MEMECO x APME International Conference 2026

L’educazione musicale ha storicamente sottorappresentato le compositrici. Ho sviluppato un percorso basato sulla gamification per introdurre gli studenti alla musica folk di Amy Beach, promuovendo modelli femminili. L’approccio sostiene l’identità musicale e personale, integra riflessione storico-critica e interpretazione, esplora l’uso dell’IA e favorisce pratiche eque e inclusive.

"The Art of Living with the Arts" is the ability to educate oneself by educating others, to listen to oneself by listening to others, to do in order to be. Schools and socio-educational environments in general need, now more than ever, to put people at the center of their educational project, giving attention and presence to what children, teenagers, young people, and adults bring into the relationship with themselves and with others. Didactics, technology, and education can never surpass human dimensions; and it will be increasingly necessary for professionals in the helping relationship to support the individuals they care for by guiding them to observe themselves and to experiment with expressive and creative practices starting from the sensory, emotional, and relational dimensions. And this is easier and more effective if done through non-verbal languages - music, theater, visual arts, body expression - which are the key to growing and helping others grow: if you are, you know; if you know, you can be ... but it doesn't mean that you are!

Developing a popular music program from the ground up that is accessible, diverse and creative is a challenge. This presentation follows the author’s experience of building a popular music education program in Ireland as part of a non-profit with support from one of the largest bands in the world, U2 that caters for over 2000 students.

Keywords: listening, choral singing, music education, citizenship, collective responsibility, plasticity
Keywords: listening, choral singing, music education, citizenship, collective responsibility, plasticity

Il progetto Raices al Viento nasce dall’incontro tra la cantante Cecilia Guzman Sanchez e il pianista Alessio Nelli uniti dalla passione per la musica tradizionale spagnola. Intrecciano il fervore della copla andalusa, l’intensità elegante del canto lirico e l’energia vibrante della musica latinoamericana.Sono l’esempio di come la musica classica, il pop, il folk e il jazz possono dialogare e fondersi in unica interpretazione. 

How can classic Neapolitan song be elevated to shared Mediterranean heritage? Through Roberto Murolo’s legacy, this concert-storytelling format transcends folklore by blending historical analysis with live duo performance. An educational framework for teachers showcasing artistic crossroads through guitar, voice, and percussion, offering a living, universal musical experience.

This demonstration presents Sicilian-Jazz as composer and performer Sissy Castrogiovanni’s approach to transforming cultural identity into contemporary songwriting. Through personal narrative and musical examples, the session shows how Sicilian language, rhythms, and vocal traditions inform her songwriting process, later extending into pedagogical strategies for composing, arranging, improvisation, and creative practice.

As an innovative part of the Music Industry degree program at Monmouth University, Blue Hawk Records offers an immersive and collaborative opportunity for students to obtain real-life experience in the various aspects of a recording business venture. This presentation will discuss the context and rationale for developing the student-run record label initiative, along with the methods, outcomes, and challenges of this flagship university program. Attendees will learn how schools might develop and benefit from establishing a similar program.

This interactive session introduces the handpan as a contemporary melodic percussion instrument, exploring its expressive, educational and social potential. Marco Bandera, Vice President of Pantribù APS, will present performance examples, teaching approaches and the vision behind the Calascio Handpan Experience, highlighting how the handpan fosters creativity, connection and shared musical experiences.

The Loop Lottery uses chance-based composition to spark creativity and build confidence in music-making. Participants select pre-made loops without previewing them, arranging them into a standard pop song format. This playful approach reveals surprising results, encourages collaboration, and teaches song structure while leveling the creative playing field for all learners.