Established chamber ensembles are very welcome to apply for the unique joint masters’ programme ECMAster!

The programme ECMAster is developed and implemented by seven European higher education institutions in the Hague, Fiesole, Manchester, Oslo, Paris, Vienna, Vilnius. Registration is now open, deadline for applications is February 22 of 2021. Entrance exam will take place on March 12 via zoom.

More information about ECMAster and entry requirements: https://lmta.lt/en/english-lmta-welcomes-foreign-students/english-joint-programme-ecmaster/ 

2021 02 03 

Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre invites young chamber ensembles to study the joint programme European Chamber Music Master – ECMAster. As an EMCAster student, you receive advanced training in chamber music performance, study with inspiring professors at leading institutions in different European countries, and refine your musical presentation, communication and technical skills as an ensemble musician.

Application is open, entrance exams in Vilnius – on March 16th of 2020. More information you can find HERE. 

Application deadline – February 15th: APPLICATION FORM. 

Who is eligible? 
The programme is open to established ensembles with a standard instrument combination (with a minimum of three ensemble members): 
– String quartets 
– Piano trios 
– String trios 
– Piano quartets 
– Wind quintets 
– Brass quintets 
– Saxophone quartets 
– Other ensembles (see the General programme description for more information)

Eligibility requirements: 
– Member of an established ensemble 
– All Ensemble Members must apply at the same institution

Joint admission criteria 
All applicants must possess the skills and experience listed below at a level sufficient for them to meet the requirements of this programme of study both individually and as an ensemble.

Applicants must: 
– demonstrate advanced instrumental and musical abilities 
– possess the relevant skills and experience in chamber music 
– and prove their ability to independently make and reflect upon their own artistic decisions.

Application procedure 
Submit application to the chosen institution containing a CV, a description of the ensemble’s activities and a master project proposal. Please observe carefully possible additional requirements by the institution!

Audition 
– A prepared ensemble program of 60 minutes of at least three contrasting works or movements in different styles relevant for the ensemble type 
– An interview 

Chair of Admission Jury – professor Patrik Jüdt, Bern University of Arts, Switzerland.

Contact persons ECMAster in Vilnius: 
– Indrė Baikštytė, indre.baikstyte@lmta.lt, +370 651 29059 
– Rima Rimšaitė, rima.rimsaite@lmta.lt, +370 699 54765 

2020 01 17 

On the 1st of November, the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) will hold a concert at the National Conservatory of Paris, where the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre Helio String Quartet will present a programme of Lithuanian chamber music.

From 29th of October to 2nd of November the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) session takes place at the Conservatoire National de Paris. The five-day masterclasses will culminate in concerts on 1st and 2nd of November, featuring chamber music works prepared by the ensembles that have developed their skills during the ECMA session. The ECMA organisers encouraged the ensembles to perform works by Lithuanian composers. Lithuania is represented in the ECMA session by the Helio String Quartet and teachers Prof. Dr. Indrė Baikštytė and Prof. Dr. Lina Navickaitė-Martinelli.

On the 29th of October, musicologist Prof. Dr. Lina Navickaitė-Martinelli will give an open lecture “Defining Identity: A Quest of ‘Lithuanianness’ in Music as Performance” at the Conservatory. On 1st of November at 7 pm. Helio String Quartet instrumentalists Saulė Buišaitė (violin), Monika Dargytė (violin), Rūta Buišaitė (viola) and Vaiva Sodaitytė (cello) will present a programme of Lithuanian chamber music. Eduardas Balsys’ String Quartet Part III and Anatoly Shenderov’s String Quartet No. 3 will be performed. Prof. Dr. Indrė Baikštytė, a long-time promoter of chamber music and organiser of ECMA sessions in Lithuania, together with the world’s best chamber music specialists, will conduct ECMA masterclasses.

“We feel honoured to be members of this prestigious organisation for more than 10 years. Lithuania is the only Baltic country to be a member of this organisation,” says Prof. Dr. Indrė Baikštytė, Chair of Chamber Ensemble at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre

The European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) is an international network of eight of the most prominent European music academies, initiated in 2006 by the eminent chamber music professors and promoters of the genre Hatto Bayerle (viola, Germany) and Johannes Meissl (violin, Austria).

ECMA is Europe’s young talent authority. It focuses on established chamber ensembles such as string quartets, piano trios and others. To promote the development of the chamber music tradition, ECMA supports the best young and energetic ensembles, organises training for the most talented performers in its partner institutions, and ensures that the performers’ concert careers continue.

ECMA sessions were attended by the student string quartet “Festivo” from LMTA, the doctoral student trio “Claviola”, the graduate of the Academy, the ECMA postgraduate string quartet “Mettis”, and the prize-winning piano trio “FortVio”

More information about the events: https://www.conservatoiredeparis.fr/fr/saison-20242025/academie-europeenne-de-musique-de-chambre

The LMTA project at the Paris Conservatoire is part of the LMTA’s interdisciplinary programme “L’Ecole imaginaire-Lingua-Franca”.

“L‘Ecole imaginaire-Lingua-Franca” is part of the Season of Lithuania in France 2024. The Season is organized by the Lithuanian culture Institute and the French Institute in Paris.

2024 10 30

Europe’s most talented young chamber ensembles will be in Vilnius for the whole week of St John’s Day to hone their performance skills. The European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) session will conclude with the launch of the digital platform for performers’ career skills and two chamber ensemble concerts at the Museum of Energy and Technology and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.

“This is the eighth edition of the European Chamber Music Academy masterclasses, lectures, workshops and concerts organised by the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. We feel honoured to be members of this prestigious organisation for more than 10 years. Lithuania is the only Baltic country that belongs to this organisation. Our sessions always attract a lot of attention from foreign professors and ensembles and are highly appreciated”, says Prof. Dr. Indrė Baikštytė. 

This ECMA session will focus on career planning for chamber music ensemble performers and on developing skills in new performance forms. The practical lectures will be given by chamber music luminaries: the ECMA’s Artistic Director, violinist Prof. Johannes Meissl, Vice-Rector of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, pianist Prof. Avedis Kouyoumdjian, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, and violist Prof. Patrick Jüdt, University of the Arts Berne. Curator and consultant Andreas Vierziger, who has worked with brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Netflix and Sony Pictures, and Inga Uus, a coach, start-up mentor, strategic management and marketing consultant, will also share their experience.

The eighth ECMA Session is special because it will launch the ECMA Digital Knowledge Platform, a new digital tool to help young chamber music ensembles develop. On this platform, chamber music ensemble performers will find a wealth of useful information, lessons, lectures and presentations on chamber music performance, teaching and career opportunities. The new digital tool will be launched at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, from where it will be broadcast to many European music schools. Two piano trios participating in the ECMA session, Ensemble Ramé and Trio Susato, will play during the event.

The ECMA session brings together 6 ensembles from 5 European music schools: the Susato Trio, the Trio Sheliak, Ensemble Ramé, the Cuore Piano Trio, the Coda Quartet and the Helio String Quartet. It is truly impressive that these ensembles include musicians from as many

as 10 different countries – Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, USA, Philippines, Ukraine, Norway, China and Lithuania. Our country is represented this year by the young and promising Helio String Quartet. All these chamber ensembles participating in the ECMA Session will be heard in two concerts open to the public on 27 June at 7 pm. 27 June at the Museum of Energy and Technology and 29 June at 7 pm. The Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Great Hall.

“In these concerts, which will take place in a special setting, we will hear refined interpretations of piano trios and string quartets. The programme includes time-honoured masterpieces of chamber music, as well as new works from the second half of the 20th century. This only confirms the great power of chamber music to bring the world and its people closer together,” says I. Baikštytė. 

ECMA, or the European Chamber Music Academy, is an international network of European music academies whose mission is to nurture young talent by focusing on established chamber music ensembles such as string quartets, piano trios and others. In order to promote the chamber music tradition and the best young and driven ensembles, the ECMA organises training for top-class performers and provides opportunities for them to present themselves to the general public through concerts.
ECMA graduates and world-renowned ensembles such as the Boulanger Trio, Quartetto di Cremona, Minetti Quartet, Quatuor Zaïde, Trio Gaspard, Trio Bohémo, and many others have gone on to successful careers. Two Lithuanian ensembles – the FortVio Piano Trio (2012-2014) and the Mettis String Quartet (2014-2016) – have become laureates of renowned international competitions thanks to ECMA training, and have given numerous concerts abroad, featuring not only world classical and contemporary music, but also Lithuanian chamber music repertoire.

