Echoes in the Valley music festival is committed in creating a platform for the exchange of practices, experiences, research and philosophies on music education in Nepal.

This year’s conference will address various interfaces and interactions between stakeholders in the Kathmandu music education field. They provide their insights of the current situation with a special focus in the curriculum work that has taken place inside the institutions. The conference will explore the theoretical and practical implications of curriculum work through paying special attention to social awareness and social activism in diverse settings of music education. 

Through discussions on values, ethics as well as educational aims in music, this conference aims to bring together various stakeholders who are contributing to music education in Nepal through various educational efforts. The conference ends in a panel discussion of future vision for Nepali musicians both locally and globally.

This conference is being supported by British Council Nepal, Goethe-Zentrum Kathmandu and The Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki in partnership with Kathmandu University Department Of music, NEPAL MUSIC CENTER, Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, Srijanalaya and Nepal Chamber of Commerce - NCC, Chamber Bhawan, Kantipath.

10:30 AM – 11 AM – Registration and tea/coffee

11 AM – 11:15 AM – Opening remark by Vilma Timonen, The Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki

PANEL 1 : MUSIC EDUCATION  – PEDAGOGY AND CURRICULUM

Chair: Kushal Karki

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM – Representative from Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Nepal, Curriculum Development Center

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM – ‘Curriculum at Nepal Music Center’ by Iman Shah, NEPAL MUSIC CENTER

11:45 AM – 12 PM – British Council Nepal World Voice Project by Pradeep Bomjan

12 PM – 12:15 PM – ‘Curriculum at Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory’ by Abhisek Bhadra, Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM – Keynote ‘What does a curriculum tell about our values and visions?’ by Prof. Heidi Partti, The Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM – Q&A session with all the presenters

1:15 PM – 2 PM – Lunch with music

ROUND TABLE – MUSIC EDUCATION AND ISSUES ON ACCESSIBILITY

Chair: Sharareh Bajracharya, Srijanalaya

2 PM – 3 PM – Panelists: Sugam Deshar, Prem Gurung, Kushal Karki, Robin Dangol, Abhaya Shrestha, Shreeti Pradhan and Pushpa Palanchoke

3 PM – 3:20 PM – Hi-Tea with music

PANEL 3 : FUTURE VISION

Chair: Vilma Timonen

3:20 PM – 3:35 PM – ‘Future vision for music education in Nepal‘ by Lochan Rijal, Kathmandu University Department Of music

3:35 PM – 3:50 PM – ‘Future vision for music education in Nepal‘ by Lochan Rijal, Kathmandu University Department Of music

3:50 PM – 4:20 PM – ‘Access and visibility of Nepali musicians on the world music scene’ by Simon Broughton, Songlines

4:20 PM – 4:55 PM – Panel discussion ‘Future vision for Nepali Music and Music Education’ including all the presenters.

4:55 PM – 5 PM – Closing remark by Rizu Tuladhar, festival co-founder, Echoes in the Valley

HERITAGE WALK

9 AM & 10:30 AM | KAMALACHI

Experience old Kathmandu through oral stories of heritage and spaces that have changed over time and especially after the 2015 earthquake. Organized by Impact Productions.

BAJĀN STALL (18+ only)

10 AM - 6 PM | KAMALACHI

Take a puff from the traditional bajān, Newari style hookah. Annapurna Club (RCT) sure has swag!

CALLIJATRA

10 AM - 12 PM / 2 PM - 5 PM | NASA BHAJAN SATAH

Every wondered what your name looks like in Ranjana lipi? Try it out.

FUZZSCAPE SHOWCASE

10 AM - 6 PM | TACHHEN BAHAL

Journey with FUZZCAPE to Bhojpur, Janakpur and Manang where they create original songs with local musicians using traditional, modern and found sounds.

POTTERY WORKSHOP

10 AM - 5 PM | BHYACHA DYA CHOWK 

Get your hands dirty! Learn how to mould clay from potters who've been doing this for generations.

