SONG HACKATHON AT THE SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER "AKROPOLE RIGA"
THE THIRD SONG HACKATHON HAS SUCCESSFULLY TAKEN PLACE AT THE SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER "AKROPOLE RIGA"
On June 7th, the third Song Hackathon took place at the shopping and entertainment center “AKROPOLE Rīga”, where students from all over Latvia, together with mentors, created original songs using digital music technologies. During the day, eight song sketches were created, which were evaluated by the jury – Agnese Rakovska, rolands če and Kristaps Blumbergs.
In addition to creative work, young people participated in discussions about the music industry and tried out interactive technologies.
Congratulations to V. Plūdoņas Kuldīga Secondary School for winning first place, Sigulda 1.
elementary school with second place and Riga Waldorf School with third place. Druva Secondary School received a special award for its particularly creative approach for the musical interpretation in sound design for fragments from the movie "FLOW".
We would also like to thank Tukuma Raina Gymnasium, Liepāja Raina Secondary School, Kuldīga Center Secondary School and Cesvaine Secondary School – for their creative energy and participation in Song Hackathon 2025!
The “Song Hackathon” is becoming an increasingly important event in school music education, proving that innovation and creativity in Latvian schools can achieve professional
level. See you next year!
SONG HACKATHON
WHEN?
June 7, 2025 11:00 - 17:00
WHERE?
Acropolis Riga, Latgales Street 257, Riga, LV-1019, Latvia
To maximize the benefits of technology and minimize its drawbacks, educators and policymakers should follow research-based strategies
( Sania Green-Reynolds MSEd., B.Ed., Dip.Ed.)
Purposeful integration: Align digital tools with clear learning objectives to promote engagement and understanding.
Professional development: Invest in ongoing teacher training so that educational technology complements pedagogy, not replaces it.
Balanced approach: Combine traditional teaching methods with digital resources to meet diverse learning needs.
Continuous assessment: Regularly analyze the impact of technology on student achievement and make adjustments, if necessary, to optimize the learning process.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR MUSIC AND EDUCATION EXPERTS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL ERASMUS+ PROJECT!
We invite experts to apply for participation in the Erasmus+ project "NEW EUROPEAN MUSIC TEACHER", which is being implemented from November 15, 2024 to November 14, 2027. We are looking for experienced music and education experts from Latvia who will help develop a study on music education at the non-professional general education level.
Who can apply?
✓ Music teachers with at least 5 years of experience
✓ Educational experts with experience in music, pedagogy or education
✓ University lecturers in the field of music, pedagogy or educational sciences
✓ Music industry NGO representatives
✓ Music experts with experience in the music industry
📅 Application deadline: 14.03.2025
📩 To apply, fill out the application form and attach your CV.
IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE GENERAL EDUCATION SYSTEM
In October 2024, SIA "Zvaigznāja komanda" began implementing the project "Implementation of digital technologies in the general education system" funded by the European Social Fund Plus (hereinafter - ESF+), ESF+ project "Support for social entrepreneurship", identification No. 4.3.3.3/1/24/I/001. Grant agreement No. 261896/SU2 0008.
SIA "Zvaigznāja komanda" undertakes to provide a learning process for music teachers working with grades 7-12 in specially adapted premises and within the framework of a specially created methodological course, for a period of 36 hours, making digital music recording station technologies available to every student of the "Zvaigznāja klase" project school.
The total amount of eligible costs of the business project is EUR 89,010.68, excluding VAT.
USE THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE SCHOOL BAG PROGRAM AND DISCOVER THE POSSIBILITIES OF USING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN MUSIC
The goal of the class is to show how the values of classical music can be used through the prism of modern digital technologies, creating new and unique works.
The class is based on a method developed by Agnese Rakovska, which combines musical traditions with the latest technologies. The master class is led by mentors who, together with Agnese, practice this method and share their experience of how technology is changing the music industry and helping to create new sounds and compositions. Students are introduced to concepts such as digital workstation components – DAW, sound card and MIDI controller, as well as practically try out music creation using the works of the classics mentioned in the school program.
