World Music students are part of the "Ensemble Colourage

Together they explore the possibilities of musical interplay in order to combine the strengths of the different cultures into a common whole. On July 1 at 7:30 p.m., the ensemble will present its first showcase of work.

The ensemble Colourage, consisting of musicians from the Staatsphilharmonie, the Oriental Music Academy Mannheim and the study course World Music of the Pop Academy Baden-Württemberg, works on the development of a transcultural musical hybrid form, based on the systems of European art music and the musical traditions of the Middle East. This crossover format is intended to unite the genuine strengths of both musical worlds. In an open-ended practical process, the musicians investigate how such a hybrid form can function on an equal footing. The subject of the discussion and questioning are the respective traditions, conventions and ways of playing.
With the concert program, Ensemble Colourage will present an interim status of its work on July 1, 2021 at 7:30 pm. In perspective, it will be examined whether the developed music can be expanded to a format that can be transferred to the entire orchestra. Also with the goal of being able to attract new audiences to this new format.

"Crossover formats between publicly funded classical orchestras and 'oriental' musicians are currently booming. In practice, it can often be observed that in the daily rehearsal routine of publicly funded orchestras, there is hardly any real contact between 'classical' and project-related guest musicians. The tightly scheduled time frame and the established rehearsal traditions often lead to music making side by side instead of together. Private conversations during rehearsal breaks, for example, tend to be the exception. Hosting 'special' projects in orchestras' programs creates a hierarchy between client and contractor that perpetuates a colonial attitude," said André Uelner, diversity development agent for the German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate. "The fact that several solo musicians from the orchestra are participating in this project at the same time, and are also exposing themselves as a result, is testimony to the high status that this project has in the orchestra," continues André Uelner.

The concert dates at a glance:
Thurs., July 01, 2021 7:30 p.m., location to be announced.

The Bachelor's degree program in World Music at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg covers the main areas of Turkish, Arabic West African and Indian music, as well as their connection to popular music both in their countries of origin and in their cultural development in the popular culture here. All areas of world music are sought for the accredited program: classical, traditional, as well as transcultural music in conjunction with fusion, jazz, popular music, and Western art music.

Application deadline: May 20, 2021

In cooperation with the
State Philharmonic Orchestra Rhineland-Palatinate
and the Oriental Music Academy Mannheim