About the project

Composing Change. Orchestral Impact in European Societies is a three-year project (2025 - 2028) aiming to reposition orchestras in contemporary Europe as cultural organisations, highlighting their relevance in areas such as skills development, cultural diplomacy, European values, and regional policy.

 

The Project is led by the University for Continuing Education Krems in collaboration with the European Union Youth Orchestra, funded by the Department of Science and Reseach of Lower Austria. 

Broadly speaking, Composing Change is concerned with the relevance of classical music in society. Working closely with the European Union Youth Orchestra, we explore the the role and impact of orchestras as significant European cultural organisations.
 

 

Chanda VanderHart, PhD MA

Project Leader, University for Continuing Education Krems

Our mission is to nurture the artistic and professional skills of Europe's brightest young musicians. This project will strengthen our Music Hub Austria programme in Grafenegg, as well as our ability and competence to address the evolving challenges of our time with creativity and purpose.

 

Marshall Marcus
Executive & Artistic Director of the EUYO

Literature Reviews

During the intitial project phase six literature reviews were created/commissioned to understand the current state of research pertaining to the six areas of focus (four major strands & two areas of interest) within Composing Change: 

 

  1. Artistic & Skills Development

  2. Cultural Diplomacy

  3. European Calues

  4. Regional Cultural Policy

  5. Gender & Intersectionality

  6. Mental Health

News & Events

25 / 07 / 2026

EUYO Orchestra Focus Group

at Schloss Grafenegg, Lower Austria

 

 

26 / 03 / 2026
Music and cultural diplomacy discussed at Vienna symposium at Diplomatische Akademie

15 / 11 / 2025

HORCH! symposium in Salzburg, discussing the future of children's and youth orchestras

02 / 08 / 2025

Project Presentation and summer concert of EUYO at Schloss Grafenegg, Lower Austria

 

Meet the Team

Composing Change is a collaborative research project under the scientific leadership of University for Continuing Education Krems in collaboration with the European Union Youth Orchestra.