Applications open for the "Socially Engaged Musicking" Blended Intensive Programme: empowering IN.TUNE students to create music with social impact

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How can music create connection, inclusion and social impact? The new “Socially Engaged Musicking” Blended Intensive Programme invites IN.TUNE students to explore artistic practice as a force for community engagement. With online collaboration, an intensive week in Vienna and international mentoring, participants will develop new ideas beyond traditional concert settings. Students will gain practical experience, create their own socially engaged projects and earn 4 ECTS credits. Applications are now open for Bachelor final-year and Master students from IN.TUNE partner universities.

Socially Engaged Musicking

A program at the intersection of music and society with an in-person week in Vienna

The BIP Socially Engaged Musicking invites you to connect your artistic practice with social responsibility and to explore music-making as a relational and community-oriented process. You will explore collaborative and participatory approaches and develop context-sensitive formats of presentation beyond traditional concert settings.

The BIP is divided into three phases: an online preparation phase including a digital improvisation session; an in-person week in Vienna featuring input sessions, artistic practice, reflection, and concerts; and an online mentoring phase in which you develop a specific socially engaged music project together with international peers and mentors, which you can later offer to or realize with partners (festivals, social institutions, etc.).

Why participate?

  • Reflect critically on the social role, responsibilities, and positioning of musicians today
  • Explore new artistic formats beyond traditional concert settings
  • Develop your own socially engaged artistic project
  • Collaborate with international peers and experienced mentors
  • Experience an intensive creative week in Vienna
  • Earn 4 ECTS Credits

Artistic Focus

  • Concert design, improvisation, artistic communication, and presentation
  • Participatory and inclusive performance practices
  • Collaboration across cultures and disciplines
  • Reflection on inclusion, diversity, and artistic responsibility

Who can apply?

Bachelor students in their final year, Master or Doctoral students from all IN.TUNE partner universities: instrumentalists (including non-Western instruments and electronics) and singers. 

Program Format & Dates

  • October 12–30, 2026: Online preparation

    In the first phase of the BIP, you will receive information about the program, get to know the participants and teachers, and take part in two online improvisation sessions (one active and one passive).

    October 13, 6:00-8:30 PM CET | Welcome & exchange of information

    October 20, 4:00-5:30 / 6:00-07:30 PM CET | Online Improvisation Session I & II (hosted by mdw)

    October 27, 6:00-07:30 PM CET |Online Improvisation Session III (hosted by ESMUC)

  • November 2–7, 2026: Intensive on-site week in Vienna (mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna)

    The intensive week is built around four central pillars: input, reflection, practice, and engagement. You will reflect on your position as a musician in society, participate in workshops on stage presence and moderation, concert dramaturgy, and new concert formats, visit a masterclass and a concert by the Erlkings, and develop and realize living room concerts as well as a final performance intervention in public space. Moreover, there will be plenty of time to socialize with your peers!

    November 2 (9:00 AM CET) to November 7 (approx. 4:00 PM CET) | Travel days: November 1 (arrival) and November 7 (after 7:00 PM CET) or  November 8 (farewell)

  • November 2026 – January 2027: Online mentoring phase

    During the online mentoring phase, you will develop your own socially engaged project together with peers and under the guidance of experienced mentors from the IN.TUNE partner universities.

    November 17, 6:00-07:30 PM CET | Mentoring session I

    December 1, 6:00-07:30 PM CET | Mentoring session II

    December 15, 6:00-07:30 PM CET | Mentoring session III

    January 12, 6:00-8:00 PM CET | Final Presentation

Financial Support

  • Daily subsistence support of 79 € during the Vienna week
  • Travel expenses support according to EU guidelines
  • Participants with fewer opportunities can apply for a one time top-up of €100

Application and Requirements

EXTENDED Application Deadline: May 31, 2026 | 12:00 PM

Motivation video in English (max. 2 min): Tell us why you would like to participate. Be creative and think out of the box!

Artistic video (max. 3 min): Show us your artistic skills! We are welcoming singers and musicians with a broad variety of instruments from classical, popular, or global musics. A professional recording is not required.

Please submit both videos as links (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo or similar platforms) to pilz-s@mdw.ac.at and indicate your home-institution. No file upload is required.

Members of the IN.TUNE working group from the partner universities will make the final selection. The selection decision is final and cannot be appealed.

Contact: petri-preis@mdw.ac.at

Photo credit: Stephan Polzer / mdw