
OpusXX presents an intelligent research assistant to help musicians and institutions integrate works by women composers in their concert programming.
Presenter: Vanessa Chartrand
with Michael Taylor
May 14, 2025, 14:15
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 2
Project Pitch
Garden of Vanished Pleasures is a multimedia, staged song-cycle devised and directed by Tim Albery, with music by composers Cecilia Livingston and Donna McKevitt.
Presenter: Lawrence Cherney
May 14, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Meet-up
Kick-start Classical:NEXT with inspiring connections
Kick off the conference with a warm and welcoming gathering! Join us at the bar in the Foyer after registration for an inspiring meet-up dedicated to women passionate about shaping the future of classical music and the performing arts.
Coordinated by Ashia Grzesik
May 12, 2025, 12:30
- 13:30
Colosseum
, Bar Foyer
Showcase
(USA)
Formed in 2020 in New York, the Anzû Quartet is an all-star ensemble dedicated to the music of our time and the recent canon.
Presenter: Anzû Quartet
May 13, 2025, 22:00
- 22:30
Säälchen
Film Showcase
This series follows Brussels Philharmonic bassist Thomas Fiorini through the process of realising his lifelong dream of recording and performing a concerto for bass guitar.
Presenter: Sonja Kochoutina
May 14, 2025, 12:00
- 13:30
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Conference
The Classical:NEXT user’s guide
PRESENTATION | A special session designed specifically for new delegates, especially those new to large B2B gatherings, to help them maximise all of the available opportunities at Classical:NEXT.
Chaired by Fabienne Krause
with Aliena Haig
May 12, 2025, 15:00
- 15:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Innovation Awards
The Classical:NEXT Innovation Award highlights groundbreaking projects that are shaping the future of classical music worldwide. It celebrates individuals and initiatives that drive progress through bold, yet thoughtful and effective, experimentation in ideas, planning, and action.
May 14, 2025, 18:00
- 19:30
Colosseum
, Kino 10
Mentoring Session
Develop your international network!
You are an artist or a music professional and would like to work more at international level. In this session, we will discuss strategies to develop your own international network, including objectives and expected benefits, tools, implications on your organisation and its development.
With Helena De Winter
May 13, 2025, 15:30
- 16:15
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Meet-up
Strategies for the DIY Music Community.
“Not everyone who works in music works for large organisations. Many of us have to wear multiple hats to get our work heard and produce the projects we want to create. We have to do it all ourselves including fundraising, marketing, booking, recording, releasing and so much more. It has always been difficult. However, often someone else has been through the same thing as you and is willing to share their experience.
Coordinated by Matthew Whiteside
with Romina Lischka
May 13, 2025, 12:15
- 13:15
Colosseum
, Kino 4
Opening Night
(Piano and voice)
May 12, 2025, 19:00
- 23:00
KühlhausBerlin
Conference
How standing out creates a storm of impact | Boat Cruise
DISCUSSION & PRACTICE | Dare to be different: This session turns authenticity into action and celebrates the power of not fitting in.
Chaired by Sandra Janke
Project Pitch
A cutting-edge experience for VR
What if anyone could play music in the concert hall? Concerts of the Future invites you to sit on stage in a cutting-edge VR experience, performing alongside musicians – no experience required.
Presenter: Dr. Ciaran Frame
May 12, 2025, 16:30
- 17:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Project Pitch
Immersive music celebrating neurodiversity
Double-ARIA nominated pianist/composer Nat Bartsch presents Forever Changed: a suite of ambient lullabies exploring her autistic/ADHD identity.
Presenter: Nat Bartsch
May 13, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Showcase
(Indonesia/UK)
Aris Daryono is an Indonesian composer, traditional gamelan musician, and educator based in London. His music is deeply rooted in his gamelan heritage, which he explores and integrates with Western ensembles and electronic elements to craft distinctive soundscapes.
Presenter: Aris Daryono
May 13, 2025, 16:30
- 17:00
Colosseum
, Kino 10
Showcase
Tarozzi-Walker Duo (Italy)
A contemporary re-interpretation of female folksongs of northern Italy.
Presenter: Silvia Tarozzi Presenter: Deborah Walker
May 14, 2025, 12:00
- 12:30
Colosseum
, Kino 10
Conference
Come play at future intersections of technology, literacy, and creativity
WORKSHOP | What might the future of digital literacy look like for creative communities in 2035? And how might technological skills drive positive outcomes, innovation and opportunity?
