ZAM

Over a number of years, ZAM brought established musicians into contact with local ensembles and committed individuals across Austria through joint musical performances, inspiring discussions and creative workshops.

The tour took the performers from Lower Austria through Upper Austria and Carinthia to Vorarlberg and back to Vienna, where the conclusion of this special project will be celebrated on 29 May 2026 in the »Großer Saal« of the Wiener Konzerthaus. Performing on stage will be Thomas Gansch with his project Alpen & Glühen, Federspiel, and Vivi Vassileva & her band, together with the music societies, choirs and ensembles that took part in the project – from the Langwies Fire Brigade Band to the Carinthian Madrigal Choir of Klagenfurt.

These local encounters have given rise to a shared musical journey, the full diversity and uniqueness of which will once again be showcased at the grand ZAM closing gala.

The idea behind »ZAM« grew out of a simple observation: making music together and cultural interaction are becoming increasingly rare – within families, in clubs, in educational institutions and in public spaces. At the same time, it became apparent in both personal and professional circles that dialogue, listening and collaborative creativity have lost their significance.

A series of discussions between Martin Grubinger (percussionist), Werner Bachstein (Porticus Foundation) and Matthias Naske (Artistic Director of the Wiener Konzerthaus) raised the question of how music can be used to create more spaces where people can come together and work on something together, regardless of their background or views. After all, music works without lengthy explanations, thrives on collaboration and turns differences into something productive.

»ZAM« was therefore conceived as a project that focuses on togetherness, listening to one another and the shared experience of an artistic endeavour. With music serving as the connecting element between generations, communities and musical worlds. And the Wiener Konzerthaus as the starting point from which these encounters have spread throughout the country.

The first evening was all about dialogue. A public discussion brought together professional musicians, local council representatives, members of local clubs and members of the public.

The focus was on music and its place in everyday life, on personal journeys, and on the challenges and opportunities of cultural work in rural areas. Between the discussions, there were already some initial shared musical moments, which allowed everyone to get to know one another beyond words.
An open start that set the tone for the days ahead: respectful, curious and on equal terms.

As the project progressed, the focus shifted increasingly towards making music together. During visits by the professional musicians to local schools, the pupils were able not only to listen to music, but also to actively try it out for themselves, experiment with it, experience it and develop an understanding of how music is created and how its different elements interact.

During a variety of afternoon workshops, anyone interested was invited to join in and, at their leisure, explore and hone their musical talents together with others.

The final day brought everything together. During intensive rehearsals, the professional musicians worked alongside the local ensembles on a concert programme that brought both sides together.

The final concert proved to be the highlight of the visit: an evening where encounters gave rise to music – and music fostered a sense of community. For many of those involved, it was a moment that lingered long afterwards.

Over the course of several years, the project visited various regions of Austria – each stop with its own musical identity, its own people and stories. The result was a rich mosaic of sounds and experiences – underpinned by the shared belief that music arises wherever people connect with one another.

Ebensee

• Vivi Vassileva
• Langwies Fire Brigade Band

Kolping House Vienna-Favoriten

• Thomas Gansch and his »Schlager Therapy«

Langen near Bregenz

• Musicians from Federspiel
• Evelyn Fink-Mennel
• Langen bei Bregenz Music Society

St. Valentin

• Thomas Gansch with »Alpen & Glühen«
• Chord Ad Libitum

Krumpendorf on Lake Wörthersee

• Thomas Gansch with »Alpen & Glühen«
• Carinthian Madrigal Choir, Klagenfurt

Randegg

• Musicians from Federspiel
• Randegg Music Society

In addition to the ZAM activities in Ebensee in April 2024, large-format portrait photographs of people from Ebensee were displayed on the façade of the town hall as part of an international, participatory photography project by Inside Out entitled »ZAM – I am the people of Ebensee«, in the spirit of intergenerational dialogue.

The Inside Out project, founded by the French artist JR, is a global participatory art project that aims to change the world through art. The platform is designed to help people around the world express meaningful messages through art in public spaces. Everyone should be given the opportunity to create an »action« on a theme anywhere in the world. Participants share their messages by displaying large-format black-and-white portraits of members of their community in public spaces. The Inside Out project »ZAM – I am the people of Ebensee« focused on the importance of music and community.

This project has shown that outreach is particularly effective when it fosters a sense of connection – between the stage and the audience, between town and country, between experience and curiosity.

The closing gala marks the culmination of the project and showcases the work created in each of the ZAM locations. Every piece, every ensemble and every sound of the evening stems from the collaborative work carried out on site.

For the finale, all participants from the various projects will come together on one big stage for the first time. Rather than standing side by side, they will stand together, offering a glimpse of what has grown through working, listening and making music together.

The evening is characterised by reunions, shared celebrations and attentive listening – and invites the audience to relive this special journey.