On 22-27 June, the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre is hosting a session of the European of Chamber Music Academy (ECMA). The event has brought together chamber ensembles from seven European countries.  Although the ensembles are at the very outset of their professional career, they have already gained recognition. During the ECMA session, the musicians are going to hone their skills with acclaimed masters of classical music and give concerts in the LMTA Great Hall, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, and perform for socially excluded communities.

Performances for the latter audience are part of the educational method Musethica, developed worldwide.  One of its founders, acknowledged Israeli-German viola player Prof. Avri Levitan is coming to Vilnius to present the Musethica method. Musethica sets not only artistic but also social goals.  Musethica’s motto – Learning by Doing – is put into action by holding concerts where young musicians perform together with recognised professionals. In addition, 85 per cent of the concerts are performed for socially excluded communities. The participants of the Vilnius session will perform at the Blessed Father Mykolas Sopočka Hospice, Valakampiai Social Care Home, All Saints’ Family Support Centre, Pravieniškės House of Correction, Day Center “Šviesa”, and other venues.

The European chamber music session unites two international educational platforms – ECMA and Musethica – and is an exceptional event in the realm of the Lithuanian chamber music.  The session is of particular importance for ensembles who are just starting their careers. Several Lithuanian ensembles that are well-known today – piano trio FortVio, string quartet Mettis, trio Claviola, and others – have received ECMA training.

In Vilnius, the young talents – ensembles from Lithuania, Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark –  will practise under the tutelage of distinguished Austrian violinist, professor, and Vice-Rector Johannes Meissl and professor and pianist Avedis Kouyoumdjian (both representing the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts), as well as Imke Frank, a cello professor from Germany, and cellist Povilas Jacunskas, an associated professor at the LMTA (who himself was a ECMA session participant 10 years ago). 

The ECMA participants are going to attend performance-focused theory lectures by Professor Nancy J. Uscher of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (USA) (Designing Global Careers for Artists: Inventing Creative and Innovative Opportunities for the 21^st Century), Professor Dario Martinelli of Kaunas University of Technology (The “Chamberization” of Popular Music: From “Yesterday” to Today), and LMTA Professor Lina Navickaitė-Martinelli (Performers’ Gesturality in Sound, Expression, and Communication) (The full programme is available here).

The outcomes of the European chamber music session will be presented to the audience at two free concerts: in the LMTA Great Hall (June 25) and at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (June 27).  The concerts start at 6 PM, the admission is free. The programme includes masterpieces of European chamber music. The performance in the LMTA Great Hall on June 25 features the Andersson Duo (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre), Heathcliff Trio (the Royal Danish Academy of Music), Piano Quintet Profugo Ensemble (Royal Conservatory of The Hague), and Trio Alces (Norwegian Academy of Music). The audience will enjoy works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvořák, and Maurice Ravel.

The performance on June 27 at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania will feature Rubik Quartet (Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts) with Avri Levitan (viola, Israel-Germany), Trio Chimera (University of the Arts Bern), Duo Cinqordes (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre) with Povilas Jacunskas (cello), and Trio Bohémo (the Czech Republic). The ensembles will perform chamber music by Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, Zoltán Kodály, George Gershwin, Joseph Haydn, and Ferenz Liszt.

LMTA information 
15 June 2022

ECMA-MUSETCHICA session is a part of the project „ECMA Pro“ partly funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission.

The new Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027 is given to the Lithuniana Academy of Music and Theatre. The number of the charter: 64152-EPP-1-2014-1-LT-EPPKA3-ECHE. 

European Policy Statement of LMTA

2021 01 13

Does the announcement of quarantine mean that our life has stopped? Well, we would like to paraphrase the familiar saying and announce that we are opening a virtual window when the doors of theatres and concert halls are closed.  The Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre is now ready to share the precious archive of their best performances.  Instead of the usual monthly repertoire of live events, LMTA invites to enjoy recordings of the most compelling concerts, contests, stage performances, meetings, short films, and even watch two sets of live electronic music!

From April 3 to 30, 6 pm, TV.LMTA.LT, the Internet platform, specifically designed for that purpose, will broadcast a variety of events. IMPORTANT: the recordings of the events will only be available on the specified date and time! Don’t miss a chance to watch the event you are interested in.

The range of the genres to be offered is truly extensive: from opera, drama, dance, and film to chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz concerts to contests, recitals, conversations, and discussions. 

LMTA Vice-Rector for Art, Prof. Dr. Ramunė Marcinkevičiūtė says: “Working on the virtual repertoire under such circumstances has been a chance to analyse the archived collection, reappreciate the recorded beauty and value of our cultural experience, and feel the strength of artistic expression the LMTA community shares.  While the quality of some recordings may not be perfect (as the events were filmed for other purposes), it is the uniqueness of the content that makes it worth seeing.   The LMTA Art Centre team is already preparing the repertoire for May, so even when the quarantine regulations become more lenient, we will still continue broadcasting.”

Тhe Virtual Programme starts оn 3 April, 6 pm, with The Most Excellent and Lamentable Plan B, a music, theatre and video performance based on Herluf Bidstrup’s caricatures, directed by Vidas Bareikis.  Composer: Rūta Vitkauskaitė, set designer:  Simona Biekšaitė, costume designer: Liuka Songailaitė, conductor: Ričardas Šumila. The première was performed on the stage of the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre in 2013 to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (the recording was made a year later). The performance features the-then Year 2 students who are now prominent actors at Oskaras Koršunovas’ OKT Theatre and the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre: Kęstutis Cicėnas, Jonas Braškys, Laurynas Jurgelis, Gediminas Rimeika, Eimantas Pakalka, Martynas Ališauskas, Viktorija Žukauskaitė, Taura Kvietinskaitė, Greta Petrovskytė, Paulina Taujanskaitė, Kamilė Petruškevičiūtė, Gailė Butvilaitė, and others. 

On 4 April, spectators are invited to a concert by European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) which took place on 2 October 2019 in the Trakai Castle. Mettis String Quartet (Lithuania), Erlendis Guitar Quartet (Poland, Denmark), and Malion String Quartet (Germany, Finland) will perform music by J. Haydn, J.S. Bach, L. E.J. Brouwer, L. Boccherini, E. Lecuona, and B. Bartók. 

5 April gives us a chance to revisit a conversation between pianist Petras Geniušas and philosopher Leonidas Donskis that took place in 2013 in the LMTA Great Hall within a cycle of recitals Masters in the Great Hall featuring laureates of Lithuanian National Culture and Art Awards.  Petras Geniušas performs piano sonatas by F. Schubert and S Prokofiev.

On 7 April, we can watch a performance The Lesson directed by Augustas Gornatkevičius, based on the play by E. Ionesco.  Set designer: Eglė Vitkutė, costume designer: Simona Davlidovičiūtė, composer: Jokūbas Tulaba. Actors: Kamilė Galkutė, Gabrielė Ladygaitė, Petras Šimonis. Created in 2016, the performance was filmed at LMTA Balcony Theatre in 2017.

On 9 April, we invite you to join the LMTA community in the Academy’s Great Hall and enjoy the meeting with opera soloist Asmik Grigorian. Organised on the morning of 7 September 2018, the very beginning of the academic year, the conversation took place upon the opera singer’s return to Lithuania from the Salzburg Festival where Asmik Grigorian gave a sensational performance as Salome in Romeo Castellucci’s legendary production of Strauss’s opera. Musicologist Jūratė Katinaitė hosts the conversation.

