WHAT happens when the brightest Polish and British music students and conductors collide during the International Year of Astronomy?
The result is the Copernicus Music Festival - a stellar event celebrating cross-cultural collaboration in music education.
Organised by K12 Conductors in Education in collaboration with Greenwich's Trinity College of Music, Blackheath Halls and the Academy of Music in Krakow, Poland, the Copernicus Music Festival will bring UK and Polish students together for, offering them an unparalleled opportunity for professional development in performance and conducting.
It will be the first time students from all the UK music schools have been invited to train and perform together in a formal collaboration. The programme includes concerts, school workshops, public masterclasses and a public debate on the future of music education in Europe.
Named in honour of the great Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and inspired by the International Year of Astronomy, the festival will culminate in a performance of Holst’s famous Planets Suite and Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater by the International Student Symphony Orchestra, formed especially for the occasion.
Other highlights include a concert of contemporary Polish music given by young British ensemble the Aurora Orchestra, joined by dancers from Laban tomorrow. In addition, a public debate on the future of music education in Europe will give the audience the chance to put questions to a panel of leading experts.
This will be followed by a concert, including Mozart’s Symphony no. 36 and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 4, conducted by eight student conductors from Poland and the UK.
Derek Aviss, principal of Trinity College of Music said: “Trinity is delighted to be involved in this exciting international collaboration and we are looking forward to working with the other UK conservatoires for the first time in this capacity.
"The festival provides a great opportunity for students, leading professionals, and local community members to work with and learn from each other.”
Copernicus Music Festival. Blackheath Halls and Holy Trinity Church, South Kensington. Until December 5. 020 8463 0100.
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