VIETMUS Musichathon: a hands-on laboratory on digital tools and remote music performance

The VIETMUS Musichathon, an innovative laboratory event, took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 25 to 30 March, hosted by the National University of Arts Education (NUAE). The event focused on the practical application of digital tools in remote music performance and online training, bringing together representatives from six Vietnamese universities and four European institutions.

Participants included music teachers, digital experts, music and IT students, and creative industry stakeholders. The Musichathon provided an immersive learning experience aimed at enhancing digital and cyber capabilities in Higher Music Education in Vietnam.

As part of this transnational initiative, European project partners attending the event in Hanoi had the opportunity to experience Vietnamese culture firsthand. Beyond the training sessions, participants engaged with local traditions, music and arts, fostering cross-cultural understanding and strengthening collaboration between European and Vietnamese institutions.

An interactive and immersive lab

Running for six days, the Musichathon delivered intensive training sessions, exploring new methodologies and performance possibilities. Expert mentoring from European project partners helped participants develop key digital skills, enhancing their employability. Attendees gained hands-on experience in IT, augmented reality and cyber hardware, among other digital areas.

A key highlight was the "Music Start Cup", a platform for students to present and develop creative ideas in distance music performance and cyber collaboration. This initiative encouraged students to explore new approaches and showcased their potential to shape the future of digital music education and performance.

Programme overview

The Musichathon Lab sessions focused on key areas such as automation in digital workflows, online music education platforms, low-latency remote collaboration, artificial intelligence in music production and advanced sound sampling techniques. Led by specialists from the European partner institutions, these sessions explored practical applications for live performances, studio environments and interactive installations.

Automation task programming with Chataigne, by Nuno Cernadas (Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel)
Creation of an online platform and of distance training activities based on the MOODLE platform, by Payam Susanni and Yasin Ozarslan (Yaşar University)
Development of a low-delay platform for online music sessions, by Michelangelo Galeati (Conservatorio di Musica di Roma)
AI in music production and recording, by Giuseppe Vasapolli and Fabio Crescente (Conservatorio di Musica di Palermo)
Interactive workshop for sound and sampling, by Giuseppe Vasapolli and Fabio Crescente (Conservatorio di Musica di Palermo)
Sampling and sound synthesis with electric bass and other instruments, by Giuseppe Vasapolli and Fabio Crescente (Conservatorio di Musica di Palermo)

The VIETMUS Musichathon successfully brought together experts, educators and over 60 students in Hanoi (and 150 students joining online) to explore the intersection of music, technology and digital collaboration. Through hands-on training and knowledge exchange, participants gained valuable insights and practical skills to advance remote music performance and online education.

The event, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission within the framework of the VIETMUS project (VIETnam Music Universities Spurring, 2023-2025), not only strengthened international partnerships between Vietnamese and European institutions but also laid the groundwork for future innovations in digital music learning and collaboration.