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Music Mark announces programme for ambitious EDI conference series

Music Mark has announced the programme for their ambitious conference series from 9 - 25 November which explores equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in music education. The line-up includes presenters and contributors from across the breadth of the music education sector, such as Nate Holder, Sam Stimpson, Kris Halpin, Emily Foulkes, Lincoln Abbots, Liz Stafford, and keynote speaker, musician Clarence Adoo. 

The programme, which is available to view on Music Mark's conference microsite, showcases a combination of inspirational presentations, breakouts, and panel discussions. Highlights include:

  • Keynote presentation from trumpeter Clarence Adoo, whose Headspace instrument allows him to continue to make music following an accident which resulted in him being paralysed from the neck down
  • Decolonising the Curriculum with Dr Liz Stafford (Music Education Solutions), Kay Charlton (Kapow), Prof. Nate Holder, Chaired by Bridget Whyte (Music Mark)
  • Rap and Literacy: using Music to develop a more creative curriculum, led by Southampton Music Hub
  • Social Prescribing and Music, led by Music for Good and ASONE Hub
  • Exploring Youth Voice within Music-Making Practices in Classical Music Education, led by Sound Connections, and Youth Voice in the primary classroom led by Calderdale Music
  • Spotting Young People’s Musical Potential, led by Awards for Young Musicians
  • Developing partnerships to support Children in Care, led by Coventry Music Hub and Sandwell Music Hub at SIPS Education
  • New Voices: creating opportunities for the next generation of composers to write for music education, led by Lincoln Abbotts (Executive Director, ABRSM), Andy Grappy (Musician & workshop leader), Kristina Arakelyan (Composer & teacher)
  • Music, Attachment & Trauma: Adapting therapeutic music-making techniques for the classroom led by Gideon Malitskie

The series-format is an expansion on Music Mark's traditional two-day conference, designed to enable a wider audience to attend. From 9-25 November, events will run in Bristol, London, Derby, Newcastle, and online, to explore all areas of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in music education.

In keeping with the Talk Into Action initiative, launched one year ago, the series of events aims to ensure that a diverse range of voices are platformed, with a variety of new perspectives centred. In the development of the initiative, Sam Stimpson has worked with Music Mark as an EDI consultant and led webinars throughout the year to help organisations and individuals put talk into action when it comes to EDI. On the conference series, she said: 

So often when organisations seek to become more inclusive, there are a lot of great conversations had, but very little meaningful change. This conference series ensures that attendees are left with really practical, actionable ideas so they can engage a more diverse range of young people with musical opportunities, across the country.

All conference tickets include access to the Music Mark conference microsite which will have on-demand content, and is where the online day (17th November) and sessions broadcast live from Newcastle will be available.  Everything streamed on the microsite will also be available to delegates to watch again until the end of March 2023.

Tickets are on sale now, with discounted tickets are available for students, jobseekers, and those otherwise unable to purchase a full-price ticket. Prices start at £30 (student ticket for Online day), with discounts for Members of Music Mark.

See the programme: conference.musicmark.org.uk 

Book your tickets: www.musicmark.org.uk