MUSic higher EducatioN meetS the cyber dimEnsion

<< Background >>Music graduates faced significant challenges in redefining their role within society and the job market. The impact of COVID-19 on young students in higher education institutions (HEIs) specializing in classical music was profound yet often overlooked. This crisis led to a “lost generation” of artists who were excluded from the traditional performance circuit (Coronavirus consequences for the cultural sector, EU Parliamentary Research Service, 2020).Within a short period, both HEIs and the broader music and arts sectors had to rapidly adapt, compelling music students to rethink their skills and explore new performance models (The Future of ICT for Creativity and Creative Industries, European Commission, 2021). MUSense addressed this urgent need by equipping higher education music institutions with the tools to embrace digital transformation. The project fostered innovative teaching and learning approaches that supported the development of new performance practices while maximizing the potential of digital media.<< Objectives >>The main goal of the project was to enable the targeted groups to develop a new perspective on performance events and audience engagement. MUSense sought to go beyond using digital technologies as mere communication tools, instead demonstrating how their integration reshaped the musical experience and transformed traditional aesthetics (Technology and Music Performance in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, Frederickson 1989).Through MUSense, we aimed to foster a profound shift in mindset among key actors in higher music education—students, teachers, staff, and institutional leaders—empowering them to actively influence and reshape the long-established chain of artistic expression. One of the core objectives was to encourage teachers, staff, and students to reconsider their roles in engaging with a remote or broader audience, incorporating this shift into both their curricula and artistic performances. This approach fundamentally redefined the relationship between skills, performance, and audience interaction.Ultimately, MUSense established a lasting and dynamic connection between artistic skills and cyber performance, positioning this interaction as a cornerstone for the future of digital creativity.<< Implementation >>Throughout the MUSense project, we carried out a range of activities aimed at integrating digital technologies into music education and performance. Specifically, we:-Developed new curricula and best practices focused on digital technologies, virtual and augmented reality in the context of music.-Designed and tested innovative models for cyber and distance digital music performances.-Trained students to deliver pilot blended performances, combining live and remote elements, and engaging audiences both in person and virtually despite the challenges posed by the health -crisis.-Enhanced the capacity of partner institutions to simultaneously evolve their training methods and approaches to disseminating artistic forms.-Created specialized course modules to update skills, competencies, and technical knowledge, incorporating digital technologies while building on previous project experiences.-Organized international mobility programs, including blended mobility initiatives, short training activities, and intensive projects, to foster new learning approaches and artistic collaboration.-Strengthened sustainable future entrepreneurship opportunities by enhancing digital competencies among students and professionals.<< Results >>The MUSense project achieved the following key results:-Conducted analyses and studies to identify international models and best practices in innovative cyber and distance performances.-Mapped out the most advanced models and curriculum developments related to IT and cyber practices in music performance events.-Developed an online repository in the form of an open-access platform, organizing all project results in a structured and easily accessible format for higher education institutions and stakeholders.-Delivered training and teaching activities for music students, teachers, technicians, and staff, enhancing their ability to develop new skills in audience engagement and music performance.-Produced comprehensive guidelines outlining new models and best practices to support the continued evolution of digital music performance and education.These outcomes contributed to strengthening the integration of digital tools in music education and fostering new approaches to performance and artistic dissemination.Website and tookits: https://musense.eu/en/ Repository: https://musense.eu/en/repo/