Aims:

The aims of the project is to provide vocational education students and teachers/staff two weeks exchange periods, that develop professional study- and working motivation also giving experience from international cooperation and creating networks. The orchestral rehearsal periods and concerts in both countries are on-the-job-learning based.  The students will be getting feedbacks and gaining credits from each exchange periods. The teachers will learn to know various curriculums and educational customs thus getting experience and new ideas to further develop their own professional skills. Besides educational program there will also be chance to learn from local culture and get used to perspective of sustainable development, that will meet the goals of study plans.

Partners:

The partners in this EcoSound –project are San Javier Conservatory from Spain and Central Ostrobothnia Conservatory (Keski-Pohjanmaan konservatorio) from Finland and the students, teachers and staff of both conservatories vocational education.

San Javier information here > (pdf)

Activities:

During two years activity there will be two mobilities from Finland to Spain and three from Spain to Finland. From Kokkola to San Javier, according to plannings, there will be 15 vocational students, one teacher and two supporting persons in both mobilities. From San Javier to Kokkola, in one of the  mobilities there will be 22 students and two teachers.  The other two mobilities consist of two teachers. There will be a joint sinfonietta-type orchestra plus smaller ensembles formed during the student´s on-the-job-learning periods. The day to day program will consist of open lessons, individual instrumental tuition and practising, orchestral rehearsals, concerts and other program. The educational part and lessons will meet the needs of vocational professional education. The visiting teachers will be working whole of the two week period in cooperational conservatory actually participating in project. Also the supporting members carry the responsibility of participating in practical arrangements and the program itself.

Working methods:

The working consisting of open lessons and instrumental tuition/practising takes place in joint orchestra, smaller chamber music groups/ensembles/bands and individually. The planned program, including music from both countries, will be rehearsed already in advance in home institution. At the end of the student mobilities there will be official, public concerts, that will ber marketed and recorded. The students will make a self-evaluation of the projects and they will be given the ECVET-credits. The teachers will naturally participate in both teaching and assessing.

Results and impact:

At the end of each mobility the students have gained more professional skills and they have been benefitted the ECVET-credits to the degree program from their international mobility. They have experience from international activities and they have developed their skills, possible even to orientate abroad in their future carrier. The staff members have learned vice versa from spanish and finnish music education, culture and local music and through this experience they have got new ideas and perspective to their work. The participants have created new international contacts and developed their language skills. The mobilities and concerts have also formed a good basis to further intensify the cultural activities and exchanges of the Ostrobothnia and Murcia areas. The principles of sustainability have been issued with international perspective and importance. The institutions have got new ideas to renew and up-to-date the curriculums. The students and the staff are more motivated in creating institutional studying affairs both locally and internationally.