What is Classical:NEXT?
The Global Gathering For All Art Music Professionals
Expo / Conference / Showcase Festival / Networking
Classical:NEXT is the global networking and exchange hub dedicated exclusively to classical and art music, for all professionals – artists, managers, presenters, orchestras, labels, educators, press, media, publishers and more.
Classical:NEXT consists of an interactive conference, project pitches, showcase concerts, expo, innovation award and networking.
By taking part in Classical:NEXT, you join over 1,000 professionals from more than 45 countries worldwide.
We help the global scene optimise what this art form is and can be, as well as how it is presented, disseminated and received. We believe in planting seeds for postive change: Change for audiences, for society and for the professional art music ecosystem. We strive to unite all professionals who identify with classical and art music, providing them with a place to meet and connect, do business, brainstorm, create and be inspired.
A unique music meeting, which is..
… a “user generated content” platform
… a community project
… for all sectors
… for all countries
… for institutions and individuals on every budget level
A Unique Music Meeting
Last edition: Classical:NEXT 2022 in Hannover
900
Professionals
550
Companies
121
Speakers
320
Artists
What?
Classical:NEXT is made up of four main components: Showcases, Conference, the Expo and networking.
In the Showcases, artists and productions are presented in a series of short concerts offering artistic directors, concert bookers, journalists and more a unique opportunity to gain an overview of artistic activity within a short space of time.
The Conference offers presentations, seminars, discussions, one-to-one and roundtable mentoring and other formats to help delegates tackle burning issues and to keep up with changes, trends and innovations around the world. Within the Conference, you will also find Project Pitches: targeted, fast-moving opportunities for creators and those on the lookout for new creations, a “seek-and-find” for collaboration and inspiration.
The Expo exhibits the work of labels, publishers, agents, festivals, associations and others, and offers a meeting point for all delegates and serves as the main networking hub. Developing partnerships and forging relationships lies at the heart of Classical:NEXT and the global networking runs through each activity of the event. It’s the prime opportunity to connect, learn and share with colleagues near and far.
New to Classical:NEXT? We highly recommend you read this great primer for c:N newbies written by Frank J. Oteri.
Oder ein Bericht aus deutscher Sicht gefällig? – Philipp Krechlak schreibt über die ‘Musikkonferenz mit Weltblick’.
Why?
“Classical:NEXT unites the global classical and art music community, creating a worldwide movement to explore potential paths forward into the future.”
– Classical:NEXT mission statement
Classical:NEXT enables art music professionals from all sectors to work better together. A unified classical and art music scene increases relevance and effectiveness in both business and creative aspects and positive change within the professional scene, as well as society as a whole.
How?
Over the course of four days, hundreds of delegates meet, discuss and learn about, as well as from, each other. In addition to being a networking event, Classical:NEXT has established itself as a key opportunity to promote and explore new talent, new creative ideas and future-oriented business practices.
95% of delegates would like to come again and would recommend Classical:NEXT to colleagues.
– Classical:NEXT Online Survey
Who?
Join now and connect with delegates from more than 700 companies.
Register
now!
Not much longer to go...
Shape the future of art music together with 1,000 professionals from 50 countries.
Facts & Figures
Since our first edition in 2012, more than 5,000 professionals from all sectors have engaged with Classical:NEXT, making it the largest international gathering for art music innovators. The ten years anniversary edition took place in Hannover, 17 – 20 May 2022.
C:N Net
Classical:NEXT is not just an annual meeting: it is a year-round worldwide movement for all sectors and all approaches in art music. Stay connected and network via our online community and directory C:N NET. Keep in touch with contacts old and new.
The Jury
Toks Dada
UK | Head of Classical Music at Southbank Centre
Toks Dada is a Classical Music Curator, serving as the Head of Classical Music at Southbank since December 2020, and a Fellow of the International Society for the Performing Arts.
Asbjørn Keiding
DENMARK | director of Danske Ensembler, Orkestre og Operainstitutioner (DEOO)
Asbjørn Keiding boasts more than 20 years of experience in managing cultural organizations nationally and internationally. His expertise spans audience development, digitalization of classical music, music education programmers and EU projects.
Ulrike Köstinger
AUSTRIA | chief executive officer at Arts Consolidated (Operabase, CueTV)
Ulrike Köstinger has a strong performing arts industry background. She studied International Business Administration at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, and Arts Management at the University of Zurich.
Jahangir Salimkhanov
AZERBAIJAN | cultural policy expert, arts manager, president of the administrative council of UNESCO IFPC
Jahangir Salimkhanov is an initiator, curator, facilitator, and promoter of projects in various cultural fields, including several multidisciplinary performance productions in the field of classical, traditional and contemporary music.
Katja Frei
GERMANY | director of education and outreach, Berliner Philharmoniker
Katja Frei has been the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Director of Education and Outreach since September 2020. She is responsible for expanding sustainable partnerships in educational, social, and digital fields, as well as developing music education programs for people of all ages in Germany and abroad.
Margaret S. Barrett
AUSTRALIA | professor and head, Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Monash University
Margaret is Head of the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance at Monash University. Prior to that she was Head of the School of Music at The University of Queensland (2008 – 2020). She has held positions as a Director of the Australian Music Centre, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and the Queensland Music Festival.
Jacob Greenberg
USA/GERMANY | artist, member of the International Contemporary Ensemble
Pianist and multi-keyboardist, Jacob Greenberg’s work as a soloist and chamber musician has received worldwide acclaim. He is a longtime member of the International Contemporary Ensemble, with whom he has performed throughout the Americas and Europe.
Matthew Lynch
UK | conductor
British/German conductor, Matthew Lynch, enjoys a busy international career. The 2022/23 season saw him make debuts with, among others, the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Hendrik Storme
BELGIUM | general and artistic director of ‘DE SINGEL’ International arts center in Antwerp
Hendrik Storme (1977) is a Belgian cultural manager originally from Ghent. Immediately after his studies in communication sciences and social work, he started his career in the Flemish classical music and cultural world. He gained his first work experience as a communications officer at the Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen and Muziekcentrum De Bijloke.
Hanako Yamaguchi
USA | independent artistic producer and arts consultant, board member of ISPA
Hanako Yamaguchi is an independent artistic producer and arts consultant whose recent work includes producing FRAGMENTS, a special project with cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and consulting for the Celebrity Series of Boston, WQXR (New York’s classical music radio station), the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and Little Island (NY).
– Tang Tee Khoon, Arts Presenter & Concert Violinist, Singapore
The Team
Our Classical:NEXT team of 2024
For showcase enquiries please contact showcase@classicalnext.com.
For conference enquiries please contact conference@classicalnext.com.
Andreas Richter
Board member,
Communications and Conference
Clemens Seeman
Board member,
Finances, Registration, Exhibitors
Karsten Witt
Board member,
Showcases
Luise Walther
Production,
Project Management
Nikolaus Rexroth
Board member,
Sponsorship and Fundraising
Raphael Reher
Project Pitches, Mentorings, Meet Ups, off C:N Presentations
Nadja von Massow
Head of Design
Yan Dribinsky
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