Echoes of Erasmus: Collaboratively Creating Music in Response to International Experiences

In 2023, a project from the Department of Creative, Arts, Media and Music at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) was selected as part of a national programme of events marking Ireland’s 50 years of EU membership. The project showcased our collaboration with fellow European Erasmus educational partners through music composition and performance. This paper critically reflects on the project, examining in particular approaches to composition and music production. Focusing on three compositions by Daithí Kearney, which were arranged in collaboration with other participants, the paper demonstrates the benefits of international collaboration for developing musical ideas. The initial compositions are inspired by Irish traditional music, travel and the experiences of Norwegian traditional music. The initial workshopping of the pieces led to a live performance, which was subsequently followed by a recording led by music producer Frode Hammersland. The influence of other artists interpreting these works, underlines the double transculturality in the artistic process, leading to new forms of musical expression. The paper presents an autoethnographic reflection by both composer and producer, critically reflecting on the process and resulting recordings.