We welcome all teaching musicians to join us for two rewarding days of discussion and professional development at the 2021 MU Education Conference, held at Resonance, a new, state-of-the-art music college in Dudley.

Access some of the best value music teaching CPD in the UK

Delegates at the 2021 MU Education Conference will benefit from high-quality CPD, carefully devised to provide musicians who teach with training on issues that are most relevant to their work.

With 17 workshops, debates and seminars – covering inclusion and equality to health and wellbeing, Senegalese drumming to mindful singing, and performance anxiety to education copyright – the MU Education Conference is the best possible way to top up your skills and motivation as we head into the new academic year.

Issues of key importance – from anti-racism to Government music education policy – will take centre stage at this year’s MU Education Conference. Complementing these will be hands-on sessions featuring drumming, singing, meditation and Feldenkrais, as well as talks on fascinating topics from music therapy to employment law.

In addition, all delegates will be able to access one free consultation or mentoring session from a qualified coach or MU official.

Network with a music teacher community

A free evening drinks reception and dinner allows delegates to network and socialise, giving you the opportunity to compare notes and catch up with teaching colleagues from around the UK.

With all other meals also provided and on-site hotel accommodation arranged, all you need to do is focus on the event.

Conference programme

Friday 15 October

From 9am Registration, coffee and pastries
10am Welcome and brief group meditation
10.25am Senegalese drumming workshop with Mohamed Gueye
11.25am Tea/coffee
11.45am National Open Youth Orchestra showcase
12.45pm Lunch
1.45pm Building an Inclusive Community in UK Music Education with Roger Wilson from Black Lives in Music
2.45pm Tea/coffee
3pm Breakouts: Develop your teaching practice with Dr Kerry Boyle and Diane Widdison OR Rhythm activities and neuroscience with Mike Simpson
3.45pm Breakouts: Make every copy count with the Schools Printed Music Licence with Abigail D'Amore, Director, Every Copy Counts OR Music technology hacks with Jonathan and Josh Savage
4.30pm Inside the musical relationship with music therapist Bob Heath
5.30pm CLOSE

Evening

Walk to Copthorne Hotel (2 mins). Drinks and music on arrival.
7pm DINNER

Saturday 16 October

Members of the MU Education Section Committee meet at 9.30am until 11.30am.

Other delegates follow the schedule:

From 9am Registration, coffee and pastries
10am Welcome and brief group meditation
10.25am Breakouts: Mind, body and song with Melissa James OR Feldenkrais with Emma Alter
11.25pm Tea/coffee
11.45pm Breakouts: Students with performance anxiety with Amy Littlewood OR Workplace trade union activism (MU Education Reps attend this session)
12.45pm LUNCH
1.45pm Breakouts: Supporting learners with autism (speaker TBC) OR Employment law workshop with David Barnard
2.45pm Tea/coffee
3pm Closing discussion. Music education policy – where are we? With Chris Walters
3.45pm CLOSE

One-to-one consultation and coaching sessions

One-to-one consultation and coaching sessions with David Barnard and Marion Friend are available on both days of the conference. Booking available soon.

Please note that some sessions may be subject to change.

Exclusive Conference offer

Naxos UK are offering all delegates to the MU Conference access to Naxos MusicBox resource absolutely free until the end of November 2021.

MusicBox is a comprehensive introduction to the world of music, suitable mainly for students aged from 8-14. It has sections on 60 of the world’s great composers, the Instruments of the Orchestra, World Music, and Stage and Screen, all backed by over 4000 video and listening examples. There is a large Activities section with downloadable teacher support material extended composition and wider listening tasks, and it’s being added to all the time. Many teachers, both in school and private settings, are finding that MusicBox has a great deal to offer both them and their students.

All delegates need to do to take advantage of this offer is to send an email to jedwards@naxosmusic.co.uk and request a free login using the code MU2021

MU Education Conference 2021