After several preliminary conferences to identify common challenges, interests and goals, 4 European symphony orchestras joined forces in 2013 and designed a cooperation project, fitting the criteria of the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. Thanks to the Creative Europe co-funding, granted in 2014, the 4 orchestras were able to develop the European Orchestra LABoratory, in order to enlarge the societal relevance and the contribution to quality of life of (symphonic) classical music by (re)involvement and (re)engagement of lost and new audiences.
In a two year period (2014-2016) each orchestra created experimental events to attract specified non-traditional audiences by a specific approach. Knowledge, experiences and results were shared and exchanged. In this way, the EO-Lab significantly accelerated the learning and innovative capacity of each participating orchestra and the European symphonic sector as a whole.
Partners in the EO-LAB (2014-2016): The Netherlands Symphony Orchestra (based in Enschede), Odense Symfoniorkester and Tonkünstler Orchester Niederösterreich.
Associate partner: BBC Philharmonic.
Read more about the content and the results of the EO-LAB (2014-2016) project at: RESULTS
In the EO-LAB cooperation classical music production and dissemination formats are researched and shared. EO-LAB creates the opportunity for the partner orchestras to test new formats and collectively try new ways of reaching and engaging new audience.
EO-LAB is the central place for orchestras to share experiences and knowledge about audience and innovative business models, which in the long run influence the way orchestras plan, perform and learn.