Bridget’s Blog: Join us at the 2026 Conference
2nd June 2026
Is it too early to talk about the ‘c’ word?
One of the team recently asked in a meeting whether anyone else had started getting emails about planning for Christmas… and whilst it seems ages away, I expect quite a few music teachers and ensemble leaders will already be programming concerts and shows for December! However, for us, the ‘c’ word we talk about months in advance is Conference!
To misquote Benjamin Franklin, ‘in this world nothing can be said to be certain except that there will be a Music Mark Annual Conference in November every year’!
My first job at Music Mark in June 2017 was to programme that year’s conference. I was given a few scribbled notes from Jem and chatted to a few people, but I can’t remember exactly how I pulled together a programme for a two-day conference with breakouts and keynotes! It seemed to go OK, though, and from there we moved on – learning as we went – to delivering a great conference each year. And that certainty President Franklin talked about? Well, even a pandemic didn’t stop us!
I’m pleased to say that we now start planning the conference much earlier than June each year. In fact, this week we’re opening bookings, having secured our venue back in January and put our call for content out in March. I, of course, won’t be at the helm by November, but I’m not taking my foot off the pedal quite yet, so I’m fully involved in the planning process. Unlike in my first few years, though, programming is very much a team effort these days.
There is so much expertise within the Music Mark staff team to help ensure the programme is a good mix of sessions with something for everyone. This year, though, we also wanted to engage some critical friends and so have sought advice from expert consultants. In this way, I’m confident we are creating a programme that will resonate with the diverse range of delegates Music Mark can expect to welcome to Liverpool in November.
The main challenge we have when programming these days is saying no to so many of the great proposals our members send in, and I’d like to thank everyone who did. What an amazing sector it is to lead right now – even with so much uncertainty and challenge. It was hard not to want to squeeze in more than we really had time for, but whilst the schedule will be packed, we couldn’t accommodate all 70-odd suggestions we received! But fear not – nothing is wasted. Many of the ideas we can’t fit into the two days will feature in other ways across our training and events programme, or as case studies within our resources.
I’m being told I can’t give any spoilers in this blog. Indeed, not everything is sewn up yet, but with such an engaging focus this year – Inclusivity and Relevance – I will go out on a limb and say that it is going to be the best conference yet! Those attending can expect to be involved in some really meaty debates, hear inspirational stories, learn from experts, and take lots away to apply to their work — both in delivering music education to children and young people, and in managing their teams and considering their own practice and wellbeing.
What I can tell you is that it would be wise to book early – and that it will be a great conference!
Don’t miss your chance to join the Music Mark team at this year’s conference!
