The Symposium was held in Kecskemét, Hungary from 4 to 8 August, 2025. Parallel to the Symposium, the 34th International Kodály Seminar was held, whose participants could attend the afternoon programme of the symposium as well as join the jubilee choir on the second week of the seminar.

The primary draw was the 50th anniversary of both the IKS and the host, the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music. The Liszt Academy of Music also celebrated its 150th anniversary.

The symposium title: 50 Years of Excellence: Core Principles in Changing Contexts aimed to celebrate Kodály’s enduring influence and engage with how his ideas continue to evolve in contemporary global contexts. The themes: Core Principles as Applied in: Composition; Folk Music Research and Art Music; Performance; and Music Education were organised around the many aspects of Kodály’s lifework. To commemorate the many anniversaries in 2025, a Special Theme: Anniversaries were included. The days were organised according to these themes as well.

We received 136 abstracts and accepted 84 presentations with 95 presenters. We also invited 4 keynote speakers, and had a roundtable discussion with Lilla Gábor’s opening lecture, and 3 book launches with the jubilee publications for the IKS, the Hungarian edition of Olli Varonen’s monograph on the Colourstrings, and Anna Dalos’ booklet on Zoltán Kodály and Dance. Keynote speakers were: Hilda Mercedes Morán-Quiroz (Mexico), Balázs Fülei (Hungary), Márton Kerékfy (Hungary), Jerry L. Jaccard (USA). The programme included theoretical, historical and methodological topics, lively workshops and practical teaching. High-level music making was also important so a participant choir with daily rehearsals and two concerts were also added to the daily schedule led by Péter Erdei.

Altogether, 297 participants registered for the events from 39 countries.

The symposium brought together voices from a wide range of cultural and academic backgrounds. The balance between theoretical inquiry and practical application reflected Kodály’s holistic vision of music education. Additionally, the inclusion of historical analysis alongside contemporary case studies provided a well-rounded perspective on the evolution of the Kodály movement.

We also hoped to integrate the event into the local community: Vikár Forum member Zoltán Juhász gave an open presentation at the local Library on Hungarian shepherds’ musical traditions; and the Symposium Jubilee Choir formed from participants as well as local supportive members for the male section gave two concerts in collaboration with the Kecskemét Symphony Orchestra. The one at the Liszt Academy on 7th August was broadcast by the Hungarian Television later. The second concert was on the 8th August at the Hírös Agóra Concert Hall in Kecskemét. It was the final concert of the Kecskemét Kodály Summer Festival as well.

A less professional aspect of local integration was the liveliness of symposium participants walking across the main square (as locals remarked upon it), attending concerts, and boosting the business of local hotels, cafés and restaurants.

On behalf of the Organising Committee, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the IKS Board of Directors, as well as to all those who supported the event by offering scholarships, reviewing abstracts, and volunteering, and especially to the participants, who created such a wonderful sense of community and made this symposium truly memorable.

Dr. Zsuzsanna Polyák

Participants’ Countries of Origin