Inside Music Education Conferences: and how Music Will is Shaping the Future Nationwide

Professionals of all sorts gather at events each year to learn more about their field of work, network with like-minded individuals, and build new skills to take back to their companies and organizations.  Have you ever wondered what that looks like for music teachers, arts researchers, current music education college students, and their professors? At Music Will, our advocacy and efforts to expand access to modern music education don’t only happen in classrooms. It happens in hallways, exhibit spaces, and session rooms at Music Education Association (MEA) conferences across the country, where we meet educators, share resources, and help shape the future of music education. 

What are Music Education Associations (MEAs)?

A Music Education Association (MEA) is the backbone of the state's music education ecosystems, offering professional development, student programs, and advocacy. They set learning standards, influence legislative policy, and host an annual conference that brings together thousands of educators each year. These events often include:  – Professional development sessions across music disciplines like modern band to choir, orchestra to music technology, and beyond – Discovery of new digital music tools, trauma-informed teaching practices, or even new composition styles and newly released music for classroom ensembles – Student opportunities like All-State band, choir, orchestra, and modern band – Networking and collaboration for music educators For Music Will, these conferences are a primary stage for sharing our expertise in modern band pedagogy, introducing new teachers to Music Will’s resources, and scaling our impact. 

Why Music Education Conferences Matter for Educators 

To our supporters, this might look like a run-of-the-mill professional gathering. However, for the thousands of educators that we serve, this is often the only occasion in an entire school year where they are able to learn from, meet with, and expand their pedagogical knowledge with their teacher peers.  School districts are often unable to offer focused professional training for music teachers, so many rely on their state’s annual MEA conference to stay up-to-date in their field, bring back refreshed or new knowledge to their classrooms, and network with other passionate music educators. For our students, these conferences are often the spark for teachers that keeps their music programs alive, modern, and thriving. 

How Music Will Shows Up at MEA Conferences 

Our presence at MEA conferences each year supports our programmatic work in the following ways:  – Scaling Our Impact: In one session at an MEA conference, we can train 100 teachers or more! If each of these teachers sees 225 students per week, your support has brought modern band music pedagogy to 22,500 students. – Defining Best Practices: By sharing our pedagogy for modern music and presenting our free, digital curriculum, Music Will ensures that music education is evolving to meet the needs of today’s students through today’s music. – Building the Network: MEA conferences allow our team to meet school district leaders, partners, and interested music educators face-to-face, opening doors for new modern band programs in underserved communities that we otherwise might not reach.

2025-2026 Reflection: A Year of Connections

For several months, Music Will team members and teacher ambassadors have been traveling to and from MEA conferences, greeting new and current Music Will teachers through our session presentations and engaging in conversations at our exhibit hall booths. Here’s a small glimpse of how Music Will was represented at MEA conferences this year:   New Jersey Music Education Association Students absolutely rocked at the NJMEA Honors Modern Band. This performing opportunity gives New Jersey students from across the state the chance to perform with their peers, elevating modern band to the recognition level of traditional band, choir, and orchestra honors band performances.  Texas Music Education Association  In February 2026, over 80 educators attended two Music Will professional development sessions on Tech Tools and Popular Music Through Guitar. Attending music educators also visited with Music Will at our exhibit booth featuring the Zip-Kit, a mini, portable drum kit invented by Music Will Founder Dave Wish.  Ohio Music Education Association In January 2026, Music Will presented two sessions at Ohio’s MEA conference in Columbus and hosted an exhibit booth where we shared all about Music Will, our programs, and our free curriculum. In partnership with Ohio’s Music Education Association, we are excited to launch new modern band programs across the state in the coming school year. 

The Mission Beyond the Classroom 

Music teachers often exist on an island, sometimes being the only one in their school or working by themselves in a role that covers an entire district. It can be lonely and even isolating.  Much like Music Will’s teacher community, MEA’s are a connection point for music educators to be with and learn from each other, sharing in a common purpose of bringing high-quality music education to students.  Our presence is driven by this purpose. Keeping teachers inspired through modern music education keeps students engaged with music-making in a way that shapes their whole person, unlocking the social and emotional skills young people need to be successful in today’s world.  Help us reach more teachers and the students who depend on them. Learn more about our work and support Music Will’s programs, bringing modern music education to more classrooms nationwide. Learn More →