Chaired by Suzanne Stein
with Patti Schmidt, Rhyna Thompson
May 13, 2025, 13:30
- 14:45
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Project Pitch
Let’s follow the Dutch example and create an international Composers’ Day to honour and celebrate living composers.
Presenter: Esther Gottschalk
May 13, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Project Pitch
Led by internationally acclaimed artist Rachel Jones, Hey, Maudie radically redefines creative models in opera by combining literature, poetry, music and fashion.
Presenter: Rachel Jones
May 12, 2025, 16:30
- 17:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Meet-up
Invite only international speed meetings & networking event
Country Connections is an annual networking event that brings together delegates from around the world for quick fire meetings. These meetings will facilitate introductions and broker business connections with practitioners and companies from around the globe.
Coordinated by Larry Heath
May 13, 2025, 11:45
- 12:45
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Mentoring Session
Self-manage and dynamically develop your artistic career as an musician
Can an artist be their own concert agent? A short meeting with young musicians beginning their careers as musicians or organisers. Are you dreaming of a unique career? Don’t wait for the phone to ring, take things into your own hands.
With Prof. Krzysztof Komendarek-Tymendorf
May 14, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Conference
Why your orchestra’s branding isn’t attracting new audiences
PRESENTATION | “We have finally found a way to measure if your orchestra’s brand is attracting or deterring new audiences and what people actually think when they encounter your brand for the first time.”
Chaired by Cecilie Szkotak Nielsen
with Søren Mikael Rasmussen, Sabrina Solis
May 13, 2025, 13:00
- 14:00
Colosseum
, Kino 2
Film Showcase
Die Wandlung is an art film inspired by Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, visually narrating an ancient Romanian legend.
Presenter: Michael Riemer
May 13, 2025, 12:00
- 13:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
off C:N Showcase
Berlin Club Stage
Dive into the mesmerising soundscape of Alex Stolze’s latest record “רעש ורוח, – Raash ve Ruach”: this work weaves together the contrasts of contemporary classical music and electronica, where the violin takes center stage, singing in place of words during a time that often feels speechless.
Presenter: Alex Stolze
May 14, 2025, 21:00
- 21:30
Kater Blau
Conference
A hyper-local approach to community place-making
INTERACTIVE PANEL | What better way to define the orchestra’s role in modern society, than to ask the community itself? The session highlights a hyperlocal approach to building community partnerships, exploring co-curating projects and the experience of genuinely embedding an orchestra in its community.
Chaired by David Burke
with Rachael Perrin, Campbell Parker
May 12, 2025, 17:00
- 18:00
Colosseum
, Kino 2
Mentoring Session
Exploring and Communicating Your Unique Value
Classical musicians often neglect to explore their unique value, leading to discomfort in self-promotion. These mentoring sessions will help participants recognize their individuality and raise awareness about leveraging digital tools to enhance visibility and build a strong personal brand.
With Tiziana Tentoni
May 13, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Showcase
(Iceland)
The Icelandic flute septet viibra performs four works from their celebrated debut album viibra, released last year, which explores the possibilities of expanded flute playing.
Presenter: viibra
May 14, 2025, 21:30
- 22:00
Säälchen
Conference
Practical strategies for building inclusive, flexible workplaces in Music
PRESENTATION | The expansive & inspirational work that PiPA does to keep us all moving towards fairer and more accessible workplaces is more important now than ever.
Chaired by Anna Ehnold-Danailov
May 13, 2025, 11:00
- 11:45
Colosseum
, Kino 3
Opening Night
Piano meets the rare contra alto clarinet.
May 12, 2025, 19:00
- 23:00
KühlhausBerlin
Meet-up
One-on-One Conversations on Current Topics Steered by EFA
Join the ‘Networking Session’, coordinated by the European Festivals Association (EFA), for a dynamic series of one-on-one conversations with professionals from the global music sector. This networking space offers an opportunity to meet new colleagues, share insights, and have focused discussions on key industry topics.
