House of Europe International Songwriting Project: Embracing Roots in a Multicultural World – My Songwriting Journey

University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy will host the House of Europe project in Autumn 2026.

When the House of Europe venture started out eight years ago, much of the focus was on facing the turmoil the world had fallen into. At the time, it seemed building bridges across cultures had never been more urgent. And here we are, in 2026, when some of these crises have not subsided; some have taken a turn for the worse, and new challenges have emerged, many of them unforeseen.

The House of Europe brings together music students from six European Erasmus+ partner higher education institutions to share their stories, explore their artistic identities, and create music collaboratively in response to contemporary social and cultural challenges.

The project is not about political positioning or leverage but about fostering mutual understanding by addressing and challenging prejudices, opening up to other cultures, and embracing diversity on both a human and artistic level.

The House of Europe project began in 2018 as a series of intensive, week-long songwriting workshops across Europe. Between 2018 and 2020, it was implemented at four partner institutions: HKU Utrechts Conservatorium (the Netherlands), Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Helsinki, Finland), Leeds College of Music (UK), and Conservatorio di Musica „Luisa D’Annunzio“ (Pescara, Italy). During this phase, students focused on hands-on collaboration, exploring new musical ideas, and working closely with peers from different countries.

Since 2021, the project has developed into a blended format that combines in-person workshops with online collaboration and digital music production. This approach has allowed participants to work creatively across borders, making use of modern tools while still sharing live musical experiences. The House of Europe project also addresses sustainability-related challenges by blending distance learning and remote teamwork, utilizing digital music production and communication tools, with participatory songwriting workshops and live event production.

In its blended format, the upcoming House of Europe Viljandi will mark the 11th edition, continuing to bring together students and teachers from the participating partner institutions for cross-cultural learning and collaborative music creation.

PROJECT DETAILS

The project encourages interaction between higher education music students from across Europe and non-Western musicians who are immigrants residing in the host country. Through participatory workshops, participants collaborate on equal footing, creating new music in teams and performing live. In addition, the House of Europe functions as an international mobility programme for both students and teaching staff from the following participating institutions:

University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy (Viljandi, Estonia) — Host Institution
VMI – Vienna Music Institute (Vienna, Austria)
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Helsinki, Finland)
HKU Utrechts Conservatorium (Utrecht, the Netherlands)
Conservatorio di Musica „Luisa D’Annunzio“ (Pescara, Italy)
CS Música Creativa (Madrid, Spain)

The HoE project will consist of three periods.

The Online Course (OC) is open separately to all students from each participating institution (enrolment here). The application form is open until 14 September 2026.
https://survey.ut.ee/index.php/659965?lang=en

Online course dates and times: 25 September 2026; 2 October 2026; 9 October 2026; and 16 October 2026. 13:00–16:00 CET / 14:00–17:00 EET.

The course introduces creative teamwork, while also providing basic tools and methods in songwriting. It helps students communicate across cultural, musical and technological differences and reflect on their own artistic identity. Mental health topics are also discussed, and some practical tips are shared on how to take care of yourself in a fast-changing world.

25 September — „Basic Tools and Methods of Songwriting“
In this opening session, participants meet and get to know one another personally and professionally. You will receive essential methods, techniques and creative approaches for writing songs.
Teacher: Jere Laukkanen, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki

2 October — (Title and speaker of the session will be announced shortly)
9 October — (Title and speaker of the session will be announced shortly)
16 October — „How to Maintain Creative Freedom Under High Stress“ — Learn how to channel stress into productive musical creativity. (Viljandi Culture Academy)

As the course involves group work and is designed to be interactive, attendance at all sessions is required. Please only enrol if you meet that requirement. The online course (all four lectures plus some preparatory homework) carries the extent of 1 ECTS.

The Intensive Week (IW) at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy — Viljandi, Estonia (2 ECTS)
Dates: 26–30 October 2026 (Sunday, 25 October and Saturday, 31 October are the travel days)
Final Concert: Friday, 30 October 2026

Students and guest musicians work together for a week in small teams, writing and performing new songs they have created together.

