Sharing music is sharing a relationship

The coordinator of the upcoming World Music Day 2015 Joe Koster speaks about the highlights of the festival

World Music Day, a festival initiated in France, is now a worldwide celebration. Its idea is to bring music to streets, to make it accessible for everyone, as well as to encourage young bands and musicians to find their audience. World Music Day in Hyderabad is an annual festival which has grown over years from a small event at Alliance Française to the biggest music festival in the city bringing together musicians from India and abroad and reflecting the whole palette of music styles and genres.

World Music Day 2015 is scheduled to be held at Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, on June 20. Here is what Joe Koster, the coordinator of the festival, has to say about the festival being different from other music festivals, what one can expect from this edition of World Music Day and more.

How is World Music Day different from other festivals and music events in the city?

World Music Day is the most important musical event in the city because maintaining diversity is one among the main tasks of the event. We try to attract as many different musicians, as possible, who perform in all kinds of styles, besides promoting youngsters, not established professionals. Many of them are on stage for the first time, and every year we discover new talents.

Will this edition of World Music Day only have bands and groups?

We want to encourage team work and collaboration, which are extremely important in music and, unfortunately, often missing in Hyderabad. Music here is a huge business and sometimes music teachers see such events as a competition rather than an opportunity for their students to grow.

We are eager to attract more music students and music schools, because learning music is not just about getting good grades, but also learning to play together and cooperating, as well as learning from each other. At World Music Day young musicians get an excellent exposure. It is an opportunity for them to step into a different realm and try something new.

Sharing music is always sharing a relationship. We have got very positive feedback from parents, audience, as well as bands, some of which were formed during our previous auditions! I am happy to see that young performers find new friends, and establish new relationships which may play a crucial role in their future.

What can one expect at World Music Day 2015?

One can expect all kinds of musical genres and performers this year. Among others there is a string quartet, a school band, a professional band combining western rock and eastern tradition, and a students’ duo from Madagascar. We want our festival to reflect the cultural diversity of the region, including both local and foreign performers.

What plans to evolve the festival?

World Music Day in Hyderabad happens in the form of a concert, while the wonderful venue of Hyderabad Public School contributes to a pleasant atmosphere. In future we would like to make it more interactive, in keeping with the true spirit of the Word Music Day. It could perhaps also take place in several venues around the city – thus bringing more people together, both audience and performers.