Coordinated by Luana Santos
May 14, 2025, 11:30
- 12:30
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Project Pitch
Why do we long for connections? With “Let’s Play: Connection Loading”, Godot Komplex, Ella Estrella Tischa, and Christina Mäckelburg created a hybrid concert project exploring connections with oneself, the environment, and others.
Presenter: Johannes Worms
May 12, 2025, 16:30
- 17:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Conference
Reimagining musical participation for art music audiences
WORKSHOP | How do you get 10,000 people to play art music on the kazoo? Join us for a hands-on workshop that takes a deep dive into audience participation.
Chaired by Dr. Ciaran Frame
May 14, 2025, 10:30
- 11:15
Colosseum
, Kino 4
Conference
Orchestras - a political entity and political force?
PRESENTATION | Is classical music above the political and social trends and issues of our time? No!
Join us in exploring how the classical music industry can shape the future through programming and communication!
Join us in exploring how the classical music industry can shape the future through programming and communication!
Chaired by Marlene Brüggen
with Henriette Kupke
May 13, 2025, 16:30
- 17:30
Colosseum
, Kino 2
Mentoring Session
Opportunities and challenges of playing by heart
More and more orchestras and ensembles are playing entire symphonic works from memory – a trend seems to be emerging. What is the motivation behind it? Will this practice catch on, even outside the independent scene?
With Justus Wille
May 12, 2025, 12:15
- 13:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
off C:N Showcase, Showcase
(Faroe Islands)
The Faroe Islands may be a small country, but it boasts a thriving music scene across all genres. Someone once said that the Faroe Islands must have the largest music scene on the planet per capita—and we believe that might just be true.
Presenter: Kristina Thede Johansen
with Ólavur Jakobsen
May 12, 2025, 16:00
- 16:30
Colosseum
, Kino 10
Conference
How to make classical music meaningfully accessible for disabled people
INTERACTIVE PANEL | Three leading British changemaking organizations explore what accessibility truly means. Join representatives from Attitude is Everything, Drake Music, and Black Lives in Music for a reflective session on achieving accessibility and inclusion.
Chaired by Paul Hawkins
with Sally Currie, Roger Wilson
May 12, 2025, 16:30
- 17:30
Colosseum
, Kino 3
Meet-up
Exploring New Horizons in Classical Music Performance
What will the classical concert of the future look like? How can we sustain and expand audiences while balancing tradition and innovation? A recent study by music festival Heidelberger Frühling and market research institute GIM provides key insights into audience preferences and the challenges of concert formats.
Coordinated by Sonia Simmenauer
Coordinated by Johannes Everke
Coordinated by Johannes Everke
with Floriane Schroetter, Simon Holst, Marlene Brüggen
May 12, 2025, 13:00
- 14:00
Colosseum
, Kino 4
Mentoring Session
Overcoming financial barriers to help musicians reach their full potential
Access to high-quality instruments is essential for musicians to reach their full potential. However, the high cost of these instruments presents a significant challenge, particularly for young artists. This session will explore innovative solutions to help musicians overcome financial barriers and gain access to the instruments they need to advance their careers.
With Anja Schulze
May 13, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Project Pitch
Mobilephoneorchestra.com (MPO) is an inclusive concept for contemporary classical music, engaging youth with smartphones in expressive performances with professional orchestras/ensembles/soloists.
Presenter: Anders Lind
May 12, 2025, 16:30
- 17:45
Colosseum
, Kino 7
Conference
Breaking the Cycle of "We Should"
INTERACTIVE PANEL | Real change in the classical music industry starts with honest conversations and bold action. Let’s challenge the status quo with some spicy questions and inspire progress together!
Chaired by Kian Jazdi
with Dorothee Kalbhenn, Beat Fehlmann, Hannah Bregler
May 12, 2025, 15:30
- 16:30
Colosseum
, Kino 2
Mentoring Session
Overcoming financial barriers to help musicians reach their full potential
Access to high-quality instruments is essential for musicians to reach their full potential. However, the high cost of these instruments presents a significant challenge, particularly for young artists. This session will explore innovative solutions to help musicians overcome financial barriers and gain access to the instruments they need to advance their careers.
With Anja Schulze
May 12, 2025, 12:15
- 13:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Conference
How to succeed in your net zero journey in classical music
INTERACTIVE PANEL | If we in the cultural business can’t establish a sustainability culture, who else can? The good news is, there’s a solution for every challenge. It’s time for us to lead the way.
