From 2 to 5 October 2025, the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome will host the first international workshop dedicated to wind orchestras, titled “Operational Capacity and Institutional Framework of Wind Orchestras”. This event marks the beginning of the good practice exchange and expert mobility phase within the EU-CODE – European Co-Creation in Diversity project, funded by the Creative Europe programme and led by the Rome Conservatory in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Madrid, the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Budapest, and the ACe20 agency from Orte.

This workshop is the first in a series of events that the EU-CODE project will organise over the next two years, including both thematic workshops and specialised seminars. The programme will feature meetings dedicated to various topics, such as body percussion, audience engagement, inclusion and diversity in musical contexts, and sustainability in music festivals.

The focus of this first meeting in Rome will be on the organisational and strategic challenges facing wind orchestras. The sessions will specifically address governance models and strategies for economic sustainability, a crucial topic in the contemporary European cultural landscape. Significant attention will also be given to opportunities for transnational collaboration and artist mobility programmes, elements increasingly vital for the professional development of musicians.

A special session of the workshop will explore audience development strategies, focusing on expanding audiences and inclusive practices. Particular attention will be paid to the role of digital transformation as a tool for enhancing the musical heritage of wind orchestras and reaching new audiences through innovative channels.

In addition to the working sessions, the programme includes public musical performances with concerts by civilian and military bands, as part of the Roma Festival Band 2025 schedule, offering a concrete demonstration of the diverse operational realities in the sector.

This first event represents a fundamental opportunity to chart new development paths for wind orchestras, combining musical tradition with management innovation. The Rome meeting marks the starting point for creating a stable European collaboration network, contributing to strengthening the role of wind orchestras in the continental cultural landscape through structured and continuous dialogue.