11 April invites fans of choral music to their computer screens. We will broadcast the Grand Final of 3^rd Juozas Naujalis Competition for Choral Conductors (filmed on 27 October 2017 in Church of St Catherine). The choirs — LMTA mixed choir, State Choir Vilnius, Vilnius City Municipal Choir Jauna Muzika — are led by the finalists of the competition Krista Audere (Latvia, Netherlands), Jurģis Cābulis (Latvia), Linas Balandis (Lithuania), Łukasz Hermanovicz (Poland), Mantvydas Drūlia (Lithuania), Gintarė Barisaitė (Lithuania). Works by J. Naujalis, J. H. Schein, A. Bruckner, Orlando di Lasso, and other composers will be performed.

On 13 April, we will host a discussion Do Artists Need Managers? filmed at the LMTA Balcony Theatre in 2018.  The discussion features Vygintas Gasparavičius, a lecturer at LMTA Art Management Department; a performing art manager Giedrė Putramentaitė; and Julijus Grickevičius, the-then Marketing Manager at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.  The event is moderated by Dominyka Murauskytė, a LMTA musicology student. 

On 15 April, let us remember the 5^th International Jascha Heifetz Competition for Violinists in 2017 and enjoy the performance of the LMTA students participating in the competition — Rakelė Chijenaitė, Ieva Daugirdaitė, Konrad Levicki, Bernardas Petrauskas playing pieces by J. S. Bach, N. Paganini, M. Ravel, A. Khachaturian, F. Waxman, and Z. Bružaitė.

April 17 offers a series of short films created by LMTA students: 0.242 of Fiction (directed by Modestas Endriuška, 2018), Place With No Walls (directed by Elizabete Mežule-Gricmane, 2017), 10 Square Metres (directed by Mindaugas Docaitis, 2017), A. A. A. (directed by Karolina Nadzeikaitė, 2019), Dad’s Gift (directed by Petras Kuneika, 2019), and So … Bye (directed by Paulius Stankevičius, 2018).

On 19 April, we are invited to enjoy Giuseppe Verdi’s Falstaff.  Created by the LMTA Opera Studio team and performed on the stage of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall on 11 April 2018, the rendering happens to be the first performance of Falstaff in Lithuania. Conductor: Martynas Staškus, director and choreographer: Jūratė Sodytė, designers: Guoda Korsakaitė, Marina Jasinskaja, lighting designer: Giedrius Gurevičius. Soloists: Ignas Melnikas, Arminas Skirvainis, Gabrielė Kupšytė, Lubov Skrebets, Aurelija Stasiulytė, Anastasia Lebedyantseva, Juozas Janužas, Edgaras Davidovičius, Dainius Viešūnas, Paulius Prasauskas, Gediminas Paulauskas. The opera features LMTA Symphony Orchestra and LMTA Mixed Choir.

On 21 April, we will stream Justė Janulytė’s lectures The Kinetics of Sound.  Spatial Aspects of Composition prepared and delivered by the composer a year earlier in the LMTA Spatial Sound Sphere. The lectures were recorded as a part of the KISS (Studio of Creative and Informative Meetings) project run by LMTA.

On 23 and 27 April, spectators are invited to concerts of live electronic music. On 23 April, you can enjoy Particles, a work by Mantvydas Leonas Pranulis, an LMTA Year 2 Digital Technologies student, a laureate of the first M. K. Čiurlionis Incentive Grant. On 27 April, we will be streaming Roberto Becerra and Mantautas Krukauskas’ work, Art Distancing. 

On 25 April, LMTA Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Modestas Pitrėnas invites you to the LMTA Great Hall.  You will hear C. Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Z. Kodály’s Dances of Galánta, Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, and The Firebird Suite by I. Stravinsky. Soloists: Konrad Levicki (violin), Marija Pranskutė (violin), Kristina Anusevičiūtė (viola), Tarmo Hiis (cello). Concert announcer: Justė Jankauskaitė. The concert was recorded in 2017.

Events dedicated to the International Dance and Jazz Days will culminate the virtual April repertoire.  On 29 April, we can enjoy the opening performance and dance films created by the team of LMTA Department of Dance and Movement during the 2016 Summer Media Studio creative workshops.  On April 30, you are invited to a jazz improvisation concert performed by Vytis Nivinskas (double-bass) and musicians from Israel – Iris Portugaly (vocal, percussion) ir Ofer Portugaly (piano). The concert took place at LMTA Balcony Theatre in 2018.

All the events start at 6 pm. 

LMTA information 
1 April 2020 

24^th-29^th of June, Vilnius

EUROPEAN CHAMBER MUSIC ACADEMY (ECMA) SESSION, 2024

Career Skills and New Performance Formats trainings

ECMA, or the European Chamber Music Academy, is an international network of European music schools whose mission is to nurture young talent by focusing on established chamber ensembles such as string quartets, piano trios and others. In order to promote the tradition of chamber music and the best young and driven ensembles, ECMA organises top-level training for performers and provides opportunities for them to present themselves to the wider public in concerts and performances.

The focus of this ECMA session is on building careers and  forming and deepening new skills in music performance.

CONCERTS
June 27^th, 19:00 | Energy and Technology Museum (Rinktinės str. 2, Vilnius)
June 29^th, 19:00 | Grand Hall, LMTA I building (Gedimino ave. 42)

ENSEMBLES
Susato Trio (Belgium / Philippines–USA / Ukraine)
Trio Sheliak (Switzerland)
Ensemble Ramé (Austria / China)
Cuore Piano Trio (Poland / Austria)
Coda Quartet (Norway)
Helio String Quartet (Lithuania)

MASTERCLASSES
June 24^th-29^th | LMTA II building (Vilnius str. 6-2, Vilnius)

LECTURES
June 25^th-26^th | LMTA II building (Vilnius str. 6-2, Vilnius)

LAUNCH OF ECMA DIGITAL CAREER SKILLS PLATFORM
June 28^th, 18:00 | Karosas Hall, LMTA I building (Gedimino ave. 42)

Artistic Director prof. dr. Indrė Baikštytė

Masterclasses tutors:
prof. Johannes Meissl (Austria)
prof. Avedis Kouyoumdjian (Austria)
prof. Patrick Jüdt (Switzerland)

Lecturers:
Andreas Vierziger (Austria)
Inga Uus (Lithuania)

2022 June 22–27

LMTA Building 2 (Vilniaus 6-2, Vilnius)

EUROPEAN CHAMBER MUSIC ACADEMY (ECMA) SESSION

Participating Ensembles:  
Andersson Duo (Lithuania)
Alces Trio (Norway)
Trio Bohemo (Czech Republic)
Trio Chimera (Netherlands)
Heathcliff Trio (Denmark)
Piano Quintet Profugo Ensemble (Netherlands) 
Rubik Quartet (Austria)
Duo Cinqordes (Lithuania) 

SCHEDULE

Free entrance

Project funded by Lithuanian Council for Culture

ECMA Pro is a cooperation project, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the EU

Founded in 2004, the ECMA – European Chamber Music Academy has established itself as the leading further education program for young professional chamber music ensembles in Europe: educational institutions and festivals from all over Europe and beyond cooperate in promoting young formations on their way to artistic independence. At the heart of ECMA are the ECMA Sessions, international coaching sessions lasting several days for young ensembles from all over Europe, which take place alternately at the various partner institutions.

The ECMA Pro cooperation project aims to take the existing ECMA work to another level by adding and proving new formats and activities. Twelve partner institutions from nine different European countries will realize this project cooperatively in the course of the coming four years.

Core aims of the project:

• ECMA Pro will enhance the transnational mobility of artists within the field of chamber music by testing and organizing “show cases” – concerts for a “professional” audience such as concert and festival organizers and agencies – in order to support young ensembles in their international career development.
• The project will strengthen the social relevance and raise the awareness of the social responsibility of musicians as individuals. It aims to deepen the relationship between musicians and their audience by addressing audience development in both traditional and non-traditional performance venues.
• Capacity-building in the field of chamber music will be fostered: beside artistic training and education it tackles career-skills training, audience development and societal outreach.
• ECMA Pro will enhance digitization and encourage students and teachers to use new technologies. Activities will include developing formats of blended mobility; creating an online learning platform for career-skills training and an openly accessible bank of exercises of educational material for chamber music education; and finally building a digital switchboard to facilitate contacts between concert operators and chamber music ensembles.

