ELNA's recent trip to Copenhagen proved highly productive, offering valuable insights and strengthening connections within the Nordic art music scene. The visit laid the groundwork for exciting future collaborations. As an exhibitor at the Nordic Church Music Symposium (NKS), ELNA engaged with both publishers and organists. While initial interest from organists was moderate, the event provided a valuable platform to raise awareness and solidify ELNA's presence in this space. Moving forward, greater involvement from organists will be prioritized as the focus shifts towards the discovery of lesser-known music.
Positive relationships continue to grow with key partners, such as the Danish Composers' Society. Discussions during the trip also included early planning for ELNA's role in the 2025 Nordic Music Days, which promises exciting opportunities for regional collaboration. Additionally, a meeting with Alex Julin from Art Music Denmark provided crucial insights into Denmark’s cultural support landscape, offering potential pathways for securing future funding.
The opening concert of the Nordic Church Music Festival (NKS) showcased the immense influence of the church music community, highlighting the importance of involving the Church of Sweden in future ELNA projects – particularly in the search for historical music.
The visit also featured engaging panel discussions facilitated by Art Music Denmark and Musikcentrum i Syd on musical mobility within the Öresund region. Participants examined challenges related to cross-border exchange, especially in relation to gender equality in music and the movement of works between northern and southern regions. A promising initiative that emerged from these discussions was the development of a comprehensive list of recommendations of contemporary female composers within the art music world, complementing our upcoming recommendation lists. Continued collaboration with Konstmusiksystrar will be key to bringing this initiative to fruition.