During the Intensive Week in Viljandi, students and guest musicians collaborate in rehearsals, feedback discussions, shared meals and live music-making. These interactions foster mutual exchange of experiences, perspectives and artistic ideas, while students develop leadership, teamwork, creative problem-solving and musical competencies.

Three to four students from each institution will be selected for the Intensive Week, and they will have the opportunity to work with students from other partner schools and visiting guest musicians. Those who register for the IW must also participate in the online course and the post-production period. The Intensive Week is coached by teachers from the participating higher music education institutions.

The Intensive Week culminates in a public concert where all written songs will be performed by the participants. The concert will be live-streamed.

Students nominated for the Intensive Week will receive financial support through an Erasmus+ grant.

If you want to attend the Intensive Week, please contact your home institution for further information. Students nominated for the Intensive Week should also enrol in the online course. (Online course link here.)

The Post-Production Period (PPP) (2 ECTS) — For students who participated in the Intensive Week

Three online sessions. Dates: 6 November, 27 November and 18 December.

The Intensive Week will be followed by a remote post-production period in November–December 2026. This period aims to further develop the songs written during the Intensive Week. Three online sessions will allow House of Europe students to post-produce their original music together. During the PPP, students will be guided by a professional music producer from Estonia.

The working language of the project is English. However, participants in the Intensive Week are encouraged to write lyrics in their mother tongue as well. Students and guest musicians — whether from Europe or beyond — are encouraged to explore questions such as: What cultural perspective do I bring to the table? How can we connect artistically, musically and personally? What does „Our House of Europe“ mean to us?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the project, participants are expected to have developed and improved their skills in the following areas:

Digital and Intercultural Collaboration Competence; Multicultural Awareness and Knowledge

Communicate effectively across different digital platforms and technological tools.

Actively participate in discussions, workshops and collaborative activities.

Collaborate artistically and personally with peers, taking on leadership, supportive or specialised roles as needed.

Work effectively in teams, managing complexity, ambiguity and multiple perspectives with empathy, accountability and professionalism.

Re-evaluate their own perspectives when appropriate, practising courage, humility and openness.

Listen attentively and suspend judgements when encountering new or unfamiliar ideas.

Develop awareness of cultural diversity and gain knowledge about differences in European countries and their policies regarding migration.

Learn about other cultures and musical traditions from around the world through the exchange of sounds, stories and creative practices.

Establish and maintain productive connections with peers from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds, both virtually and in person.

Engage respectfully with individuals and groups, demonstrating sensitivity to diverse cultural and intercultural perspectives.

Musical and Artistic Development

Communicate musical ideas and visions productively, even when language, instruments and musical backgrounds differ.

Experience music as a universal form of communication that can foster empathy, healing and peace.

Develop songwriting skills, creating lyrics and music collaboratively and individually.

Explore the connection between sound and emotion.

Practise skills in the area of field recording, basic production and other creative technical skills.

Collaborate creatively, fostering empathy and understanding in the artistic work environment.

Previous projects have shown that the House of Europe is an excellent opportunity to meet new people, learn more about other cultures and increase your skills in writing music and teamwork. Students will gain experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, learning how to collaborate effectively while maintaining their own artistic voice.

Music is the language that unites us all! We look forward to seeing you in the online course — and, if you have been nominated for the Intensive Week in Viljandi, welcoming you to the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy in October 2026!

How to apply?

Online Course — application link here: https://survey.ut.ee/index.php/659965?lang=en

If you want to apply for the whole project (Online Course, Intensive Week, Post-Production Period), please contact your home institution for further information.

If you have any further questions about the House of Europe International Songwriting Project — Viljandi 2026, don't hesitate to contact the UT Viljandi Culture Academy office team:

Liina Tralla
[email protected]
HoE Project Coordinator & Programme Leader

Kristiana Hein
[email protected]
Erasmus+ Coordinator