Project activities

• 12 Showcases, during ECMA Sessions and partner festivals
• 6 ECMA Sessions with Musethica
• 8 ECMA Sessions with Career-Skills Training
• 8 ECMA Sessions with New Performance-Method Training
• ECMA Digital Career-Skills Platform
• ECMA Career Development Switchboard
• ECMA Digital Knowledge Center for Teaching Chamber Music

The ECMA Pro Consortium

ECMA Pro is a cooperation project involving 12 partner institutions and festivals from 9 European countries:

• mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (AT)
• Royal Conservatoire The Hague (NL)
• Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris (FR)
• Norges musikkhøgskole, Oslo (NOR)
• Scuola di Musica di Fiesole – Fondazione Onlus (IT)
• Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, Budapest (HU)
• Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Vilnius (LT)
• ECMA – European Chamber Music Academy (AT)
• Grafenegg Festival (AT)
• Musethica (DE)                 
• Flanders Festival Ghent (BE) 
• AEC – Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen, Brussels (BE)

Background

The situation in Europe in professional chamber music has changed over recent decades: the quality of chamber music ensembles has risen considerably due to better training in higher music education institutions.

For some young musicians forming a chamber ensemble has become a part of their “portfolio career” and therefore plays an important role in securing their economic stability.

As an equivalent to (small) band formations in other genres of music (jazz, rock, pop, world music, etc.), chamber music has acquired a different general appeal to young people. Audiences can relate to the intimacy of small group performances and to the strong individuality of the presentations.

Digital distribution plays an increasingly important role in the dissemination of artistic content as well as in marketing and for booking itself.

Young chamber-music ensembles are still faced with obstacles when starting an international career, primarily having difficulties in making professional connections in other countries.

To avoid an even bigger gap between offer and demand, and to work towards a realistic employability situation for qualified ensembles, it is essential to enhance international co-operation between musicians and “professional partners”, i.e. concert venues, agencies, festivals and organizers of cultural events and social activities.

It is this situation that ECMA PRO wants to address.

Project management

The mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna is the coordinator of the ECMA Pro project and responsible for its overall implementation. The project partners develop the concrete implementation of the project cooperatively in working groups and realize it both individually as well as collectively. The project, which will be evaluated by an external evaluator, runs from 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2024.

Contact
Veronika Leiner
Project Management ECMA Pro
University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw)
email: leiner@mdw.ac.at
phone: +43-1-71155-7451

2020 April 4,  Saturday, 18:00 

tv.lmta.lt

Concert by European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) in the Trakai Castle

Mettis String Quartet (Lithuania): Kostas Tumosa (I violin), Bernardas Petrauskas (II violin), Karolis Rudokas (viola), Rokas Vaitkevičius (cello)
Erlendis Guitar Quartet (Poland, Denmark): Anna Chorążyczewska, Adrian Furmankiewicz, Wojciech Jurkiewicz, Karol Mruk
Malion String Quartet (Germany, Finland): Hanna Ponkala (I violin), Jelena Galic (II violin), Ulla Knuuttila (viola), Bettina Kessler (cello)

The concert took place on 2 October 2019.  

2019 October 4, Friday, 18:00

LMTA Building 1: Great Hall (Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius) 

ECMA CONCERT IN VILNIUS

Europe Chamber Music Academy session in Vilnius

Performers:
Piano Trio “Forza” (Lithuania)
Quintet “Le Bateau Ivre” (France)
Piano Trio “Bohémo” (Hungary)

Programme:
A. Dvořák, G. Pierné, A. Jolivet, D. Šostakovič.

Tickets: Free, no tickets required.  

2019 October 2, Wednesday, 18:00

Trakai Castle (Kęstučio 4, Trakai) 

ECMA CONCERT IN TRAKAI

Europe Chamber Music Academy session in Vilnius

Performers:
String Quartet “Mettis” (Lithuania)
Guitar Quartet “Erlendis” (Poland / Denmark)
String Quartet “Malion” (Germany/ Finland)

Programme:
J. S. Bach, J. Haydn, L. Boccherini, B. Bartók, E. Lecuona, L. Brouwer.

Tickets: Free, no tickets required.  

JOINT PROGRAMME  European Chamber Music Master – ECMAster

Programme duration: two-year full-time study, 120 ECTS
Language of instruction: English
Application deadline: February 12, 2024
Audition in Vilnius*: March 25, 2024

* The entrance examination could also take place remotely. Please upload the audition programme video to YouTube and send us the URL/link by email. The interview will take place via Zoom / Microsoft Teams.

For more information please contact  Prof. Dr. Indrė Baikštytė
E-mail indre.baikstyte@lmta

The ECMAster (European Chamber Music Master) is a two-year joint programme on the master level for pre-existing chamber music ensembles. It is operated by seven leading higher music education institutions in Europe in close collaboration with ECMA (European Chamber Music Academy), an association of European music universities, conservatoires and festivals.

By tailor-made curricula, the ECMAster enables the students to develop their specific artistic, technical, reflective and social skills and to act as strong, independent and innovative ensemble musicians who can meet the high professional demands in tomorrow’s music scene. The admitted chamber music groups will take advantage of the expertise, culture and tradition of three separate music institutions. During the two years of advanced study, two obligatory exchange semesters at two different host institutions will be supported by Erasmus+ mobility funds. In addition, the ensembles will also participate in at least six ECMA sessions and get access to a European network in the profession of chamber music. 

The programme is designed for already established chamber ensembles; therefore, students have to commit to working together during the entire duration of their studies.

PARTNERS:

Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris (France),

Fondazione Scuola di Musica di Fiesole Onlus (Italy),

Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag (the Netherlands),

Lietuvos muzikos ir teatro akademija, Vilnius (Lithuania),

Norges Musikhøgskole, Oslo (Norway),

Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester (the United Kingdom),

Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien (Austria),

European Chamber Music Academy ECMA (Austria).

LMTA ECMASTER curriculum

ECMAster flyer

2018 February 9, Friday, 19:00
LMTA Great Hall (Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius)

Programme

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
String quartet op. 77, no. 1 G-dur
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Menuetto
IV. Presto

String quartet Marc Aurel (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna) 
Arevik Ivanyan, violin
Konstanze Heinicke, violin
Stephanie Drach, viola
Tristan Feichtner, cello
————————————

Tickets: Free, no tickets required.

2018 February 7, Wednesday, 19:00
LMTA Great Hall (Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius)

Programme: J. Haydn, L. van Beethoven, F. Schubert, S. Vainiūnas 

Tickets: Free, no tickets required.

Course catalogue for regular students available in English:

BACHELOR’S STUDIES:

DANCE:

Classical Dance
Contemporary Dance

DANCE AND EDUCATION

MUSIC PERFORMANCE:

Accordion
Choir Conduction
Conducting and Organ Studies 
Harpsichord 
Jazz
Jazz and Popular Music 
Organ 
Piano
Symphony Orchestra Conducting
String InstrumentsString Instruments (Guitar)
Vocal Performance 
Wind and Percussion Instruments
Wind Orchestra Conducting

MUSIC STUDIES

Composition
Electronical Music
Music and Education

MASTER’S STUDIES:

COMPOSITION (MA):

Academic Composition
Digital Technologies

MUSIC PERFORMANCE:

Accordion
Baroque Opera
Choir Conducting
Vocal Performance
Jazz
Jazz and Popular Music
Wind Orchestra Conducting
Symphony Orchestra Conducting
ECMAster
Piano
Chamber Ensemble
Orchestral Music
Chamber Vocal Performance
Harpsichord
Piano Accompaniment
String Instruments
Wind and Percussion Instruments
Contemporary and Improvisational Music
Organ

Saturday 29^th June 2024, 19:00
„Organum“ Concert Hall (Savanorių Ave. 1, Vilnius)

CLOSING CONCERT OF THE EUROPEAN CHAMBER MUSIC ACADEMY SESSION

Throughout the week of St John’s Day in Vilnius, the most talented young chamber ensembles from Europe will be honing their skills and presenting a spectacular musical feast to the citizens of Vilnius and the city’s visitors – the final concert at the Great Hall of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. 
In a special setting, the concert will feature refined interpretations of piano trios and string quartets. The programme includes time-honoured masterpieces of chamber music as well as new works from the second half of the 20th century.
It is truly impressive that the ensembles participating in this year’s session of the European Academy of Chamber Ensembles include musicians from as many as 10 countries – Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, the USA, the Philippines, Ukraine, Norway, China and Lithuania. This shows once again the power of chamber music to bring the world and its people closer together.
Lithuania is represented this year by the young and very promising Helio String Quartet. We will also hear chamber ensembles: the Susato Trio (Belgium/Philippines – USA/Ukraine) and Ensemble Ramé (Austria/China).

