In the first month of 2023, two-year project „Integration of the Voss model for the development of cultural accessibility and strengthening of cultural education in Panevėžys region“ activities, implemented by Panevėžys district municipality administration together with partners – Panevėžys district Naujamiestis Cultural center–Art Gallery and Voss Cultural School from Norway, has ended.
 

Fifteen participants of the 1st project stage, who became mentors themselves, invited two new young musicians from various fields to the 2nd project stage each, who wanted to test their strength as future managers or conductors of musical art groups. Led by three Voss model experts from Norway – Oddvar Nøstdal, Bjørn Breistein and Russell Gray, musicians created two concert programs intensively participating in a cycles of live and remote training.
 

The experts shared their knowledge in the specifics of analyzing musical pieces, conducting and rehearsals techniques, concert management, non-verbal communication, forming the mentality of a musical ensemble, improving ensemble skills and other areas. Particular attention was paid to the improvement of the qualities that a good leader of a musical art group must have, breathing techniques, the participants performed assigned tasks, filmed and analyzed them together with the experts. Individual consultations were specially focused on the personal development of each participant, helping him to reveal and release his unique musicality and managerial abilities.
 

During contact activities, there were intensive rehearsals of the concert program’s pieces, observation of other participants’ conducting and development of the ability to analyze one's own work. At the same time, the young musicians also improved – technique that was used during rehearsals contributed to increasing of team's productivity and development of the community sense in a musical ensemble.
 

Seeking to provide people living in the region high-level cultural services, the project participants raised their competences by deepening an experience with Lithuanian experts in the fields of communication of leaders' emotional needs, digital marketing, learned to read musical scores, work with computer music programs, organize professional concerts and events, got acquainted with the costumes of Baltic tribes, their reconstruction and wearing.
 

Created concert programs were presented to the general public at Berčiūnai Lithuanian Martyrs' Church, Pasvalys cultural center, Ramygala cultural center, Biržai castle palace and Panevėžys city Art gallery. Conducted by the project participants, programs featured pieces by Lithuanian, Scandinavian and European composers. Panevėžys district Šilagalys, Miežiškiai and Ramygala cultural centers, Pasvalys cultural center with Pajiešmeniai branch, Berčiūnai Lithuanian Martyrs' Church, Biržai region museum „Sėla“, Biržai district municipality Jurgis Bielinis public library, Panevėžys city Art gallery and specialists from Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater actively contributed to the implementation of these concert programs.
 

As the Voss model experts say, joint project activities create the future of Lithuanian music ensembles, raise the level of existing leaders and discover new, ambitious musical talents. Project manager Remigijus Vilys, Chief specialist of Education, culture and sports department of Panevėžys district municipality administration, hopes that intense and multifaceted tasks of the project encouraged participants to create such a microclimate that would not only motivate musicians to accept creative challenges, but also create an open, supportive and caring environment for themselves and members of musical art groups.
 

Project partners firmly agreed to look for opportunities to continue established productive cultural relations between two countries, developing the continuity of project activities, trying to deepen acquired experience and create new creative products.
 

This project was implemented under the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014–2021 Programme „Culture“. The EEA and Norway Grants are funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The Grants have two goals – to contribute to a more equal Europe, both socially and economically – and to strengthen the relations between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and the 15 beneficiary countries in Central and South-Eastern Europe and the Baltic States.

Information prepared by Miglė Bražėnienė, Head of the Investment and Foreign Relations Division of Panevėžys District Municipality Administration.