The lesson introduces students to the world of modern music creation using digital technology. During the lesson, students will participate in an experiment using audio effects and synthesizers, as well as learn about creating digital sheet music.
THE SONG HACKATHON IN JĒKABPILS
MASTERCLASS AT VILJANDI CULTURE ACADEMY
On October 3, 2024, within the Estonian, Spanish and Irish project "Digital skills for music teachers", the Constellation class gave a masterclass on the project and the possibilities of using technology in music lessons.
Photo: Maritta Anton
WELCOME TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR!
We are very happy to start the new school year together, we heartily congratulate all the teachers and wish them great endurance. We especially welcome the start of a powerful campaign by the Constellation class teachers. Thanks to Zaiga Brutāne and Marta Cimdiņa, students of the Art Academy of Latvia, for the costumes. Thanks also to Joanna Strēle for the makeup transformation.
The Constellation team is ready to start the new educational work on the development of methodological material for the 8th grade and teacher training.
Music is the coolest subject in school!
CURRENT EVENTS
PROGRAM "TECHNOLOGIES OF MUSIC EDUCATION" FOR THE 9TH CLASS
The project on the development of a model program "MUSIC EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY for the 9th grade" has ended. The project was implemented with funding received in the competition of the LaIPA Educational and Cultural Support Fund for the promotion of education and sustainability of the industry. Digital workstations have already been implemented in six Latvian schools and the methodological material in Latvian is available in PDF format for work in music lessons.
We invite teachers to participate in the DEVELOPMENT OF METHODOLOGICAL MATERIAL OF THE PROGRAM
"MUSIC EDUCATION TECHNOLOGIES" for the 8th grade
The project is managed by "Constellation team" - a social enterprise that manages various educational and entertainment projects, founded by Agnese Rozniece, known to the public as Rakovska - a singer and songwriter with 15 years of experience in the music industry.
The purpose of the project: to create methodological material for the content of the 8th grade in the general education school program and organize training for teachers. The project will allow the 8th-grade students to get acquainted with digital music technologies, thereby deepening their interest in music, as well as allowing them to get acquainted with the skills and knowledge necessary for creative industries, which can be useful when choosing a future career. The teacher receives a scholarship and learns new skills in a specially prepared course of 20 hours. The teacher also receives a scholarship and creates the content of the methodological material.
FIRST SONG HACKATHON
On May 12, 2024, four Constellation Class schools met in Sigulda, Devon and created song sketches together with their mentors. In the discussion panel, Agnese together with Jaunmārupe music teacher Baiba Rudzīte, music producer Armandas Varslavāns, Mans Robots representative Vitolds Jānis and Jānis Aleksejevs from Roboskola.lv discussed the importance of the subject of music and how to create an environment that motivates students to become music educators or join the music industry. After listening to the songs, the collaboration of Druva Secondary School and mentor Paula Dundere was recognized as the winner song of the hackathon.
FIRST SONGS HACKATHON IN LATVIA
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ONLY SCHOOLS THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE CONSTELLATION CLASS METHOD CAN PARTICIPATE
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ARRIVAL 12 MAY 11.00 SIGULDAS DEVON
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EVENT TIME 12.00-16.00
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HACKATHON IS REPRESENTED BY ONE TEAM FROM EACH SCHOOL, CONSISTING OF 5 STUDENTS AND ONE TEACHER
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30 NINTH GRADE STUDENTS ARE DRIVING TO SUPPORT THE TEAM
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EACH SCHOOL PARTICIPATES AND COMES TO THE HACKATHON WITH ITS RECORDING STATION
CONSTELLATION CLASS AT TALLINN MUSIC WEEK 2024
The Constellation Class project was also among Tallinn Music Week 2024 participants. During the master class and discussion, the project was presented internationally for the first time, giving an insight into what has been done in Latvia so far and why the introduction of digital technologies in schools is an important step for the sustainability and expansion of the music industry.