Programme:
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Phantasiestucke, Op. 88 for piano trio
I d. – Romance 
II d. – Humoreske 
III d. – Duet 
IV d. – Finale
Performed by SUSATO TRIO (Koninklijk Conservatorium den Haag, The Netherlands)
Markiyan POPIL (piano)
Sarah BAYENS (violin)
Mikko PABLO (cello)

Erwin Schulhoff (1894-1942)
String Quartet No.1, WV 72
I d. – Presto con fuoco
II d. – Allegretto con moto e con malinconia grotesca
III d. – Allegro giocoso alla Slovacca
IV – Andante molto sostenuto
Performed by HELIO STRING QUARTET (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Lithuania)
Saulė BUIKAITE (violin)
Monika DARGYTĖ (violin)
Rūta BUIŠAITĖ (viola)
Vaiva SODAITYTE (cello)

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 101
I d. – Allegro energico
II d. – Presto non assai
III – Andante grazioso
IV – Allegro molto
Performed by ENSEMBLE RAMÉ (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, Austria)
Siyue ZHANG (piano)
Jiayi CHEN (violin)
Marilies GUSCHLBAUER (cello)

For more information about the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) Masterclasses, Lectures and Concerts – www.ecma-music.com

Free admission, welcome!

Thursday 27 June 2024, 7pm
Museum of Energy and Technology (Rinktinės str. 2, Vilnius)

EUROPEAN CHAMBER MUSIC ACADEMY ENSEMBLES SESSION CONCERT

Throughout the week of Midsummer in Vilnius, Europe’s most talented young chamber ensembles will be honing their skills and presenting a spectacular musical feast to Vilnius residents and visitors with a concert at the Museum of Energy and Technology. 
The concert will take place in a special setting and will feature refined interpretations of piano trios and string quartets. The programme includes time-honoured masterpieces of chamber music as well as new works from the second half of the 20th century.
It is truly impressive that the ensembles participating in this year’s session of the European Academy of Chamber Ensembles include musicians from as many as 10 countries – Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, the USA, the Philippines, Ukraine, Norway, China and Lithuania. This shows once again the power of chamber music to bring the world and its people closer together.
Participants include Trio Sheliak (Switzerland), Coda Quartet (Norway), Cuore Piano Trio (Poland/Austria).

Programme:
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Piano Trio in A major, Hob. XV:14 
1st movement – Allegro moderato
2nd movement – Adagio
III. d. – Rondo. Vivace
Johannes Maria Staud (1974)
Für Bálint András Varga Miniatures for violin, cello and piano (2007)
Performed by TRIO SHELIAK (Hochschule der Künste Bern, Switzerland)
Sergio COSTA (piano)
Emanuele BRILLI (violin)
Matilde MICHELOZZI (cello)

Anton Webern (1883-1945)
Langsamer Satz (“Slow movement”) for string quartet
Performed by CODA QUARTET (Norges musikkhøgskole, Norway)
Jon DARRE (violin)
Fanny HJORT (violin)
Theodor NORMANN-EIDE (viola)
Thomas NETTLE (cello)

Mikolaj Górecki (1971)
Six Bagatelles for violin, cello and piano (1997)
CUORE PIANO TRIO (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, Austria)
Szymon OGRYZEK (piano)
Zuzanna Małgorzata BUDZYŃSKA-OGRYZEK (smuikas)
Antoni ORŁOWSKI (cello)

For more information about the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) Masterclasses, Lectures and Concerts – www.ecma-music.com

Free admission, welcome!

2023 November 22, Wednesday, 18:00
LMTA Great Hall (Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius)

CHAMBER MUSIC EVENING

Dedicated to the memory of Professor Hatto Beyerle (1933-2023), one of the founders of the ECMA (European Chamber Music Academy)

Participants: student ensembles of LMTA Department of Chamber Ensemble

Adriana Černiukaitė (violin)
Dina Novikova (violin)
Skirmantas Latvaitis (viola)
Kornelija Morkevičiūtė (cello)
Prof. Augustinas Vasiliauskas class

Vaigailė Dainavičiūtė (violin)
Simonas Miknius (piano)
Prof. Indrė Baikštytė class

Dovilė Vaizgielaitė (piano)
Lukas Pronskus (violin)
Vaiva Sodaitytė (cello)
Lect. Rokas Vaitkevičius class 

Kristijonas Pūtys (violin)
Morta Jurkėnaitė (clarinet)
Anastasija Šumskaitė (piano)
Prof. Indrė Baikštytė class

Monika Sapiegaitė (violin)
Adelė Silickaitė (violin)
Marija Vaitkutė (alto)
Emilija Katiliūtė (cello)
Assoc. Prof. Ingrida Rupaitė class

Laisvyda Leckutė (violin)
Aistė Bernotavičiūtė (piano)
Assoc. Prof. Ingrida Rupaitė class

Rokas Stunžėnas (double bass)
Kristiana Jodko (piano)
Prof. Indrė Baikštytė class

Airinė Taučaitė (piano)
Valerija Kycia (violin)
Monika Tijūnonytė (cello)
Prof. Indrė Baikštytė class

Fortepijoninis pučiamųjų ansamblis „Nexum“
Gintarė Rudaitytė (piano)
Saulina Nedzinskaitė (flute)
Kęstutis Abaris (clarinet)
Lukas Grinkas (bassoon)
Prof. Dalia Balsytė class

Kamilė Kaučikaitė (piano)
Dina Novikova (violin)
Birutė Ilčiukaitė (viola)
Kornelija Morkevičiūtė (cello)
Prof. Indrė Baikštytė and Assoc. Prof. Vaida Paukštienė classes 

Programme: J. Haydn, A. Dvořák, G. Fauré, G. Mahler, I. J. Paderewski, D. Šostakovič, V. Barkauskas, B. Kutavičius, F. Latėnas

Free entrance

Creative Europe project “ECMA PRO” (2020-2024)

The “ECMA PRO” project is part of the Creative Europe program (2020-2024). More information about the project can be found at:

https://www.aec-music.eu/about-aec/news/new-partnership-ecma-pro-international-career-development-and-socially-engaged-outreach-in-chamber-music

and on the ECMA website:

https://www.ecma-music.com/en/

Nordplus intensive programme “IMMEDIA” (2021-2023)

“IMMEDIA” intensive programme is part of the Nordplus program (2016-2018). More information about the project can be found at:

http://www.nordplusmusic.net/index.php?id=458

Nordplus development project “Dig.Music” (2020-2022)

The “Dig.Music” project is a distance learning music development project with partners from the Nordic and Baltic countries, coordinated by Metropolia University in Finland. More information about the project can be found at:

https://www.metropolia.fi/en/rdi/rdi-projects/dig-music

EU co-financed program “Intellect. Joint science-business projects” project “Breakthrough innovations for the development of digital music industry” (2020-2022)

The “Breakthrough innovations for the development of digital music industry” project is part of the EU co-financed program “Intellect. Joint science-business projects” (2020-2022). More information about the project can be found at:

https://www.shakespearemusic.com/eu-projects/

“Perception of Music Performance Expression: Intercultural Aspects and the Lithuanian Case” (2019-2022). Project funded by the Lithuanian Research Council (Agreement No. S-MIP-19/49/F16-503).

