Workshop 0:
Between Fixed Hierachy and Participatory Practice. Classical Music at a Crossroads

Filiz Oflazoğlu, Franziska Haberland

Classical music as a live performance is a highly ritualized phenomenon, characterized by specific codes that primarily appeal to a narrow segment of society: expert concertgoers. To many others, however, it can appear incomprehensible or even alienating. In recent decades, “Musikvermittlung” (music mediation) initiatives have focused on introducing children and young people to these rituals and the established canon of works. Despite these efforts, they have had limited success, as reflected in the rising average age of classical concert audiences compared to the 1970s.
But what if the classical music scene embraced a more open approach, shifting its mission from perpetuating a fixed hierarchy between „sender” and „receiver” to creating a dialogue that bridges diverse social and age groups (including children and youth) with the unique resources and opportunities offered by this highly specialized art form?

How might programming change if we incorporate the perspectives and expertise of diverse audiences in the planning process? What new possibilities emerge when audiences actively participate in developing content through prototyping and testing phases? What transformations occur when audiences temporarily take on roles of power and responsibility within classical music institutions as part of „take-over” formats? Could transdisciplinary networks and cross-regional exchanges become incubators for a more open-minded approach, providing productive provocations that challenge the insular world of classical music?

This presentation will showcase best practices and include interactive workshop elements from NJO, exploring innovative strategies for fostering inclusivity and revitalizing the classical music experience.