This module aims to give meaning to the MOA programme by bringing together cultural insights from all parts of the Mediterranean region, with a particular focus on areas where the partner organisations are located. Through a more pedagogical lens, it aims to give participants an overview of the diversity of musical traditions around the Mediterranean Sea (i.e. in the Middle East, the Balkans, Turkey, Iberia and North Africa). Presentations will lead the participants to discuss the concept of a “Mediterranean identity” and to address the issue of cultural encounters, which – as creative as they have proved to be – can also result in misunderstandings.

This webinar focuses on the diversity of musical traditions on the Anatolian coast of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, it discusses the possibility of transcultural musical creation, by drawing on the experiences of Michael Ellison, an American composer who works with local musicians. We will be focusing on the importance of “regional” instruments and non-dominant narratives for composers.
Speakers: Şirin ÖZGÜNMichael ELLISON
Proposed by Istanbul Technical University MIAM

Makam music in Türkiye, a tradition almost six hundred years old, is still alive in today’s Türkiye. Taksim is an improvised instrumental composition. The instrumentalist shows her/his knowledge of Makam, the ability to create original musical ideas, and mastery on such instruments as the tanbur, the kemençe, the ud, the kanun, and the ney.
Speakers: Neva ÖZGENYelda ÖZGEN
Proposed by Istanbul Technical University MIAM

In our two webinars, I try to talk about the connection with two specific worlds: the Balkan area and the Middle East, in terms of territories and musical influences. Because there are a lot of possible unexplored paths. Still.
Enrico Merlin
Speaker: Enrico Merlin
Proposed by Ente Musicale di Nuoro

In our two webinars, I try to talk about the connection with two specific worlds: the Balkan area and the Middle East, in terms of territories and musical influences. Because there are a lot of possible unexplored paths. Still.
Enrico Merlin
Speaker: Enrico Merlin
Proposed  by Ente Musicale di Nuoro

The composer and lecturer at the ESML, focuses on the individual expression of four Portuguese composers. He shares and discusses with the participants contrasting music samples of recent works. The presentation of these works is complemented with a conversation moderated by Dr. Carlos Caires.
Speaker: Luís Tinoco
Proposed by Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa

The energy around us, how urgent it is to be whole: breath, intellect, heart, guts, movement and stillness, in this flight that Music is. It’s risky… Yes, it is! But just imagine the view from above! Jazz singer Maria João shares some of her views on singing and vocal performance.
Speaker: Maria João
Proposed by Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa

This webinar tackles three questions: (1) What defines a good section player? (2) To what extent does performing in a small classroom or an auditorium modify one’s way of playing? And (3) how can we understand a sound concept of a brass instrument through the scores of symphonic composers?
Speaker: Hugo Assunção
Proposed by Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa

This webinar put emphasis on the importance of the dialogue between our voice and the instrument we play. It draws from examples showing the multiple ways in which the guitar and the voice can interact, but also from insights on ear training´s contribution to sustainable musical development.
Speaker: Afonso Pais
Proposed by Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa

This webinar discusses the limits of jazz as a genre. Does jazz have an essence? If so, is it a palpable substance, or is it a process, a certain way of doing things? The discussion draws from examples of improvisations made on traditional melodies in a jazz context.
Speaker: João Paulo
Proposed by Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa

This webinar puts forward the multiple uses of percussion instruments as a model for creativity and exploration. Drawing from musical examples, it raises a question: how these peculiar (and infinite!) instruments can inspire musical and social change?
Speaker: Pedro Carneiro
Proposed by Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa

But what do we mean when we speak about “Mediterranean identity”? To answer this question, this webinar is devoted to a survey of periods when the Mediterranean world was (at least partly) unified. It also discusses contemporary music projects which claim a Mediterranean music identity.
Speaker: Martin Guerpin
Proposed by the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra and the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence

This webinar discusses the notion of “Mediterranean identity” within the music industry from the example of the project Circus as Intercultural Encounter (Caravan, 2022). An interactive discussion provides a space for musicians to reflect on their position within the music industry.
Speaker: Ophélie Mercier
Proposed by the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra and the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence

Medinea On Air is a European Union Erasmus+ funded programme that unites six partners from the Mediterranean region: the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence (France), the Ente Musicale di Nuoro (Italy), ARC Research and Consultancy (Malta), the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa (Portugal), the University of Ljubljana – Academy of Music (Slovenia), and the Istanbul Technical University (Turkey).

Medinea On Air aims to provide specific preparation for classical musicians and improvisers who wish to audition for the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra’s symphonic and Medinea Sessions; and more broadly, to enrich young musicians’ musical training. Therefore, in addition to Audition and Competition Preparation, the programme provides three other modules: Digital TechnologyCareer Development and Human, Social and Entrepreneurial Skills and Aesthetics, Cultures, Identities and Artistic Encounters.