- Associação de Cultura Musical de Lousada (ACML) is a non-profit cultural organization founded in 1975 with the purpose of manage the existing Wind Band wich activity started in 1855. Besides the Wind Band, ACML holds a Big Band - "Lousada Big Band".
- ACML is also the entity that owns a music school since 1994 - Conservatório do Vale do Sousa, which currently has about 450 students from 6 to 65 years of age. The largest number of students are from 6 to 18 years old, adult learners however has been a constant growing and the Conservatory also investes in musical education extended to all generations.
- In 2004 ACML opened the Course of Classical Ballet, with about 70 students registered in the current school year.
- Working with adults has been also a major concern. There is a choir formed by the parents of the Conservatory students with a regular activity and there are protocols with local Seniors Movements and the local Senior University (USALOU). Under these protocols there are activities such as workshops, concerts and group music lessons. All these activities results from the volunteer work of the Conservatory teachers.
- ACML also works in partnership with the Social Network providing music lessons to social disadvantaged young people through the voluntary work of some Conservatory teachers.
The main objectives of Associação de Cultura Musical de Lousada are:
- Music Academic Education
- Music and Culture dissemination
- Promoting greater cultural involvement of the local community.