From September 17 to 19, 2025, the Annual Meeting for International Relations Coordinators of the European Association of Conservatories (AEC) took place in Budapest (HU), hosted at the prestigious Liszt Academy of Music. This yearly gathering brought together representatives from conservatories across Europe to exchange best practices, strengthen international collaboration, and foster new opportunities for students and institutions within the Erasmus+ framework.

As a cultural highlight of the meeting, the Erasmus Orchestra presented a special concert, open to the public, on the evening of September 19 (7.30 PM) at the Liszt Academy of Music auditorium. The performance was a festive occasion that celebrated the values of cultural exchange, collaboration, and peace which are at the heart of the Erasmus+ programme.

The Orchestra consisted of more than 50 talented young musicians, selected from conservatories across Erasmus+ countries, who joined forces with students from the Liszt Academy. Some musicians had the opportunity to actively participate in the AEC meeting, sharing their testimonies and experiences of Erasmus mobility both during the meeting and before the concert as “European Union Ambassadors”. This unique ensemble embodied the spirit of European cooperation, showcasing how music can transcend borders and create meaningful connections among people from different backgrounds.

Beyond its artistic value, the event represented a symbolic moment in which music became a language of unity, reinforcing the role of conservatories and higher music education institutions as bridges between cultures.

The concert was conducted by Maestro Elio Orciuolo, from the Conservatoire of Monopoli “Nino Rota,” who guided the musicians through a rich and inspiring programme that reflected both the dynamism of the young performers and the diversity of European musical traditions. 

Prior to the concert, students and EO musicians Anna Habruk (Ukraine), Mateusz Woch (Poland) and Sara Harutyunyan (Armenia) took the floor to tell the audience how the Erasmus+ programme had changed their lives.

For more info on the event CLICK HERE