9th ECA Symposium in Monte-Carlo

The 9th annual symposium of the European Circus Association (ECA) took place at the Marriott Hotel in Monte-Carlo on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 January 2011. The symposium is always organized during the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo and this year’s main subjects were “Music in the Circus” and “Animals in the Circus.”

Attila Maka, the band leader of the circus orchestra in Budapest, did a presentation about his work in the circus, accompanying the circus shows with live music and composing and arranging traditional and modern style circus music. A mix of both styles is contained in his composition of the music accompanying the hand voltige act Quinterion (ECA prize winners at the Latina Festival in 2010). Franz Althoff, from Germany, explained his point of view of the possibilities of mixing live with recorded or electronic music. Both showed examples from live shows: Maka from the circus in Budapest and Althoff of the production “Der Zauberwald” (The Magic Forest). Many guests from all over the world, from the circus business and international press, took part in the discussion following the presentations.