The “Perception of Music Performance Expression: Intercultural Aspects and the Lithuanian Case” project is funded by the Lithuanian Research Council (Agreement No. S-MIP-19/49/F16-503). More information about the project can be found at:

http://harps.lmta.lt/projektai/vykdomi-projektai/

Erasmus+ strategic partnership project “INTERMUSIC” (2017-2020)

The “INTERMUSIC” project is an Erasmus+ strategic partnership project (2017-2020). More information about the project can be found at:

http://intermusicproject.eu

and on the project platform:

https://intermusic.lmta.lt

Nordplus intensive programme “NORD+MIX” (2016-2018)

The “NORD+MIX” intensive programme is part of the Nordplus program (2016-2018). More information about the project can be found at:

http://nordplusmusic.net/index.php?id=234

COMPOSITION

Aim of the study programme is to train a highly qualified composer of academic composition or digital technologies (electronic music) who knows the theory and practice of composition, the basics of artistic research, has very good skills in instrumentation, electronic and computer music creation and is able to professionally implement instrumental and/or electronic music-related creative projects, continuously improve themselves and study individually.

2022 June 27, Monday, 18:00

 National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (Katedros sq. 4, Vilnius).

CONCERT OF THE EUROPEAN CHAMBER MUSIC ACADEMY (ECMA) SESSION 

Registration form for audience

PROGRAMME

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) 
String quintet No. 1 F-major, op. 88 
Allegro non troppo ma con brio 
Grave ed appassionato 
Allegro energico – Presto 
RUBIK QUARTET (Musethica ensemble, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, Austria): 
Djanay Tulenova (violin) 
Zarina Imayakova (violin) 
Nic Elias Hughes (viola) 
Uhr Mrak (cello) 
AVRI LEVITAN (viola, Israel, director and co-founder of Musethica)

Robert Schumann (1810–1856) 
Piano trio No. 3 g-minor, op. 110 
Bewegt, doch nicht zu rasch 
Ziemlich langsam 
Rasch 
Kräftig, mit Humor 
TRIO CHIMERA (Hochschule der Künste Bern, Switzerland): 
Marta Ceretta (piano) 
Stefano Raccagni (violin) 
Giorgio Lucchini (cello) 

***

Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967) 
Intermezzo for string trio 
George Gershwin (1898–1937) 
Three preludes for string trio (arrangement made by Martin Stegner) 
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso 
Andante con moto e poco rubato 
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso 
DUO CINQORDES (Musethica ensemble, Lietuvos muzikos ir teatro akademija, Lithuania):
Erika Ieva Eriksonaitė (violin) 
Simonas Laučka (viola)  
POVILAS JACUNSKAS (cello, Lithuania, assoc. prof. of LMTA Department of Chamber Ensemble)

Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) 
Piano trio No. 43 C-major, Hob. XV:27 
Allegro 
Andante 
Finale: Presto 
Ferenz Liszt (1811–1886) 
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 9 Carneval de Pest (original trio version by the composer) 
TRIO BOHÉMO (ECMA, Czech Republic):
Jan Vojtek (piano) 
Matouš Pěruška (violin) 
Kristina Vocetková (cello)  

Free entrance

ECMA-MUSETCHICA session is a part of the project „ECMA Pro“ partly funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission.

2022 June 25, Saturday, 18:00

LMTA Building 1: Great Hall (Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius)

CONCERT OF THE EUROPEAN CHAMBER MUSIC ACADEMY (ECMA) SESSION 

Alces Trio, Norges musikkhøgskole (Norway) 
Andersson Duo, Lietuvos muzikos ir teatro akademija (Lithuania) 
Heathcliff Trio, Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium (Denmark) 
Piano Quintet Profugo Ensemble, Koninklijk Conservatorium den Haag (The Netherlands)

PROGRAMME

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) 
Sonata for violin and piano No. 7 c-minor, op. 30 
Allegro con brio 
Adagio cantabile  
Scherzo: Allegro  
Finale: Allegro – Presto 
ANDERSSON DUO 
Julija Ivanovaitė (violin) 
Paulius Andersson (piano) 

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) 
Piano trio No. 3 c-minor, op. 101 
Allegro energico 
Presto non assai 
Andante grazioso 
Allegro molto 
HEATHCLIFF TRIO 
Jonathan Siahaan (piano) 
Ashley Tong (violin) 
Sebastian Kolin (cello) 
Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) 
Piano quintet No. 2, op. 81 
Allegro, ma non tanto 
Dumka: Andante con moto 
PIANO QUINTET PROFUGO ENSEMBLE 
Manuel Urios (violin) 
Sarah Nojosa (violin) 
Kaat Schraepen (viola) 
Carmen Ramírez (violoncello) 
Marta Fernández (piano) 
Koninklijk Conservatorium den Haag 

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937) 
Piano trio (1914) 
Modéré 
Pantoum (Assez vif) 
Passacaille (Très large) 
Final (Animé) 
TRIO ALCES 
Tokiwa Onoda (piano) 
Ragna Rian (violin) 
Ema Grčman (cello) 
Norges musikkhøgskole 

Free entrance

ECMA-MUSETCHICA session is a part of the project „ECMA Pro“ partly funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission. 

Some of the projects implemented by the LMTA: 

• International M. K. Čiurlionis Piano and Organ Competition (organised in cooperation with Public Institution Natų Knygynas)
• International Jasha Heifetz Competition for Violinists (organised in cooperation with Public Institution Natų Knygynas)
• International Stasys Vainiūnas Competition for Pianists and Chamber Ensembles (organised in cooperation with Public Institution Natų Knygynas)
• International Virgilijus Noreika Competition for Singers (organised in cooperation with Public Institution Natų Knygynas)
• Juozas Pakalnis International Competition of Wind and Percussion Instruments (organised in cooperation with Public Institution Muzikos idėjos)
• International Accordion Competition (organised in cooperation with the Lithuanian Accordionists Association)
• International Competition for Lithuanian Chamber Music Performance
• International Juozas Naujalis Competition for Choral Conductors
• International Kazimieras Biliūnas Folk Instruments Festival and Competition for Soloists, Ensembles, and Orchestras (organised in cooperation with Klaipėda Stasys Šimkus Conservatoire)
• European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) sessions in Lithuania
• International Student Film Festival Šoblė
• International Student Festival of Contemporary Dance Shock Academy
• International Student and Youth Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts LMTA Theatre Days
• National Competition for Accordionists (organised in cooperation with the Lithuanian Accordionists Association)
• Vincė Jonuškaitė-Zaunienė Competition for Female Singers (organised in cooperation with Vydūnas Youth Fund)
• LMTA Honorary Doctor Stasys Baras Award Competition for Singers
• National Juozas Naujalis Organ Competition
• Piano Competition Lisztofonija (organised in cooperation with the Lithuanian Liszt Society LiSZtuania) 
• National Children Competition for Musical Composition Mano Nata (organised in cooperation with the Lithuanian Composers’ Union) 
• Nijolė and Jonas Dėdinai Foundation (USA) Award Competition for LMTA Pianists 
• National Student and Children Festival and Competition for Piano Accompanists
• Sight-Reading Competition for Piano Accompanists
• National Jonas Švedas Competition (organised in cooperation with the Lithuanian Folk Instrumental Music Society Kanklės)
• Leonas Povilaitis Contemporary Lithuanian Music Competition (organised in cooperation with Vilnius Ąžuoliukas Music School) 
• Raimundas Katilius Competition for Young Performers 
• Elzbieta Kardelienė Competition for Singers 
• Performing Arts Sketch Competition Balkono Okupacija 

In addition, the community of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre has initiated or joined other major traditional art and culture projects such as, among others, National Cultural and Art Award Winner Recital Nights Meistrai Didžiojoje, the Religious Music Cycle at the Church of St. Casimir, Contemporary Art Festival MiSC Media Week, Spatial Sound Festival Sferos/ Premjeros, Vilnius Lukiškės Square Piano Music Night Juodais Baltais, also concerts taking place within the Days of the German Language Ö kaip vokiškai?, the Open Architecture Weekend Open House Vilnius, and Vilnius International Theatre Festival Sirenos. 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Ensembles apply at one of the partner institutions and after successful entrance examinations are enrolled into the programme at this institution which is considered as the home institution. ECMAster students spend semesters 1 and 4 at their home institution and semesters 2 and 3 at two different host institutions. Two exchange semesters at partner institutions and participation in joint intensive modules (ECMA sessions) are obligatory:

• Semester 1: Home institution
• Semester 2: Potential host institutions: Fiesole, Manchester, Oslo or Vienna
• Semester 3: Potential host institutions: Paris, The Hague or Vilnius
• Semester 4: Home institution

Each ensemble is appointed a principal artistic supervisor from the home institution and artistic supervisors from each host institution. 

