The main goal of the project was to enable the targeted groups to develop a new perspective on performance events and audience engagement. MUSense sought to go beyond using digital technologies as mere communication tools, instead demonstrating how their integration reshaped the musical experience and transformed traditional aesthetics (Technology and Music Performance in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, Frederickson 1989). Through MUSense, we aimed to foster a profound shift in mindset among key actors in higher music education—students, teachers, staff, and institutional leaders—empowering them to actively influence and reshape the long-established chain of artistic expression. One of the core objectives was to encourage teachers, staff, and students to reconsider their roles in engaging with a remote or broader audience, incorporating this shift into both their curricula and artistic performances. This approach fundamentally redefined the relationship between skills, performance, and audience interaction. Ultimately, MUSense established a lasting and dynamic connection between artistic skills and cyber performance, positioning this interaction as a cornerstone for the future of digital creativity.
Music graduates faced significant challenges in redefining their role within society and the job market. The impact of COVID-19 on young students in higher education institutions (HEIs) specializing in classical music was profound yet often overlooked. This crisis led to a “lost generation” of artists who were excluded from the traditional performance circuit (Coronavirus consequences for the cultural sector, EU Parliamentary Research Service, 2020). Within a short period, both HEIs and the broader music and arts sectors had to rapidly adapt, compelling music students to rethink their skills and explore new performance models (The Future of ICT for Creativity and Creative Industries, European Commission, 2021). MUSense addressed this urgent need by equipping higher education music institutions with the tools to embrace digital transformation. The project fostered innovative teaching and learning approaches that supported the development of new performance practices while maximizing the potential of digital media.