Introduction to Asia Kodaly Symposium (AKS)
The Asia Kodaly Symposium (AKS) is a biennial event presented by the Kodaly Academy of Music (Singapore) in collaboration with the Kodaly Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music (Hungary). The symposium sees a panel of world class international educators and conductors coming together to share their experience and expertise in lively hands-on workshops and presentations that will empower musician-educators in their daily work. Music professionals ranging from conductors, instrumental teachers in private studios, music classroom teachers to music students have attended the AKS.
AKS aims to inspire, promote and bring about better understanding of the arts and culture to the masses through the Kodaly Concept – a comprehensive system that is still evolving today, encompassing music philosophy and sophisticated teaching techniques that are applicable to amateurs and professionals alike. The AKS has traditionally been a platform that celebrates the diversity of arts and culture through concerts by both emerging and established artists. It is also hoped that AKS can provide opportunities for learning, understanding and collaboration between composers, artists, sponsors in spearheading and pioneering arts in a sustainable manner.
The 5th Asia Kodály Symposium will be held in Singapore from the 15-21 August 2022 in a hybrid conference format that will encompass both ‘live’ face-to-face physical interaction and virtual lectures.
Symposium Objectives
- To inspire, promote and bring about better understanding of the arts and culture to the masses through the Kodaly Concept.
- To provide an international platform that celebrates the diversity of arts and culture.
- To provide opportunities for learning, understanding and collaboration between composers, artistes and sponsors in spearheading and pioneering Arts in a sustainable manner.
Past Editions:
2020: Virtual Edition, Singapore (view programme here)
True to our core values of excellence, people and innovation, KAM was one of the earliest innovators and adopters of the virtual conference format, putting together its largest ever symposium – over 30 hours of top-notch content by leading musicians, thinkers and educators from around the world. The 4th AKS was also testament to the KAMSG team’s organisational capabilities, putting together a week-long symposium with just 2 months preparation. Hosted by Singapore, the international event was held in celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Hungary-Singapore and premier choir collective Schola Cantorum Singapore Ltd.’s 5th Anniversary.
2018: Kaohsiung, Taiwan (special edition!) (view programme here)
The AKS was held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan from 15-18 August 2018 for a second time because of significant support and positive feedback from local universities and communities. AKS 2018 provided participants with more in-depth insights into Kodaly-inspired education, with progressive musicianship training, lesson demonstrations as well as choral training and direction for conductors. A roundtable discussion for the local community was well attended where top conductors and educators shared their experiences.
2016: Kaohsiung, Taiwan (view programme here)
The AKS was held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan for the first time from 11 to 14 August 2016. Apart from workshops and presentations for conductors, music studio and classroom teachers as well as music students, the AKS also featured a choral festival themed ‘Let the World Rejoice’ where top choirs came together to compete and perform in a friendly atmosphere. This event is envisioned as the Asian Grand Prix for Choral Singing.
2014: Jakarta, Indonesia (view programme here)
The inaugural 2014 AKS was successfully held in Jakarta, Indonesia with over 400 participants including delegates, performers and concert-going audience. The performances at the symposium featured some of Indonesia and Taiwan’s most established artists as well as emerging conductors and choirs.