ECMA SESSIONS 

Ensembles are committed to attend a minimum of six ECMA sessions within the two years, normally one session in semesters 1 and 4, and two sessions in semesters 2 and 3. In semesters 2 and 3, one of the sessions will be at the host institution. In semesters 1 and 4, the ensemble will participate in the session at the home institution.

LMTA AS HOME INSTITUTION

ECMAster students entering the programme at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA) will benefit from a wide range of performance opportunities as well as 68 hours of chamber music lessons and 34 hours of solo instrument lessons by the best chamber musicians and featuring soloists. ECMAster students follow the programme at LMTA as a home institution during the first and the last semester while studying at two different host institutions during the two other semesters:

• Semester 1 – courses offered at LMTA: Chamber Music (15 ECTS), Solo Instrument (5 ECTS), Basics of Research Paper (5 ECTS), Elective course (5 ECTS)
• Semester 2 – courses offered at selected host I institution in: Fiesole, Manchester, Oslo or Vienna
• Semester 3 – courses offered at selected host II institution: Paris or the Hague
• Semester 4 – courses offered at LMTA: Master’s Art Project (15 ECTS), Solo Instrument (5 ECTS), Final Research Paper (15 ECTS)  

ECMAster courses taken at the host institutions during Semester 3 and 4 are fully recognized by LMTA as a part of the joint curriculum, information about the courses, credits and results appear on Diploma Supplement and ECMAster Certificate.

LMTA AS HOST INSTITUTION 

ECMAster students entering the programme at one of ECMAster partner institutions, may select LMTA as a host institution during Semester 3. Students may apply for Semester 3 in frames of Erasmus+ student mobility programme. Erasmus+ student application deadline is 15th of May. Partner institutions are recommended to nominate ECMAster ensemble by the end of March.

Semester 3 – courses offered at LMTA: Chamber Music (15 ECTS), Solo Instrument (5 ECTS), and two elective courses (10 ECTS).

LIST OF ELECTIVE COURSES

Music Performance Studies (5 ECTS)

Technology and New Media (5 ECTS)

Contemporary Chamber Music and Improvisation (5 ECTS)

Music Performance Management (5 ECTS), to be confirmed in 2019

Lithuanian Ethnic Music Practice (5 ECTS), to be confirmed in 2019 

ELIGIBILITY AND ADMISSION

The programme is open to established ensembles with a standard instrument combination: string quartets, piano trios, string trios, piano quartets, wind quintets, brass quintets, saxophone quartets, and other ensembles.

Applicant must have completed a bachelor‘s degree in music performance or equivalent qualification. Applicant must be a member of an established ensemble, and all ensemble members must apply to the same institution.

Applicant must have advanced instrumental and musical skills; have the relevant skills and experience in chamber music; have the ability to reflect upon and make independent artistic choices. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications must be submitted to the institutions which is chosen as home institution. Application file must include:

• Application
• Curriculum Vitae containing the applicant‘s relevant artistic activities
• Description of the Ensemble‘s activities
• Documentation of a bachelor‘s degree or equivalent (to be completed before the commencement of the master study)
• Master project proposal 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• A prepared ensemble program of 60 minutes of at least three contrasting works or movements in different styles relevant for the ensemble type.
• An interview

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Ensembles apply at one of the partner institutions and after successful entrance examinations are enrolled into the programme at this institution which is considered as the home institution. ECMAster students spend semesters 1 and 4 at their home institution and semesters 2 and 3 at two different host institutions. Two exchange semesters at partner institutions and participation in joint intensive modules (ECMA sessions) are obligatory.

• Semester 1: Home institution
• Semester 2: Potential host institutions: Fiesole, Manchester, Oslo or Vienna
• Semester 3: Potential host institutions: Paris, The Hague or Vilnius
• Semester 4: Home institution

Each ensemble is appointed a principal artistic supervisor from the home institution and artistic supervisors from each host institution. 

ECMA SESSIONS 

Ensembles are committed to attend a minimum of six ECMA sessions within the two years, normally one session in semesters 1 and 4, and two sessions in semesters 2 and 3. In semesters 2 and 3, one of the sessions will be at the host institution. In semesters 1 and 4, the ensemble will participate in the session at the home institution.

MASTER’S STUDIES
2^nd cycle, 1.5 to 2 study years, 90-120 ECTS 

STUDY PROGRAMME PROFILES:

• Composition
• Music Performance
• Art Reasearch and Communication
• Film Art
• Theatre Art
• Dance Art

STUDY PROGRAMME CURRICULUM / STUDY SUBJECTS DESCRIPTION ⃰

⃰ If you don’t find the study subject description you are interested in, please contact LMTA Erasmus Coordinator and(or) select subject from the Optional subjects list: https://lmta.lt/lt/english-lmta-welcomes-foreign-students/erasmus-and-exchanges-studies/english-exange-students/

COMPOSITION (MA)

Aim of the study programme is to train a highly qualified composer of academic composition or digital technologies (electronic music) who knows the theory and practice of composition, the basics of artistic research, has very good skills in instrumentation, electronic and computer music creation and is able to professionally implement instrumental and/or electronic music-related creative projects, continuously improve themselves and study individually.

The Course Catalogue is an official list of study programmes and courses offered by the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. The official language of instruction is Lithuanian (LT), but there are a certain number of courses available in English (EN). Information about the course language(s) is indicated in the list. 

Exchange students may select courses taught in English from the list of obligatory courses, and from the list of elective courses offered by the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Vilnius University, and the Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts.  

There are several study programmes partly taught in English and Lithuanian: Music Performance (Bachelor’s, Master’s) and Composition (Bachelor’s, Master’s). 

The official language of the joint programme ECMAster (European Chamber Music Master) is English. 

LMTA participation in Erasmus+ Capacity Building projects:

DEMUSIS – Enhancing the Digital Competencies and Entrepreneurship Skills of Academic Musicians in Serbia for Culturally More Engaged Society (2019-2022)

The project is aimed at increasing the awareness of digital and entrepreneurial skills in music education in Serbia. Expected results: 1) modernization of curricula –  the new master programme “Music in Digital Environment“; 2) continuous professional development of employees in music sector in Serbia – certified LLL courses; 3) development of digital competencies through entrepreneurship  for artistic self-expression and promotion of more engaged and culturally responsible musicians committed to the civil society. 

Coordinator: University of Arts in Belgrade (Serbia). Partners: AEC (Belgium), New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria), Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania), Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag (The Netherlands), University of Kragujevac (Serbia), University of Novy Sad (Serbia), RDU Radio Televizija (Serbia), EIPIX Entertainment Doo Novy Sad (Serbia), Mad Head Games (Serbia). 

LMTA participation in Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership projects:

EOALAB – European Opera Academy – Competence Centre for Shared Opera Education (2018-2021)

Goals: to trigger innovation in the field of opera based on the innovative concept of shared education. This project acts as a think tank of the European Opera Academy to jointly elaborate, test and further develop innovative approaches in opera education and training to be disseminated to and exploited by other EOA members as well as other High Education Institutions and associated institutions.

Expected results: manual on shared education; policy recommendations for HEIs in opera training / innovative approaches to opera making; model of blended teaching activities on opera language teaching. 

Coordinator: ZUYD University of Applied Sciences – Maastricht Conservatoire (The Netherlands). Partners: AEC (Belgium), Royal Conservatoire Antwerp (Belgium), Conservatorio di Musica Arrigo Boito di Parma (Italy), Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music (Latvia), (Italy), Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania), Instituto Polytechnico do Porto – ESMAE (Portugal), Stockholm University of the Arts – UNIARTS (Sweden).

