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Summer Summit | Without music it’s not an education!

  • 3rd July 2026
  • 10am - 6pm
  • Cecil Sharp House, London (NW1)

Our Summer Summit “Without music it’s not an education!” will be a day of celebrating how musical learning is transforming the lives of children and young people across the UK. 

Join us at the first Summer Summit for a celebration of music education. We’re delighted to confirm that keynote speaker, Darren Abrahams will open the day. Guests will also hear from Orchestras Live sharing their experience of Social Value as a Tool for Evidencing Impact and after lunch expect a lively debate titled Music for goodness’ sake versus Music for music’s sake.

During the day, there will be live performances from local Primary School choirs, and alumni from the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

This event will also be a final opportunity to hear from Music Mark’s outgoing CEO, Bridget Whyte, and the day will close with a drinks reception, in the garden, where we will raise a toast to her!

Programme

10am Arrivals and registration | Enjoy a performance from EFDSS whilst you have a coffee and pastry!
10:30am Welcome and keynote
11:25am Orchestras Live | Making the Case for Music: Social Value as a Tool for Evidencing Impact
12:20pm Lunch | Enjoy performances from local Primary School choirs before we break for and return from lunch
1:30pm Debate Panel | Music for goodness’ sake versus Music for music’s sake
2:45pm Afternoon break
3:15pm ‘Just before I go….’ Outgoing CEO Bridget Whyte reflects on her 9 years leading Music Mark
4pm Evening reception with refreshments and canapes
6pm Event close

Speakers

  • Bridget Whyte | CEO Music Mark
  • Keynote | Darren Abrahams
  • Becky West | Regional Producer North Orchestras Live

Panellists for the debate will include:

 

Accessibility

If you would like to request presentation slides, questions and provocations in advance of the event, please get in touch with info@musicmark.org.uk. Speakers may decline sharing this information on the basis of protecting their intellectual property or for other reasons and we cannot therefore guarantee availability for all events.

Attend this event

£100 + VAT (Please note that due to the capacity we have restricted bookings to 2 tickets per transaction)

Book Online

About the Provider

Music Mark

We are a membership organisation, Subject Association, and an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO) advocating for excellent musical learning in and out of school.

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