Explore the 2024 Annual Conference Programme!

We are excited to bring you the launch of the 2024 Annual Conference Programme! This year we are focusing on sustainability in music education, and the programme has been carefully designed to cover all aspects of sustainability. Read on to discover the sessions, performances and speakers we’ve got planned, but make sure to visit the conference website for full details and timings! 

Monday 

As well as registration, networking over lunch, and the exhibition to explore, here’s what we’ve got planned for the first day: 

• The Able Orchestra will kick the day off at 1.30pm with a fantastic performance of original music. 
• Music Mark CEO, Bridget Whyte, will officially open the 2024 Annual Conference in a Welcome Address. 
• The first Keynote Speech will be led by Dominique Palmer, a Climate Justice Activist based in the UK. Her talk will outline the importance of sustainability in the music industry and education, and why music can be an incredible force for change. 
• We’ll follow this with a Presentation of Research, led by Dr Ross Purves, Emma Arnott, and Dr Sarah Whitfield. They’ll be presenting the key findings from a Music Mark commissioned research survey into the environmental sustainability practices of music hubs and services. 
• The final session of the day will be a Roundtable Discussion, exploring how organisations have responded to the climate crisis, and will include case studies in areas including supply chain, finance and carbon footprint measuring. Attendees will be challenged to discuss environmental sustainability in their own contexts. 

After a break, the evening drinks reception will give you the chance to network with colleagues before the conference dinner and the presentation of the 2024 Music Mark Awards!  

Tuesday 

Throughout the day there will be plenty of opportunities to visit the exhibition to discover how our Industry Partners can support your work, as well as time to grab refreshments and network with colleagues. 

• A fantastic performance from Nottinghamshire Singing Hub Schools Primary Choir will start the day off at 9am. 
• Chris Buglass and Rosie Lowe will open the second day of the conference and provide a National Update on the direction of Music Mark in 2025. 
• ABRSM’s Engagement Director, Lincoln Abbotts, will introduce headline results from the most recent ‘Making Music Report’ in their session ‘Making Music International: What The Research Tells Us’.  
• Following these whole conference talks, the first breakout sessions will take place at 9.40am, which will all focus on Sustainable Learning. Sessions include: 
  • A Recipe for Sustaining Learning 
  • Musicians In Residence 
  • Survive or Thrive Climate Change 
  • Developing Sustainability in Primary Music Through Building Non-Specialist Teacher Confidence 
  • Making Music in Minecraft 
• The second set of breakout sessions will dive into Sustainable Workforce and Organisations: 
  • AMP Generators: Sustainable programming through equitable access routes
  • Transforming School Engagement 
  • Governance for Sustainable Organisations 
  • Pressure To Perform  
  • Greening Your Finances 
• The first keynote of the day will take place at 12.15pm with Konnie Huq! 
• After lunch the final set of breakout sessions will get going, exploring Sustainable Practice and Research: 
  • Beyond Youth Voice: Young people as agents of change 
  • Community Connection: How partnership working in Nottingham is creating a flourishing music ecology 
  • Towards An Integrated Music Education Ecosystem 
  • Let’s Not Reinvent The Wheel: How can research in sports science aid the sustainability of music education 
  • Greater Manchester Hub Journey 
• After a short break for you to explore the exhibition and grab some refreshments, we’ll be joined by Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason for our final keynote session. 
• Last but certainly not least, Nottingham Music Service’s Robin Hood Youth Orchestra will close the event. 

Visit the Conference Website

Visit the conference website for the full programme, which includes more information about each session, daily timings, and speaker biographies. The virtual exhibition is now live so you can find out more about the Industry Partners who are sponsoring and exhibiting at the conference, and you can also find answers to frequently asked questions. Visit the website now. 

Haven’t bought your ticket yet? Don’t miss out on this fantastic programme! Book your ticket now to be inspired by all of our speakers and performers, network with colleagues from across the sector, and meet our Industry Partners to find out how they can support your work.