INTERMUSIC – INTERactive environment for MUSIC learning and practising (2018-2020)

Goals: to create an online shared Platform for the distance learning for music teaching/learning and sharing the best training practices for musicians, joint courses and online projects.

Expected results: development of the open INTERMUSIC platform; staff training; development of online courses; the internationalisation of music curriculum supported via the INTERMUSIC platform.

Coordinator: Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi di Milano (Italy). Partners: AEC (Belgium), The Royal Danish Academy of Music (Denmark), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania).

POLART CIRCLE (2016-2019) 

Goals: new tools to question to discuss political issues through art. Polart Circle is a new platform and pedagogical framework that involves actors, directors, teacher, students, theatre  professionals and amateurs representing higher performing art schools and non-governmental organizations from nine European countries. It work for the development and motivation of artists, teachers, educators, emerging artists, experts and engaged citizen.

Expected results: research, workshops and practical teaching/learning sessions in European countries; development and presentation of several methodologies formalizing artistic creation processes, associating art and politics; the development of open online courses Moocs (6).

Coordinator: La Transplanisphere (France). Partners: Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania), Teatermaskinen (Sweden), ExQuorum (Portugal), Ortzal Teatro (Spain), Volzano Theatre (The United Kingdom), Public Open University Zagreb (Croatia), Cittadinanzattiva (Italy), ODC Ensemble (Greece).

METRIC – Modernizing European Higher Music Education through Improvisation (2016-2018)

Goals: new and innovative approaches to improvisation teaching and learning, future perspectives of improvisation, networking and continuous collaboration.

Project results: online ‘Teaching and Learning Manual on Improvisation” and 3 Joint EU Modules on improvisation, all of which have been developed within the scope of the project.

LMTA shared ownership: the joint European module „International Collaboration in Contemporary Improvisation“. The module is optional (elective), available to 3rd and 4th year bachelor students of all music performance specializations, 3 ECTS for one Semester.

Coordinator: Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (Estonia). Partners: AEC (Belgium), the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp (Belgium), Sibelius Academy – UNIARTS (Finland), Hoschschule für Musik und Theater Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (Germany), Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de dense de Paris (France), Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania), Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag (The Netherlands), Norwegian Academy of Music (Norway), National University of Music (Romania), ESMUC Barcelona (Spain), Göteborg University, Academy of Music and Drama (Sweden), University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Luzern (Switzerland), The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (The United Kingdom).

ECMA – NEXT STEP (2016-2018)

Goals: new content for European Chamber Music Academy training programme – curriculum, mobility, European chamber music expertise.

Project results: ECmaster – Joint European Master’s Programme for Chamber Music (launched in 2019), and chamber music teaching/learning manual.

Coordinator: Norwegian Academy of Music (Norway). Partners: Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien (Austria), Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de dense de Paris (France), Fondazione Scuola di Musica di Fiesole (Italy), Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania), Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag (The Netherlands), Royal Northern College of Music (The United Kingdom).  

ECTHEC – Entrepreneurial Challenges to Theatre Higher Education (2017-2019)

Project aims at exploring the following topics: teaching cultural entrepreneurship; entrepreneurship and the performing arts; new learning spaces as a part of artistic entrepreneurship; artistic response – methods of theatrical co-creation.  

Coordinator: Polytechnico do Lisboa – Ecsola Superior de Teatro e Cinema (Portugal). Partners: Den Danske Scenekunstskole (Denmark), ENSATT (France),  École des Ecoles (France), Fondazione Teatro da Piza (Italy), Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg (Germany), Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania), Guildhall School of Music and Drama (The United Kingdom).   

ACTA – Actor Training in a Globalised World (2017-2019) 

Goals: exploration of global challenges and development of curriculum, new methods of actor training. Project was interrupted in 2018.

LMTA internationalization is seen as a key driver for improvement and development. In the age of globalization, the international and intercultural competences of students and staff are increasingly important. Therefore, the Academy supports mobility and networking and extends partnerships with higher education institutions of similar profile in Europe and beyond. 

In frames of Erasmus+ programme, the LMTA cooperates with about 156 partner institutions throughout Europe and runs together students and staff mobility, strategic partnership projects and other project-based cooperation.

The strategic priority of the Academy is Nordic-Baltic cooperation. We are partners of  Nordplus networks:  NordClassic (classical music), Nordpuls (jazz), NordOpera (opera studies and professional integration), the folk music network Nordtrad, the music pedagogy network NNME, the Baltic-Nordic Music Therapy network, Nordplus horizontal network Percussion puls, the interdisciplinary network CAPE (Creative Arts Pedagogy and the Environment), the network for art entrepreneurship ActinArt, and Norteas (theatre schools).

The Academy is an active member of these international associations:

– AEC European Association of Conservatoires
– ANMA Association of Nordic Academies of Music
– EDE European Theatre Schools Association
– EOA European Opera Academy   

– ELIA globally connected European network of higher arts education

– ECMA European Chamber Music Academy and Association
– ECMTA European Chamber Music Teachers Association
– E:UTSA Europe: Union of Theatre Schools and Academies
– CILECT International Association of Film and Television Schools

Global networking is extended to countries outside the EU and includes Georgia, Senegal, Serbia and Israel (Erasmus+ KA107 mobility partners), as well as Armenia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and the USA (bilateral cooperation agreements).  

Special support for students and teaching staff from Ukraine includes fast acceptance, free accommodation in students’ dormitory (Giedraičių str. 57, Vilnius), free accommodation for academic staff at LMTA guest apartments and free tuition. 

CONTACTS

International Relations Office

Head of the Office:
Rima Rimšaitė
E-mail: rima.rimsaite@lmta.lt
Phone: (+370 5) 212 4967
Address: Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius (room 103)

Senior specialist:
Audrius Dabrovolskas
E-mail: audrius.dabrovolskas@lmta.lt
Phone: (+370 5) 261 0131
Address: Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius (room 102)

Senior specialist:
Kristina Valentonienė
E-mail: kristina.valenton@lmta.lt
Phone: (+370 5) 261 0131
Address: Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius (room 102)

Chief Specialist:
Giedrė Kabašinskienė
E-mail: giedre.kabasinskiene@lmta.lt
Phone: (+370 5) 261 0131
Address: Kosciuškos 12, Vilnius (room 312) 

Professor at the LMTA Department of Chamber Ensemble, Doctor of Arts. Subjects: Piano Chamber Music. Languages: Russian (C1), English (C1), German (B1).

Indrė Baikštytė comes from a family of famous musicians of Lithuania. Her grandfather was composer Eduardas Balsys and her mother is Dalia Balsytė, a pianist. Indrė Baikštytė a graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA). She also mastered her skills at the Piano Department of Berlin University of the Arts. In 2015, Indrė Baikštytė defended a thesis on the role of the pianist accompanist in the soloist’s artistic activity and was awarded PhD of Arts by the LMTA.

Indrė Baikštytė is a laureate of many national and international solo, accompanying, and chamber music competitions. A member of piano trio FortVio, Indrė took first prizes in chamber ensemble competitions in Lithuania, Russia, Austria, and Poland. From 2012 to 2014, the trio FortVio was an active member of the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) and in 2014, they won the Government Culture and Art Prize. 

The pianist has performed together with the Lithuanian National Symphonic Orchestra, Kaunas State Symphonic Orchestra, National Chamber Orchestra, Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, and Vilnius City Municipality St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra. Being an accompanist and a chamber musician, Indrė Baikštytė participates in the recordings with numerous instrumentalists. In 2002-2003, the pianist was invited to work as an accompanist and a tutor (Lehrauftrag) at the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts at the Berlin University of Arts.

Currently, Indrė Baikštytė is an associate professor at the LMTA Chamber Ensemble Department and is in charge of the international relations of the department. In addition to this, Indrė is the coordinator of the LMTA Contemporary Music specialisation. She also teaches at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts where, since 2007, she has acted as the Head of the Department of Chamber Ensemble. 

Lecturer of the LMTA Department of Chamber Ensemble

Professor of the LMTA Department of Chamber Ensemble, pianist.