Rock Monsters Romania

BeatAgora has opened applications for new high schools interested in joining its national alternative music education programme during the 2026–2027 school year. High schools across Romania that want to provide students with free access to musical instruments, rehearsal spaces and real performing experiences can apply until September 25, 2026, by completing the application form.

Launched during the 2023–2024 school year as a pilot project in five high schools across five communities, BeatAgora has grown year after year and is now present in 19 high schools across 19 cities and communities in Romania, giving more than 20,000 students access to the programme. More than 45 student bands are currently active within the programme, having performed over 50 concerts so far.

The programme is built around a simple idea: access to music education should not depend on whether a family can afford to buy an instrument or whether a school has a suitable space for rehearsals. BeatAgora brings instruments and equipment into high schools to create fully functional music labs, provides teachers with methodology, training and educational resources, and creates opportunities for students to rehearse, form bands and eventually perform in front of an audience.

“An instrument left sitting in a corner doesn’t change very much. But an instrument that a child picks up, learns to play, uses together with other children and eventually takes onto a stage can change a great deal. Through BeatAgora, we want to bring this experience to as many high schools across Romania as possible and give as many students as possible the opportunity to discover music, play together and see how far they can go. Today, more than 20,000 students in Romania already have free access to modern musical instruments through the programme, and for us, this is only the beginning,” says Zoli Toth, the programme’s initiator.

Participating high schools receive instruments and equipment to set up a music lab, while teachers are supported in their work with students. Young people are encouraged to form bands, rehearse together and take part in concerts, festivals and competitions.

The experience of the past three years has shown that there is strong interest in these kinds of opportunities among both students and schools. In 2026, BeatAgora organized the second edition of the National SOLO Guitar Competition, which brought together 75 participants, as well as the first edition of the National Drums Competition, featuring 131 participants from across the country. The programme also organized the 1 Minute Orchestra competition in partnership with RetuRO, bringing together music, creativity and environmental awareness.

For the 2026–2027 school year, high schools interested in joining the BeatAgora programme can apply by completing the application form. Educational institutions must meet the requirements outlined in the form, after which applications will be evaluated as part of the selection process. The deadline for applications is September 25, 2026.

BeatAgora programme application form

About BeatAgora

BeatAgora is a national music education programme initiated by musician Zoli Toth and financially supported by founding partner BRD Groupe Société Générale and main sponsor RetuRO. The programme was launched during the 2023–2024 school year through a pilot project implemented in five high schools across five communities in Romania.

BeatAgora aims to bring music education in Romanian high schools to a level comparable with European standards by providing access to modern musical instruments, music labs and rehearsal rooms, support for teachers and performance opportunities for students.

By 2029, the programme aims to reach 50 high schools across Romania. After four years of implementation at a participating school, the instruments and sound equipment provided through the programme remain the property of the high school, helping to support the long term development of the school’s music infrastructure.