Music and Cultural Heritage

Music as a cultural phenomenon emerges, develops, and is passed on within the dynamic interplay of social and historical influences.

n our research, we focus on intangible cultural heritage in the form of musical practices, performances, knowledge, and skills, as well as on tangible cultural heritage such as musical instruments and physical legacies. At the core of our work lies the history and contemporary relevance of musical traditions in Switzerland – particularly wind and folk music, as well as specialized knowledge in instrument making.

Current challenges of digitalisation and social change for the preservation and further development of musical heritage are the focus of our competences. Musical phenomena are not viewed in isolation but are examined and valued within their regional economic, ecological, and social contexts. Our mission is to create sustainable value for society through innovative solutions in a dynamic field and to actively help shape the future as a source of ideas and a pioneer. 

Core competences

  • Basic resarch on the musical heritage of Switzerland and the Alpine region, including its international contexts 
  • Methods for safeguarding and preserving musical heritage, including research-driven digitization and archiving 
  • Services for the valorisation and dissemination of musical cultural assets 
  • Development of programs for the sustainable promotion and education of music within society 

Ongoing projects

2 Projects

Completed Projects

Contact

Feel free to get in touch with us! We will be happy to inform you about other projects in this field of research and answer any questions you might have.

Bern Academy of the Arts HKB
Research
Institute Interpretation
Operational assistance: Reto Witschi
Fellerstrasse 11
CH-3027 Bern