Symposium

IKS Symposia are organised every two years. They offer participants the opportunity to meet not only with colleagues of their own country but also with prominent representatives of the international community of musicians, music researchers and music educators. They generate an ongoing process of exchange of information and documentation, expertise and know-how and highlight the importance of good music and music education as a necessary part of universal human knowledge.

List of all IKS Symposia

Looking forward to

The 28th International Kodály Symposium celebrates the unifying power of music through the lens of Kodály’s philosophy, exploring the theme “Varied Cultures, Shared Experiences.” Bringing together educators, conductors, performers, and researchers from around the world, the Symposium explores how diverse musical traditions can connect communities and foster shared understanding. Kodály’s life-work inspires across multiple nations; from infancy to old age; in musical genres incorporating classical, folk, jazz and popular music; and in communities across amateur and professional, generalist and specialist. Taking place in Cork, Ireland, the 2027 Symposium will be a celebration of every musical culture touched by Kodály.

Through concerts, workshops, and presentations, participants will experience the richness of global musical cultures while reaffirming Kodály’s vision of music as a universal language. The Symposium will feature keynote speeches, paper, poster and workshop presentations, and performances, as well as a number of social events and cultural excursions. Participants will engage in dialogue and learning with like-minded people from around the world, contributing to a vibrant exchange of ideas and practices.

For detailed information visit the Symposium website

Remembering the 27th

Here are some of the most memorable and impactful moments of the event:

Previous symposia

  • 26th — July 31 to 4 August, 2023, Los Angeles, CA, USA — “Golden Anniversary: Connecting Humanity Through Music”
  • 25th — August 9 to 13, 2021, Katowice, Poland — “Village voices in global harmony”
  • 24th — August 5 to 9, 2019, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia — “Embracing a New Era — Nurturing the Kodály Philosophy Around the World”
  • 23rd — August 8 to 13, 2017, Camrose, Canada — “Singing the circle — Kodály-inspired music education from birth to adult”
  • 22nd — August 3 to 7, 2015, Edinburgh, Scotland — “Singing, singing, singing — The core of musical expression”
  • 21st — July 29 to August 2, 2013, Kecskemét, Hungary — “Music and music education in the 21st century – global challenges”
  • 20th — July 5 to 9, 2011, Brisbane, Australia — “Shared Visions – Connecting with Kodály”
  • 19th — August 10 to 17, 2009, Katowice, Poland — “On Values of Music”
  • 18th — August 3 to 10, 2007, Columbus, Ohio, USA — “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing”
  • 17th — August 13 to 20, 2005, Leicester, Great Britain — “Kodály, the whole man, and his inspirational gift to the 21st century”
  • 16th — July 7 to 11, 2003, Newcastle, Australia — “Making Music Together”
  • 15th — August 6 to 11, 2001, Helsinki, Finland — “Kodály: The Human Voice and Instruments”
  • 14th — August 2 to 6, 1999, Zoltán Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music, Kecskemét, Hungary — “Survival and Revival of Kodály’s Heritage: Back to the Sources”
  • 13th — August 17 to 23, 1997, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines — “East Meets West Through Music: The Universality of Kodály”
  • 12th — August 16 to 22, 1995, Cittadella Cristiana, Assisi, Italy — “Music as Poetry — Kodály’s genius towards the future”
  • 11th — August 8 to 15, 1993, University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut, USA — “Partners in Artistry”
  • 10th — August 11 to 17, 1991, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada — “Toward Universal Music Literacy in the 21st Century”
  •  9th — August 14 to 20, 1989, Ethniki Estia Agion Anargyron, Athens, Greece — “Constant values in the changing world of education — the significance of Kodály’s philosophy”
  •  8th — August 2 to 7, 1987, Zoltán Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music, Kecskemét, Hungary — “Source and Vitality of Kodály’s Music and Educational Ideas”
  •  7th — July 17 to 22, 1985, Avery Hill College, London, United Kingdom — “Music in a Multi-cultural Society”
  •  6th — August 7 to 14, 1983, Rijksmuziekacademie, Antwerpen, Belgium — “Music, a universal language for all peoples and cultures”
  •  5th — August 2 to 8, 1981, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan — “Music for humanistic life and its education”
  •  4th — August 5 to 11, 1979, N.S.W. State Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia
  •  3rd — August 7 to 14, 1977, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada — “Music belongs to everyone”
  •  2nd — August 5 to 12, 1975, Zoltán Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music, Kecskemét, Hungary
  •  1st — August 1 to 15, 1973, Holy Names College, Oakland, California