Beáta Schanda, art manager, former president of the European Music Council, has died.
Beáta Schanda studied at the Bessenyei György Teachers Training College from 1975 majoring in library science, singing and music. Between 2002 and 2005, she was a student of the University of Pécs, Faculty of Culture and Arts, graduating with a gold-ring honour. In 2015, she also graduated from the Hungarian Dance Academy with a degree in dance teaching, dance theory and dance history.
Between 1979 and 1981 she was the choir master, and singing and music teacher of Petőfi Sándor Elementary School (11th district of Budapest), and from 1981 she was the leader of the Jeunesses Musicales Hungary for more than ten years.
From 1992 to 2001 she was the director of the Interart Festival Centre, then she started working at the Hungarian Dance Academy, where she later became an associate professor.
Beata had an incredibly deep insight into the work of European and international music networks and organisations. She was the Executive Director and Secretary of the Budapest International Music Competitions. From 2005 until 2011 she served as member of the Executive Board of the International Music Council, including as Executive Vice-President. In 2013, she was elected to the newly created position of Internal Auditor. Her contribution to the work of the IMC was enormous and multi-facetted; it equalled her commitment to the cause.
“Beata was a great believer in the transformative power of music and an unconditional supporter of the mission of our organisation. She will be deeply missed, as a wonderful colleague, a mentor and a dear friend”, says Silja Fischer, Secretary General of the International Music Council.
„Beata was not only a charming personality, but a wise and attentive mentor for two generations of art managers in Hungary and abroad. She was one of those invisible people who actually run things – never in the spotlight, but always at the center of action. Her efforts and achievements in music diplomacy of Europe cannot be overestimated.” – stated David Zsoldos, president of Hungarian Music Council.
From 2003 to 2008, Beata Schanda was the President of the European Music Council (EMC). Under her wise leadership the EMC—the Regional Group of the International Music Council—was founded as an independent legal entity in 2003. Beata has significantly shaped the EMC and paved the way for what the association is today. In 2005, Beata organised the EMC annual conference „Many Musics in Europe” in Budapest and curated the wonderful concert „Many Musics in Hungary”. Even after having stepped down as EMC President, Beata remained a dear friend and colleague as well as a relevant contributor to the organisation.
„Beata has deeply impressed us with her language and diplomatic skills, with her humour and kindness and her love for music for all”, stated EMC.
„Since 2014, Beáta Schanda has been involved as a creative collaborator in the creation of the Éva Marton International Singing Competition, successfully implementing the four competitions that have taken place up to 2021. She has been a member of the Bartók World Competition’s professional staff since its inception in 2017, and has been involved in the organisation and management of five different instrumental and composition competitions. Unfortunately, she was no longer able to participate in the preparations for the 2022 edition due to illness. As the secretary of the jury, Beáta Schanda advised on the rules of the competition and played an important role in coordinating the work of the jury and the professional running of the rounds in both events. With her calm work and always objective comments, she contributed significantly to the high quality of the competitions and their international recognition. Her painful and early departure is a great loss for all of us,” the Academy of Music declared.
During her career she has hosted several programmes on Bartók Radio and Duna Television. She was awarded the White Rose Awards in 2003 and the Miklós Bánffy Prize in 2005, and in 2022 she was awarded the György Lőrinc Prize for her work at the Hungarian Dance Academy.