ImMusic at Classical:NEXT

This May, we brought ImMusic to Classical:NEXT in Berlin – a global meeting point for musicians, educators, and cultural changemakers. Representing Divisart, Edit Palinkas joined hundreds of delegates to explore the evolving role of classical music in society, and to share how music, especially in non-formal settings, can become a bridge between cultures, generations, and disciplines.

The three days were still rich with small group conversations, one-on-one exchanges, and spontaneous dialogues that made a lasting impact. These moments – alongside a focused, small-scale international session with partners from Finland and Canada – formed the foundation of a meaningful and energizing experience.

Music beyond the stage

ImMusic isn’t about performance. It’s about what happens before and beyond the stage, when young people explore identity, rhythm, creativity, and connection through music. It offers youth workers and educators a toolkit of games, clapping exercises, folk song arrangements, and creative prompts, all built to make music accessible, social, and fun for teens and young adults up to age 30.

These tools were met with curiosity and enthusiasm throughout the event. Educators from across Europe, Asia, and North America expressed a shared need for flexible, adaptable materials – especially those that support intercultural dialogue, community building, and emotional development. And that’s exactly where ImMusic lives.

Conversations that count

Across panels, hallway chats, and late-night talks, one message echoed again and again:
Music matters, but we need to keep proving it.

• Music is being deprioritized in education systems globally.
• There’s a lack of tools to support students with special educational needs.
• The gap between music and other school subjects remains wide.
• Non-formal education is undervalued – yet it’s often where the deepest impact happens.
• Policymakers and parents don’t always see how music shapes empathy, confidence, and connection.

These concerns resonated deeply with the core values of ImMusic, which was originally developed to support youth in developing interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, and emotional literacy through music-based play.

Building forward, together

It wasn’t one big moment that defined the experience – it was the collection of smaller ones: shared ideas, questions over coffee, nods of recognition when someone described a workshop challenge or a student’s breakthrough. Those conversations reinforced something we already believed: ImMusic belongs in international dialogue.

As we move forward with expanding the toolkit and connecting with new communities, we carry this energy with us into workshops, training sessions, and future collaborations.

And with Classical:NEXT 2026 heading to Budapest, we’re already planning. We’ll be there with new partners, new stories, and an even stronger belief that music-based learning has a vital place in youth development.

Because sometimes the most powerful changes begin in the smallest conversations.