Introduction

The „Gheorghe Dima" Music Academy came into being in 1919, part of a lively modernizing process involving the whole Romanian education system that was triggered by the exceptionally dynamic post-war reconstruction climate. The Academy's first rector, Gheorghe Dima, has set high quality standards - acquired during his studies in Germany - to the recently established institution. The European vocation and a cult for quality have been and still are - a constant all throughout the history of this institution that has succesively borne the name of Conservatorul de muzică şi artă dramatică, Academia de Muzică şi Artă Dramatică (since 1931) and Conservatorul de Muzică „Gh. Dima" (since 1950). As from 1990, the institution received its current name: Academia de Muzică "Gh. Dima".

Among our current and former professors we may name foremost personalities in the composition and performance domains, as well as standout Romanian musicologists - among whom two members of the Romanian Academy, the composers Sigismund Toduţă and Cornel Ţăranu. For the first time in Romania, doctoral studies within the musical field and the Musicology Ph. D. title were established at the Conservatory in Cluj in 1971, vividly advocated by Sigismund Toduţă. Therefore, many of the most esteemed musicians in the country - including Bucharest - have been awarded the Ph. D. title in Cluj.

Since 1992, when the „Gheorghe Dima" Music Academy Doctor Honoris Causa title was created, it has been accepted by some of the most prominent Romanian and international cultural personalities, such as the composers: Iannis Xenakis, György Kurtág, Krzysztof Penderecki, Pascal Bentoiu, Ştefan Niculescu and Tudor Jarda, the performers: Christoph Bossert, David Ohanesian, Lucia Stănescu, Virginia Zeani, Lya Hubic, Mariana Nicolesco, Dumitru Fărcaş, the conductors: Yehudi Menuhin and Erich Bergel, the musicologists Octavian Lazăr Cosma and Sebastian Barbu Bucur, the promoter Ioan Hollender -, all acclaimed personalities, once again vouching for our Academy's standing.

Our teaching staff provides highly valuable academic training for a very diverse range of musical specialties - composition, musicology, orchestra conducting, choir conducting, performance (instruments), music education, singing, choreography education, musical theatre directing and choreographic directing. The three main faculties of the Music Academy - the Faculty of Music Theory, the Faculty of Musical Performance, and the Faculty of Musical Theatre - are joined by the Continuous Education and Distance Learning Department, the Teaching Staff Education Department and the young Faculty of Music in Piatra Neamţ. The Music Academy's branched, yet balanced structure allows us to responde to the strictest and most varied contemporary educational demands.

The number of the Academy's partnerships with international higher education institution is constantly growing. Our students benefit from many masterclasses held by reputed guests, both from Romania and from abroad. Achievement is encouraged by frequent local, national or international composition or performance contests.
MediaMusica - our in-house publishing house - and two music and musicology journals - Lucrări de muzicologie and Intermezzo - are excellent means to express and promote scientific and journalistic activities, both for teaching staff, graduate and undergraduate students, regardless of specialty. A remarkable folklore research tradition is supported by specific ensembles that promote authenticity in preserving and capitalizing on traditional values.

An enthusiastic artistic season held at the Academy involves both professors, students, local ensembles and guests. Instrumental and choral ensembles within the Academy rejoice in national and international acclaim: Ars Nova, Collegium Musicum Academicum, Cappella Transsylvanica, Antifonia, Ansamblul de percuţie, as unquestionable and consistently appreciated ensembles. Our Academy continuously cultivates valuable partnerships with other cultural institutions in Cluj, such as the „Transilvania" State Philharmonic, the two operas, the Romanian „Mozart" Society and the foreign cultural centres in the city while also being actively involved in the staging of important cultural events, such as the Cluj „Musical Autumn" Festival and the „Mozart" Festival. Wether annualy or once in every two years, the Academy also promotes and organizes important national and international music events, among which the „Cluj Modern" Festival, the „Sigismund Toduţă" Contest and so on.

September 2009

prof. univ. dr. Adrian Pop
Rector of the "Gheorghe Dima" Music Academy
Cluj-Napoca