ECME Pre-conference Seminar perspective #2: More than just the exchange of knowledge

Since 2008, I have attended several ECME Pre-conference Seminars. In this contribution I reflect on what this world-wide gathering of music researchers and educators has meant for me in my work as a teacher, trainer and educator. I will dive into four subjects: (1) the small cultural differences in teaching music to the very young, (2) the ‘clash’ between formal and informal music education settings, (3) the attention to the home situation versus the music education setting and (4) the value of exchanging research and the best practice for non-English language countries to contribute. In this way we can continue to learn from each other, and not only in the field of music education itself, because music education is always interwoven with culture and perspectives on education.