organised in collaboration with
Koor&Stem
participants
countries
On 14-17 November 2024, we were delighted to welcome more than 130 participants in the beautiful city of Leuven for our Membership Weekend 2024! The event consisted of:
- our Membership Day with a hybrid project presentation session and our presentations and discussion rounds to choose from
- networking time, time to meet your friends and make new contacts
- a hybrid General Assembly of the Friends of the European Choral Association
- our formal General Assembly for members and indirect members
- a workshop on financial sustainability and one on contemporary choral music from Flanders
- concerts with Flemish choirs and time to discover Leuven
For two days we had the unique chance to interact, learn, sing and meet with our fellow choral enthusiasts. Together, we tackled key topics for the sector, revisited past activities, and shaped our vision for the future of collective singing.
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS’ PROJECT PRESENTATION
During this inspiring session which took place in Vilnius and was livestreamed online, you can discover 10 inspiring projects from our members and Friends, showcasing a range of innovative and thought-provoking topics. You can learn about fundraising for German girls’ choirs, improving text intelligibility in choral singing, the creation of a Turkish Choral Library, the impact of music on mental health, promoting inclusivity in choral music, among other exciting initiatives.
MEMBERSHIP DAY DISCUSSION SESSIONS
On Friday morning the members met in parallel groups to learn about old and new projects, get inspired, and add their opinion and their ideas.
This year this session consisted of two different rounds as follows:
PRESENTATION ROUNDS
Youth Involvement – What this means, which tools are available and how you can suggest candidates for the next youth committee of the European Choral Association
Diversity and Inclusion in the European Choral Association – First recommendations, future plans
Our Environmental Strategy and Policies – What we have already achieved, which are the next steps, and how you can work on your own strategy and policies
DISCUSSION ROUNDS
What is the “Pyramid” of Auditioned Youth Choirs? – Discuss and learn more on the World Youth Choir, the European Youth Choir (fka EuroChoir) and the network of national youth choirs
What is the Future of Our Events? – Exchange on the result of the strategy retreat of the board, youth committee and team on future events (including results of choir survey)
What Matters to Our Members? – Brainstorm on topics that are important to our member organisations and share your wishes for future discussion rounds
GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH ELECTIONS
As usual, we looked back at 2024, including everything we achieved in our new network funding project IGNITE and other activities which took place during the year, as well as looked ahead at our plans for the years 2025 and beyond.
Furthermore, this year our members elected a new board of directors for 2025-2027 – read the press release below for all info!
PARALLEL WORKSHOPS
“Discover Contemporary Choral Music from Flanders” with Luc Anthonis (BE)
“Exploring Venues for Financial Sustainability” with Sophie Dowden (FR/UK) – recording available here on the left!
