From March 9–14, 2026, JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Vienna hosts the international Erasmus+ Intensive Programme “New Standards – 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers.” The project was initiated and artistically led by Monika Herzig, Vice-Rector of Diversity and Internationalization at JAM. Students from four partner institutions collaborate on jazz compositions by women, create their own interpretations, and showcase their work in a public concert on March 13. Masterclasses, workshops, film screenings, and jam sessions combine artistic practice with reflection and international exchange.
From March 9 to 14, 2026, the JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Vienna hosts the international Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “New Standards – 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers.”
A central component of the programme is its pedagogical dimension: participating students, as well as faculty members, actively contribute to Jazz Girls Day. All information about Jazz Girls Day can be found here: Information and registration for Jazz Girls Day.
This intensive week brings together students from four partner institutions: Saint Louis College of Music (Italy), Hochschule für Musik Saar (Germany), and Anderson University South Carolina School of the Arts (USA), alongside participants from Vienna.
The programme focuses on repertoire from Berklee’s “New Standards – 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers,” a landmark collection that expands and diversifies the contemporary jazz canon. Working in international combos, students rehearse, arrange, and interpret selected compositions, culminating in a public final concert.
The BIP combines artistic practice with critical reflection. In addition to daily rehearsals, the programme includes:
- Masterclasses in improvisation and rhythm section performance
- Ensemble coaching by renowned jazz mentors
- Workshops and film screenings
- Discussions on the historical, cultural, and social factors behind the underrepresentation of women in instrumental jazz
- Networking events and jam sessions
The highlight of the week will be the final concert on March 13, 2026, which will be live-streamed and recorded for the public. LINK Livestream
Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, this initiative underlines JAM MUSIC LAB’s commitment to international collaboration, artistic excellence, and greater inclusion in jazz education and performance.