Over the past two decades the culture of music has changed dramatically. The advances in technology, digital media and mass communication have created a revolution that is undeniable.

There are many institutions that do an amazing, yet sometimes difficult job, at teaching both children and adults music of all genres throughout the world. However, there are few that teach music as an occupation which requires a PROFESSIONAL music education.

The attempt was not to limit the students or future music professionals with a rote method of teaching the language of music, but on immersing them into as much theoretical, practical and technological fundamental tools as possible and helping them thrive through creativity.

Three of the world’s most prestigious professional music education institutions, whose kindred philosophy on education has led to their sharing of knowledge and teaching techniques, met in May of 2013 in London to formalize “The International Association of Music Colleges and Universities,” also known as the IAMCU. The IAMCU was created to allow students to collaborate through a global network of educational inspiration for creative exchange of ideas across borders, languages and cultures. The three founding schools, representing each of their continents are: The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London, England, Los Angeles College of Music in California as well as the Fermatta Music Academy in Mexico City & Guadalajara, Mexico.

This worldwide friendship and alliance allowed students to create and communicate the language of music across different continents with student artists, producers and engineers who otherwise would have never had the chance to collaborate together.

The IAMCU wanted to create a “global village” for students to expand their learning experience far beyond their classrooms.

This experience is known as the IAMCU “Virtual Exchange Program”. This program has provided opportunities for students to learn, create and collaborate with their international peers through participation in “on-line projects” in realtime and across continents.

All three institutions have forged significant reputations for producing alumni filled with rich musical talent but also having the ability to recognize this heritage in musicians all over the globe.

The IAMCU has now completed an exciting new project which we want to share with you…

Four of the people that helped change the landscape for professional musicians were members of a little English rock band formed in Liverpool in the 1960’s.

They became one of the most important bands in music history, revolutionizing the sound, style, and attitude of popular music and opened rock and roll’s doors to a tidal wave of British rock acts. Their initial impact would have been enough to establish The Beatles as one of their era’s most influential cultural forces.

To celebrate the launch of the IAMCU, we partnered with UNICEF to release a special collaborative project between the three founding member institutions which has recreated The Beatles second album, “With The Beatles”. With which the students from all 3 institutions named the re-creation of this new album “Without The Beatles”.

This ground-breaking international project has been led by students from the founding schools and all of the proceeds will help and support international educational programs as well as UNICEF.

It is the IAMCU’s firm belief to help others have the opportunity to succeed and benefit from the language of music.

Each institution contributed to the student led project, which includes student producers, student engineers, student arrangers as well as student musicians and bands, whilst each song featured at least one remote contribution from the other two institutions.

Students were able to be involved in productions much like they will see in today’s music industry and which will prepare them for success in a professional yet creative environment.

Every year following the release of this project, students from all three institutions will have the ability to follow in the footsteps of this collaborative project.

Classic albums celebrating their 50th anniversary will be re-created by students from all three campuses enriching their learning experience as well as aiding others in need.

We hope you enjoy the music made by these wonderful musicians through this amazing project as much as we enjoyed making it a reality.