WÜRZBURG/MUNICH: "With Alicia de Bánffy-Hall and Rabih Lahoud, Bavaria is gaining two exceptional minds who understand music as a language of humanity. They combine research, teaching and artistic excellence with social responsibility - this is precisely the spirit of our top professorships," said Minister of State Markus Blume on the occasion of their appointment. "The new Center for Community Music in Würzburg shows: Where people make music together, the future is created - across generations, social boundaries and cultures," Blume continued.

The University of Music Würzburg is setting a new accent in the field of artistic-pedagogical degree programs: As part of the Bavarian top professorship program, two internationally renowned personalities have been recruited to establish the Community Music focus at the University of Music Würzburg in the future. Community Music stands for musical projects that connect people from different backgrounds, generations or life situations by making music together and promoting social participation.

"With the new top professorships at the University of Music Würzburg, we are strengthening an area that combines artistic quality with a lively social impact. Community music stands for participation, cultural openness and creativity - it is precisely these values that make Bavaria's universities of the arts places of the future," emphasized Science Minister Markus Blume. "I would like to congratulate Professor de Bánffy-Hall and Professor Lahoud and wish them every success and inspiration for their work in Würzburg."

Prof. Dr. Alicia de Bánffy-Hall - Music as a social practice

Born in Munich, Alicia de Bánffy-Hall is considered one of the most important voices in the international community music movement. After studying in Liverpool and Manchester and completing her doctorate at the University of Music and Theater in Munich, she most recently taught "Music in Social Work" at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences. As Chair of the Community Music Activity Commission of the International Society for Music Education (ISME), she networks stakeholders worldwide.

In Würzburg, she will lead the development of the new Center for Community Music, where she will combine research, teaching and practice in a unique way. The aim is to strengthen music as a medium for social participation, inclusion and intercultural dialog.

"For me, community music means that music builds bridges - between people, lifeworlds and perspectives," says de Bánffy-Hall.
"In Würzburg, we want to create a center that has international appeal and makes the transformative power of music visible in all areas of society."

Prof. Rabih Lahoud - music as a language of understanding

The German-Lebanese musician, composer and educator Rabih Lahoud stands for artistic excellence and emotional depth.
He is the singer of the multi-award-winning band Masaa, winner of the WDR Jazz Prize, the German Jazz Prize and the German Record Critics' Award.

As a lecturer, he has taught at leading music academies - including Cologne, Dresden, Hamburg, Mannheim and Berlin - and is one of the most prominent voices of a new generation of music educators.

In Würzburg, Lahoud will act as the artistic head of the center. His work stands for transcultural music mediation, improvisational creativity and the conviction that music enables understanding where language reaches its limits.

"I believe in the power of music to connect people - regardless of origin, language or faith," says Rabih Lahoud.
"The University of Music Würzburg offers the perfect environment for this: artistic freedom, interdisciplinary openness and the opportunity to create something lasting."

New appeal for Würzburg and Bavaria

The new project as part of the top professorship program will create a unique focus at the University of Music Würzburg. The combination of academic expertise and artistic practice opens up new paths in the training of future music teachers.

With these two appointments, the Free State of Bavaria is strengthening the expansion of internationally visible centers of excellence at its universities of the arts.
The Center for Community Music at the University of Music Würzburg will act as a driving force in the future - in teaching, research and social dialog.

University President Prof. Dr. Christoph Wünsch: "These two appointments are a milestone for our university. Alicia de Bánffy-Hall and Rabih Lahoud combine science, art and social commitment at the highest level - a strong signal for the future of music education in Bavaria."

Background: Bavarian top professorship program

With the Bavarian Top Professorships Program (SPP) launched in 2019 as part of the Bavarian High-Tech Agenda, the Free State of Bavaria is specifically strengthening excellence in the arts, science and innovation. The funding enables universities to attract outstanding personalities from all over the world and sustainably expand strategic future fields.

At the art colleges, the SPP is designed as a guest professorship program for which the art colleges were able to apply. The concepts submitted were assessed by a panel of experts. The decision on the selection of the personalities to be appointed is made by the respective university.

Professor de Bánffy-Hall and Professor Lahoud introduce themselves in the video interview.

The Bavarian Top Professorships Program: Prof. Dr. Alicia de Bánffy-Hall
The Bavarian Top Professorships Program: Prof. Rabih Lahoud

Source: StMWK, Christian Betz, Press Officer, 089 2186 2766