Through thought-provoking presentations, panels, and sharing of ideas, the leaders of the Global Conservatoire explored ways to expand the pedagogical impact of this collective online learning environment for its music conservatory students.
School leaders, faculty, academic program officers, students, and technical staff took part in the two-day meeting.
Topics discussed included:
About the Global Conservatoire
The Global Conservatoire (GC) is a digital learning environment launched in 2020 that brings together faculty and students from the five partner institutions into asynchronous fully online studies, with courses taught by each of the five participating Conservatories, open to students from each institution:
The GC pushes the boundaries of conservatory teaching by leveraging new and innovative technology allowing, for example, students to perform together live from the various points of the globe. It also expands curriculum opportunities for students enrolled at each of the partnering institutions and, very importantly fosters global connections for students and faculty alike.
Since its inception, the GC course catalog offers students from the five conservatories a selection of 29 distinct courses delivered by more than 30 faculty. Nearly 625 students have enrolled in courses offered since the Spring 2021.
The two-day gathering was hosted by the Royal College of Music in London.
Global Conservatoire Sixth Transnational Meeting April 23 – 24, 2025 | Royal College of Music, London
Technical and pedagogical innovation towards fostering a dynamic, online learning community focused the conversations for the sixth transnational meeting of the Global Conservatoire in London on April 23 and 24, 2025.
The group shared thoughts and ideas about “Shattering Sound Barriers thru Innovation and Technology” and “Expanding the Conservatory Curriculum.”
Demonstrated at the meeting: A new performance simulator at RCM which students can use to generate the environment of major concert halls; It can be helpful to use ahead of high-stakes assessments such final performance exams, adjudicated recitals, or preparation for auditions with professional orchestras.
Improving career readiness and advanced learning: The Royal College of Music demonstrates its new performance simulator
Faculty and researchers from the Royal College of Music’s Performance Science area demonstrated their new performance simulator, a highly advanced space that gives students a virtual replica of one of dozens of concert halls, from replicating the audience to producing the same acoustics.
RCM students can utilize the simulated environment to transport them to the concert hall in advance of high-stakes assessments such as final performance exams, adjudicated recitals, to preparing for professional auditions for orchestras.
Researchers from the RCM’s Centre for Performance Science are also able to capture biometric and motion capture data to determine the physiological impact of performing within the simulator.
Building on this specialist research, the RCM has developed a range of complimentary workshops and course modules to support students as they address the psychological and physiological demands of preparing for high-pressure performance scenarios.
The meeting showcased real-time ensemble performances by students located in the UK, Europe, and the US.
Connecting performers globally in real time: Advances in recording technology
At the meeting, participants experienced a real-time performance by students in various parts of the globe connected by exceptionally high state-of-the-art recording technologies—the performers were physically situated as far apart as the USA, Denmark, Netherlands, Austria, and the UK, but the sound quality and timing by the transmitting technology was extraordinary, sounding as though the artists were performing live together in the same room.
The first performance featured a jazz improvisation session between six students and one faculty member (three students at MSM, one each at RDAM and CvA, and two in the UK).
The second performance demonstration—a duet by guitarists Haoqi Li (mdw) and Michele Reali (CvA)—stunned the GC participants with its seamless musicality, acoustic qualities, and resonance. For those of us watching and listening from London, we may as well have been in the same concert hall all together listening to this stellar performance.
Synchronistic performance: Technology linking guitarists Haoqi Li (mdw) and Michele Reali (CvA) in different locations transmitted seamless musicality and exceptionally high acoustic qualities of their live performance.
GC faculty present ideas for enhancing the online learning environment
Bringing the GC faculty together from each of the five partner institutions is one of the hallmarks of these annual meetings. Two sessions led by colleagues at RCM triggered discussion about how to enhance the online learning environment. Some ideas include:
Faculty at the meeting discussed methods for leveraging AI.
A discussion about AI used by students
The GC faculty also discussed the topic of “authentic assessment” in an online learning environment. Ensuring that the work submitted is attributable to the enrolled student means faculty may need to reimagine the use of traditional assignment formats such as papers, short essays, etc.
Faculty also discussed the value of AI and the challenge of AI in supporting students’ completion of the courses.
Faculty identified new or revised assessments that are specifically linked to build upon specific knowledge developed in the course. For example, assessments that:
These would allow students to ethically engage with AI-generated content yet submit authentic (self-authored) responses.
MSM Executive Vice President and Provost (center of photo) chaired a presentation with Global Conservatoire students
New Global Conservatoire Initiatives
The GC will turn five in spring 2026. This propels us to consider and launch new initiatives that build upon our existing technology and expand our curricular offerings within the GC.
Examples of how the GC will expand over the coming years include:
In fall 2025, Professor Søren Schauser is teaching a new course titled “Tradition with a Twist: A portrait of Carl Neilsen’s instrumental works.” Students registered for the course will participate in GC Live Lab sessions in early spring 2026 and finish with an in-person study project in Copenhagen. This project, which will bring GC students from all five partner schools to an in-person performance and learning experience, will be led by the Royal Danish Academy of Music.
These initiatives mark the next phase of pedagogical and collaborative experimentation with real-time, interactive formats. in combining asynchronous depth with synchronous engagement, the GC continues to advance collaborative research and curriculum development within conservatory educational environments.
Family photo: Global Conservatoire meeting participants on the steps of the Royal College of Music, London.
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