June 9-12, at Cinema Studio, Timisoara

Classical ME Summit 2026. Music, Health, Wellbeing

Scena muzicală and the European Music Council bring the 14th edition of the European Forum on Music to Timișoara, June 9-12, at Cinema Studio.

As part of this major European gathering, the Classical ME Summit returns as a dedicated strand of the Forum, curated by Scena muzicală and focused on audience development, artistic sustainability, and the future of classical music in Europe.

This annual conference brings together musicians, cultural managers, and music professionals from across Europe for a dynamic dialogue on the present and future of music.

This year’s theme – Music, Health, Wellbeing – explores the essential connection between music, artistic practice, and human wellbeing in an increasingly complex cultural landscape.

The Classical ME Summit 2026 addresses the urgent transformations shaping the classical music sector, with a particular focus on how institutions and professionals can better support emerging generations of artists while ensuring long-term sustainability and continuity in the field.

SHOWCASES

Showcases serve as a platform for artists to present their talents to the discerning audience of Classical ME.

From traditional Romanian music, brass and chamber music to jazz, electronic sounds, spoken word, DJ sets and cross-cultural musical journeys, this year’s programme brings a rich variety of artistic moments to Timișoara.

Complementing the discussions, panels and workshops dedicated to Music, Health & Wellbeing, the musical intermissions, concerts and evening performances will create shared spaces for listening, connection and reflection.

The EFM 2026 is organised by the European Music Council, in partnership with the Asociația Scena Muzicală (RO) and the Center for Projects of the Municipality of Timișoara. It will take place at the Cinema Studio Timișoara.

Conferences and Networking Sessions

The program will bring together international agencies, cultural organisations, and music professionals to explore key topics such as:

audience development strategies and new ways of engaging listeners,
sustainable career pathways for young artists and cultural managers,
wellbeing, resilience, and mental health in artistic professions,
innovation in music management and cultural leadership in a changing European context.

A strong emphasis is placed on intergenerational exchange, mentorship, and knowledge transfer, highlighting concrete models of best practice from across Europe. Showcases featuring young artists and emerging ensembles will offer visibility and real professional opportunities, reflecting the Summit’s commitment to the next generation of musicians.

Through conferences, debates, and networking sessions, Classical ME creates a space for collaboration, reflection, and action within the wider European Forum on Music.

SPEAKERS

Irene Calvís Rovira

Responsable LiceuApropa - Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona

Irina Lucan Arjoca

Anna Tiszolczi-Bertalan

Head of Marketing and Audience Relations, Budapest Festival Orchestra

Program

Tuesday, 09 June 2026

Venue	Cinema Studio Timișoara
15:00 -18:00	EMC Annual Meeting of Members
19:30	EFM Opening Evening Musical intermission Performers: Mădălin Luca, Maluse

Wednesday, 10 June 2026

Venue	Cinema Studio Timișoara
09:00	Registration and coffee
09:30	Official opening Musical intermission Performers: Philharmonia Brass Quintet
10:15	Keynote speech: Music: from the language of the unspoken to the science of healing by Angelica Postu
10:45	Q&A with the audience
11:00	Coffee break
11:30	Panel discussion: Policies for Music and Health Guillermo Rodriguez, Botiquín Cultural , Harmon (ES) Sonja Greiner, Benefits of Singing, European Choral Association (DE) Ana Zão, Portuguese Directorate General of Health (PT) Nils Fietje, World Health Organisation (WHO) – (Online participation) Moderator: Jennifer Davison
13:00	Lunch break
14:00	Musical intermission Performers: Beck Corlan & Johnny Kui
14:30	Interactive workshop sessions / in parallel Artistic Intelligence, Monica Vejgaard and Mimi Harmer Health and Wellbeing: Exchanging Experiences – Sharing Testimonials
16:00	Coffee break
16:30	Panel discussion: When crisis disrupts lives, music can help restore connection Martha Lomeli Recover with Music, JMI (BE) Taras Demko, Beyond Crisis Management: Building a Resilient Cultural Ecosystem, (UA) Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor, Safemuse (NO) Moderator: Silja Fischer
17:30	GreenBeat: Nexus
18:00	End of day programme
20:00	Concert at the The Stronghold Synagogue Performers: Maria Marica – violin, Gabriel Gîțan – piano

Thursday, 11 June 2026

Venue	Cinema Studio Timișoara
09:00	Registration and coffee
09:30	Music, health and wellbeing in practice with Anna Bednarska
10:00	Panel discussion: Music and Health Across the Stages of Life Session co-ordinated by Robert Vroegindeweij Robert Vroegindeweij, Music and Health for elderly people (NL) Jimmie Nolsøe, Gunnild Bak de Ridder, Music and Wellbeing is art (DK) Claudia Cacovean, Music for Motherhood, Cluj Cultural Center (RO) Victoria Kumhyr-Novak, Music, Health and Societal Resilience in Ukraine (UA) Moderator: Robert Vroeghindeweij
11:30	Coffee break
12:00	Project presentations Music on Prescription Thomas Dayan, Safety and Health behind the Scenes, FIM (FR) The Sound Voice Project (TBC) Jennifer Davison, Artswave (AT)
13:00	Lunch break
14:00	Musical intermission Performers: 150 Stoka & Lemarian
14:30	Interactive workshop led by Angelica Postu The Health of Musicians and Professionals in the Music Sector
16:00	Coffee break
16:30	EMC Lab / Parallel workshop sessions: Update on current debates on MFF and AgoraEU
17:30	Closing with musical intermission Performers: SoundsofOm
18:00	End of day programme
Evening	Venue: Faber Farewell party Performers: 8:00 PM – Bob Ramanka & Quartet 9:00 PM – JazzyBit 10:00 PM – Larisa & Duo

Friday, 12 June 2026

Venue	Cinema Studio Timișoara
10:30	Registration
11:00	Opening and Musical intermission Performers: Patrik Dragalina – violin, Tudor Ionescu – violoncello
11:30	Keynote speech LiceuApropa — The social outreach program of an opera house by Irene Calvís Rovira
13:00	Lunch break
14:00	Musical intermission Performer: Darius Cîrstulescu – horn
14:15	Panel discussion Strengthening licensing agreements and ensuring fair contracts Cristina Uruc – Manager of Artexim Irina Lucan-Arjoca – Intellectual Property Rights Specialist Ovidiu Florian Andriș – Manager of the Banatul Philharmonic Timișoara Davide Grosso – Director of Programmes & Partnerships of the International Music Council
15:30	Coffee break
16:00	Keynote speech From First Encounter to Lasting Loyalty – Audience Engagement at the Budapest Festival Orchestra by Anna Tiszolczi-Bertalan
17:30	End of the day programme
19:00	Concert – Banatul Philarmonic Timișoara – Sala Capitol

Registration

Access to the summit is free, but registration is recommended in order to reserve your seat.

The event is organized by the European Music Council, in partnership with Scena muzicală and Center for Projects Timișoara. Classical ME is part of the multi-annual project Musical Crossroads, funded by the Municipality of Timișoara through through the Center for Projects.