The Listening Wall presented by Classical Unlocked brings attendees together to create a living installation centred on women* and gender-diverse voices in music.

This regional meet-up is conceived as an open space for professionals from Eastern Europe and the Balkan region to connect, exchange perspectives, and discuss current developments emerging in our cultural and musical landscapes. It offers an opportunity to strengthen regional dialogue, share experiences, and explore both common challenges and recent successes within our field.

This session brings together curious global voices across music education to explore inclusion and belonging.

Managing an orchestra is a challenging job. It’s fun if things are going well. It can turn into a nightmare if the pressure becomes too extreme. In this moderated meeting without mikes, photos or videos, you can talk freely about your management challenges, problems, lessons, and solutions. Where in your career would you have needed more training or specialised advice to solve a problem? Do you have recommendations for colleagues? What would be the first changes you would make if you could?

Emerging artists and ensembles in Early Music confront a daunting reality: how to build financially viable careers while also addressing social sustainability and environmental responsibility. How can we ensure that the next generation of Early Music performers not only survives, but thrives? What support do they need to secure sustainable, meaningful careers?

Not everyone who works in music works for large organisations. Many of us have to wear multiple hats to get our work heard and produce the projects we want to create. From fundraising, marketing, booking, recording, releasing and so much more, we have to do it all ourselves. It has always been difficult. But often someone else has been through the same thing as you and is willing to share their experience.

Country Connections is an annual networking event that brings together delegates from around the world for quick-fire meetings. These meetings will facilitate introductions and broker business connections with practitioners and companies from around the globe.

IAMIC (International Association of Music Centres) is an international network of organisations that collectively and collaboratively provide information and promote the music of our countries and regions.
This meet-up provides opportunities to exchange information and insights among members, as well as to connect with the broader global music world to discuss shared opportunities and challenges.

In an era where internationalisation is often justified by financial opportunity, this panel invites classical music professionals to look deeper.

What added value – social, cultural, political – emerges when artists, presenters, and institutions work across borders? How does international activity foster empathy, mutual understanding, artistic renewal, and even cultural diplomacy?

This session is designed as a closed-door exchange between promoters, offering a space for candid discussion about programming risks — the bets that paid off, the ones that didn’t, and the gray areas in between.

The European Festivals Association invites festival makers to engage in a conversation about artistic programming, audiences, and international collaboration. Share ideas and challenge perspectives on how to support emerging artists, attract and engage new audiences, and develop cross-border partnerships.

Experts from across the Asia-Pacific will share first‑hand insights into one of the world’s most dynamic musical landscapes, accounting for more than half the world’s population.

Panellists will reflect on their own experiences in the geographically vast region, and talk about the challenges and opportunities for artists looking to engage with its markets.

The session – which all Classical:NEXT attendees are welcome to join – will conclude with a Q&A and a meet-up of Asia-Pacific delegates.

In an era marked by economic volatility, shifting geopolitical landscapes, and ever-increasing isolationism, the ability to work internationally has become increasingly complex for organizations, independent producers, and artists.