Conference Program

Drawing on the personal outcomes of students and band members observed during two distinct research projects involving the Music School System (SMT) of the Autonomous Province of Trento, this paper presents the characteristics of the primary music education production system. This system contributes to such results through a model of public and private-cooperative co-production.

The study outlines student objectives, the genres studied versus those listened to, and their motivations (Deci, 1975; Ben-Ner and Putterman, 1998). It further explores the quality of established relationships (Gui and Stanca, 2010) and the environments where student creativity best flourishes (Dewey, 1916). Outcomes are also analysed in terms of accessibility (geographical, demographic, and socioeconomic) and used to delineate the traits of the cultural production system shaped by Trentino’s 1987 provincial law on culture.

It must be noted, however, that music schools are not an alternative to other educational entities; rather, they represent a service production model that is complementary to other musical institutions. Cultural volunteering, for instance, constitutes a fundamental pillar of the cultural democratization project. It offers a vital point of access to music—especially folk and community music—facilitated by a widespread network of band and choral associations supported by local administrations (Sacchetti, Diani, 2022; Diani, Sacchetti, Trulli, Schiavo 2024).

Band and choral training projects involve the SMTs alongside the federations of bands and choirs. These collaborations also extend to compulsory schooling through ensemble music and choral projects. Furthermore, several SMTs are currently developing partnerships with the Bonporti Conservatory of Trento and Riva del Garda. This plurality of actors and the collaborations—both active and potential—represent a significant resource for the region's musical vitality. They reflect a wide array of aspirations and needs, ranging from professionalizing opportunities in higher education to relational and personal growth in the majority of other cases.