Open Ears – Open Minds

Listening and Understanding Music

We are what we hear! This year’s EAS conference will focus on listening and understanding music in educational and informal contexts, starting from the fact that listening is the essential basis for all other musical skills and cultural achievements. It determines our musical identity and even beyond music, it is central for any learning process from early childhood onwards.

To foster the ability to concentrate, to sort a variety of impressions, to perceive musical progressions as well as to pay attention to sonic details is an important task of music education. A musical ear is the prerequisite for meaningful music making with voice or instruments. In the context of global musical horizons and life long learning, it is a central aim of music education to develop an open-minded attitude towards new auditory impressions and musical experiences.

Reflecting the conference theme, contributors will present research findings, projects and examples of good pedagogical practices related to a wide range of educational settings. Alongside the presentations and discussions there will be the opportunity to choose from a variety of workshops.

 General aspects

•    Forms of aesthetic perception, experience and understanding
•    Open-Earedness and the appreciation of musical diversity
•    Listening biography and musical identity

Method discussion

•    Listening in classroom context and concert pedagogy
•    Listening in connection with music making
•    Aural education in music teacher training

Interdisciplinary topics
•    Effects on general learning
•    Influences of the media and changes to the acoustic environment
•    Music listening in cognitive psychology and neuroscience