Chaired by Lea Brückner
with Jacob Sylvester Bilabel, Jean-Frédéric Caron, Aliena Haig
May 13, 2025, 11:15
- 12:30
Colosseum
, Kino 2
Showcase
(UK)
Gabriel Prokofiev is a composer of classical and electronic music, and the founder of Nonclassical record label and events (launched in 2004). Through Nonclassical, he is one of the leading proponents of presenting classical music in non-traditional venues, and pioneered the concept of bringing DJ sets to late-night classical gigs.
Presenter: Gabriel Prokofiev
May 14, 2025, 23:45
- 00:15
Kater Blau
off C:N Presentation
Unlocking new dimensions with immersive hyperreal sound
This two-hour session explores the creative and experiential potential of immersive hyperreal sound in classical and classically inspired music.
Presenter: Ole Bækhøj
with Maestro Ralf Weikert, Belle Chen, Burke Turner, Igor Longato, Ian Caballero, Göran Andersson
May 13, 2025, 15:30
- 17:30
Colosseum
, Kino 6
Mentoring Session
Exploring and Communicating Your Unique Value
Classical musicians often neglect to explore their unique value, leading to discomfort in self-promotion. These mentoring sessions will help participants recognize their individuality and raise awareness about leveraging digital tools to enhance visibility and build a strong personal brand.
With Tiziana Tentoni
May 12, 2025, 12:15
- 13:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Conference
Decentering Institutional Norms in Classical Music
PRESENTATION | The classical music sector is said to be highly inert and resistant to change. How do we crack and transform these institutional “default” settings?
Chaired by Leyla Ercan
May 14, 2025, 11:00
- 11:45
Colosseum
, Kino 5
Conference
Artistic leadership of socially and musically diverse ensembles
WORKSHOP l Gain an insight into artistic leadership with socially and artistically diverse groups. Practical music making, questions and dynamic conversation.
Chaired by Sigrún Sævarsdóttir-Griffiths
May 12, 2025, 15:15
- 16:00
Colosseum
, Kino 5
Meet-up
What you've always wanted to talk about but never dared to
A candid, off-the-record exchange between orchestra managers, addressing the complex internal and external challenges they face and exploring possible solutions together.
Coordinated by Gerald Mertens
Coordinated by Pamela Coats
Coordinated by Pamela Coats
May 12, 2025, 15:45
- 16:45
Colosseum
, Kino 4
Conference
Empowering communities through music and collective action
PRESENTATION | Using music as a tool for inclusion, we redefine cultural rights and empower vulnerable communities through innovative musical repertoires.
Chaired by María Juliana Velásquez Trujillo
with Diego Zapata, Paulo Salazar
May 13, 2025, 13:45
- 14:45
Colosseum
, Kino 4
Mentoring Session
New ways in enhancing engagement and creativity
Music pedagogy is facing new challenges. What do we do when learners’ motivation for persistent learning declines? How do we change teaching methods that would improve their concentration and raise their interest for the long term?
With Susanna Ertolahti-Mertanen
May 14, 2025, 10:15
- 11:00
Colosseum
, Luna Bar
Showcase
(Turkey/Germany)
Composer, pianist and electronic artist Kaan Bulak and trumpet virtuoso Simon Höfele present their sonically immersing album “No Clouds in Haraz” in a program with their own works framed by excursions to Giacinto Scelsi and improvisations.
Presenter: Kaan Bulak Presenter: Simon Höfele
May 13, 2025, 23:15
- 23:45
Kater Blau
Conference
Navigating the challenge of public funding cuts
INTERACTIVE PANEL | With governments globally cutting funding for the arts, industry expert Mark Pemberton leads a session on navigating the challenge and forging solutions.
Chaired by Mark Pemberton
with Aurélie Foucher, Dr. Juliana Hodkinson
May 13, 2025, 14:15
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 3
Project Pitch
One-hour space opera in motion manga.
“Beethoven Wars, a fight for peace” is a high-tech immersive scenic project in motion manga, built on Beethoven’s stage music “König Stephan op.117” and “Die Ruinen von Athen op.113”, performed live by the Insula orchestra and choir accentus.
Presenter: David Lehodey
May 14, 2025, 14:00
- 15:15
Colosseum
, Kino 7
