Thinking school music internationally

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HfMT school music students on exchange with Aix-en-Provence

Background: Prof. Serge Mazeau and Prof. Dr. Hans Bäßler from the HfMT established contact a year ago on the initiative of the University of Marseille/Aix-en-Provence. The desire to expand international cooperation led to a link between the universities of two twin cities. In April of this year, a group of French students studying to become music teachers visited Hamburg and got to know the city, the university and the education here.

Now, from October 4 to 11, Prof. Bäßler and 13 German students from all semesters and teacher training programs made a return visit. A varied program awaited the Hamburg students there. The visit to two different schools in Marseille gave them an impression of the French school system, as did the discussions with representatives of the university and the respective hosts. In addition, the students were also given an insight into studying at the university and the conservatory. Academic and artistic training takes place there as part of the Bachelor's degree. Teacher training does not begin until the Master's degree course - a major difference to the German study system, as the French guests noted during their visit to Hamburg. Now the prospective music teachers from Hamburg were also able to experience the differences between teacher training and everyday school life, which gave them plenty of food for thought for their further studies and their own practice. The openness of all participants, whether teachers or students, with regard to political and pedagogical discussions was particularly remarkable and fundamental to this exchange.

The week was also marked by musical work in a joint choir. The results of this collaboration were presented at a reception in Marseille City Hall and at a small concert in Aix-en-Provence. The fact that the exchange was such a success is largely due to the great commitment of all students, who undertook the planning on site, hosted guests and thus created a particularly friendly atmosphere.

The unanimous conclusion of the participants is that the resulting learning experience can hardly be acquired in the regular course of study. It would therefore be extremely gratifying if this exchange laid the foundation for further international cooperation in the field of school music education at our university.

The exchange between the Hamburg University of Music and Drama and the Université d'Aix-Marseille was funded by the two universities and the Franco-German Youth Office.

Text: Nicolas Dreessen, Frederik Loop