RANJANA LIPI WORKSHOP

12 PM | DAGU BAHA

Teach yourself the art of calligraphy, learn a new skill. Made possible by 

Nepal Lipi Guthi.

UDAAYA MUSEUM

10 AM ONWARD

Visit this cosy museum to immerse yourself in the histories, costumes and lifestyles of the Udaayas (Tuladhar, Kansakar, Sikhakar, Baniya, Sindurakar, Silakar and Selalik).

KNITTING WORKSHOP

10 AM ONWARD | BHOTAHITI

Although it’s spring time, it’s never too early to knit yourself something warm for next winter. Ask Saru 9860075448

KIDS & FAMILY ACTIVITIES

SAFU BWONE WA! (COME READ BOOKS)

10 AM - 5 PM | PILATUN CHOWK, KAMALACHI

From ants to lightning bugs to monkeys and monsters! Come get lost in the world that Durga Lal Shrestha creates. Readings, games, activities for kids and families organized by SAFU/Quixote’s Cove: the bookshop.

ART WORKSHOP

10 AM - 1 PM/3 PM - 5 PM | PALTAN CHHEN COURTYARD 2

How do you make a painting using thread, marbles and balloons? Come make abstract art.

MAGIC SHOW: CAN WE CHANGE?

11 AM | DAGU BAHA

Don’t miss Swiss magician, Meddeb Hichem’s magic show with music! Find out what kinds of tricks he has

up his sleeves. 

CIRCUS

1 PM | PALTAN CHHEN COURTYARD 2

Who needs wings that you can join Circus Kathmandu for a host of acrobatic performances?

FOSSICK PROJECT

2 PM | DAGU BAHA

Join artist duo from Italy to make music and analog animation. Kids will learn about endangered animals and play with images and sound.

CHILDREN'S MUSIC WORKSHOP

3:30 PM | PALTAN CHHEN COURTYARD 1

Did you know that our bodies are readymade musical instruments? Join Laya’le Shikchya to learn how to create musical beats by using various body parts.

10:15 AM | KAMALACHI/BHOTAHITI/INDRA CHOWK – Procession by musicians from Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Lalitpur

10:30 AM | ASON – Opening Ceremony

11:00 AM | JANA BAHA DABU – Kutumba feat. Anup Khadgi

11:30 AM | BALKUMARI SATAH – Chyabrung ensemble

JANA BAHA – Bhajan (Devotional songs)

11:45 PM | ASON – Word Warriors followed by Kauda performers

12:15 PM | BHOTAHITI – KU ensemble

12:45 PM | KAMALACHI – Jhakri

1:15 PM | BALKUMARI SATAH – Kamalachi Naya Khin Baja: Khala

1:30 PM | JANA BAHA DABU – Jhuma Limbu

2 PM | ASON – Mazzika (Egypt/Nepal)

2:30 PM | BHOTAHITI – Trucātma collective (Spain/Nepal)

3 PM | KAMALACHI – Panchamrit

3:30 PM | ASON – KJC folk choir (Spain/Nepal)

4 PM | BALKUMARI SATAH – Kathmandu Naykhin Baja Pucha

4 PM | BHOTAHITI – Sitar Boy

4 PM | PILATUN DAPHA SATAH – Dapha (Devotional music)

4:15 PM | JANA BAHA DABU – Uḍumbara

4:30 PM | KAMALACHI – Project Sarangi

4:45 PM | ASON – Hyolmo ensemble

5 PM | NASA BHAJAN SATAH – Bhajan (Devotional songs)

5:15 PM | BHOTAHITI – Phatcowlee

5:45 PM | JANA BAHA – Alpine Dweller (Austria) / KDD

6:30 PM | ASON – Night feat. Karna Raj Giri

7 PM | DAGU BAHA – Rabin Lal Shrestha & Mohan Sundar Shrestha