THE FIRST CONSTELLATION CLASS DIGITAL MUSIC STATION IN LATVIA OPENED AT SIGULDA MIDDLE SCHOOL No.1
On Tuesday, December 6, the first digital workstation of the "Constellation Class" was officially opened in the music room at Elementary School No.1 in Sigulda. It is the initiative of the musician Agnes Rakovska, which aims to modernize and digitize music lessons in the general education system, where the emphasis is on the practical activities of students.
Evija Rozena, the music teacher of Elementary School No.1 in Sigulda, is convinced that the introduction of a digital station in music lessons will make them more interesting, creative, and modern. In the future, students will have the opportunity to be more actively involved in the work of the lesson, getting an insight into the world of the modern music industry. Children will be able to create their own music, gain the first skills in the profession of a music producer, and discover new talents in themselves. This will be the first big step for a modern music lesson and a new milestone in music pedagogy at Elementary School No.1 in Sigulda.
The active involvement of parents of students was also merit in the implementation of the project in Sigulda. One such parent is Jolanta Lebedok, who actively promoted the introduction of the "Constellation Class" in Elementary School No.1 in Sigulda. She says: "I am pleased that together with the supporters of the first digital station, the stores "RDA and "ELVI", we managed to complete the workstation of the "Constellation Class" project, as a result of which the students of the senior classes of Elementary School No.1 in Sigulda will be offered a unique and modern method of learning music . I believe that students who have not been attracted to music so far will now be more interested in music and in the future will discover unknown, creative expressions in the field of music.
AGNES RAKOVSKA VISITS JURMALA
Agnese Rakovska works as a teacher and introduces changes in the public education system in Latvia.
On November 22, 2022, the project "Constellation Class" created by musician Agnese Rakovska was launched - a new teaching method for music lessons, which will be introduced in public education schools in Latvia.
Rakovska, together with her music platform's "Constellation" team, has created a new and exciting project "Constellation Class", which is planned to be integrated into the public educational program, offering a new teaching method in the existing music lessons.
At the moment it is a pilot project, but the goal is to introduce this program in at least twenty schools in the next school year, to create new methodical material, to improve the technical base of schools. Agnese Rakovska believes that music lessons should be focused on practical activities and tasks that promote the creativity and interest of each student in music, thus raising a generation that can compete in the demanding labor market and create products with high added value. Agnese's experience and education are of great importance in the creation of the methodology, which allows us to create a completely new concept and solve educational issues in a modern and timely manner. Currently, the project already has more than 15 partners.
The first activity and the opening of the project took place on Tuesday, November 22, at the Jurmala State Gymnasium. At the opening, it was possible to meet and see Rakovska herself in the role of a teacher and find out why this project is so important for the entire Latvian education system, as well as get to know the cooperation partners of the project - Rūta Kanteruka, head of the Latvian Music Teachers' Association, as well as see how the school principal is involved in the project Ieva Taranda and, of course, the students.
"The school is a living organism. The main task of any educational institution is to create a motivating learning environment for students. To learn to write poetry, we learn the alphabet. To dance contemporary dance, we learn to stand on pointe. To paint like Picasso, we learn academic knowledge. In music lessons, we create music and play classics such as Chuck and Bach melodies. "Constellation Class" is an excellent platform for the discovery of students' inner talents. We are happy that our children experienced this and will continue to learn," says Taranda.
"A very welcome initiative! The development of technology has undoubtedly affected every field, including music, and it is only logical to introduce the opportunities offered by these technologies into the educational process, thereby enriching it and creating opportunities to involve those students who, perhaps, for various reasons, are not so attracted to music in the classroom. I believe that by offering such activities in music lessons, teenagers, being active users of technology daily, will see more opportunities for creative expression in the field of music production," reveals Kanteruka.
As Rakovska says: "This will be a new standard that in time we will introduce in all schools in Latvia. The ice has moved - already in December, the first group of teachers will be trained to work with the new method, so together with Jurmala, we want to show it to the wider public and invite other schools and teachers to get involved."
It is possible to apply for participation in the program by your school, as well as for music teachers, it is possible to apply for specially created training.
