Modern Band Summit 2025

July 9-11, 2025

Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO

Join us for our three-day national teacher conference as we gather educators from across the nation for a transformative experience of workshops, artist talks, jam sessions, and more. Engage with experts and connect with peers who share your passion for using music to make a difference in children’s lives. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting, you’ll leave with valuable hands-on experience, new tools, and innovative techniques to elevate your classroom and positively impact the lives of your students.

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$199

Registration includes conference registration & community events. Housing registration is through CSU.

Conference Registration
All community events
Room and Board
Housing is available through CSU. Click here to register!

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Apply for a scholarship

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About the Annual Modern Band Summit

The Modern Band Summit is a professional development conference like no other! Music educators from all over the country come together to learn, teach, play music, and experience the modern band curriculum. This is the premiere gathering for those passionate about the rising tide of culturally-responsive music education. Modern Band Summit is the only conference you need to achieve your professional development goals, transform your classroom and impact even more students.

Honoring Mia Ibrahim

Mia was an amazing music educator and advocate for marginalized youth and communities. They were passionate about ensuring the voices of LGBTQ2IA+ students were heard, and Mia led several sessions during the Modern Band Summit to help support other educators in this work. The Mia Ibrahim Scholarship hopes to maintain their legacy by providing the opportunity to attend Modern Band Summit to educators who are passionate about continuing this work in the music education community. Deadline to apply is March 23.

Learn more

Why You Should Attend the Modern Band Summit

Quality Training

You will meet real pros from across the global modern band education community who provide real, actionable insights and hands-on training that you will be able to apply in the classroom immediately.

Professional Development

Attendees can receive a certificate for up to 15 hours of professional development. Please check with your district regarding its acceptance policy and certification protocol.

Community

You will forge lifelong relationships with people who become like family — your go-to group of peers whom you can ask any question or lean on for support.

Education Resources

By attending the Modern Band Summit, you become a part of the Music Will community. You will gain exclusive access to ongoing resources and support that will continue to guide you on your teaching journey.

Inspiration

Modern band is so much more than curriculum – it’s a movement. You will leave excited about the upcoming school year, prepared with new ways to engage your students and get them excited to learn about music.

Past Presentations

See What Our Community is Saying

"This is a grassroots movement that is going to make a huge difference. I think it could revolutionize music education as we know it."

David E.

Professor of Music at NYU - New York

"I'm here at the Summit simply because it is the best training I have ever received."

Zach H.

Teacher - Helena, MT

“Modern Band Summit is something I look forward to every year. It is the best professional development conference I have attended in my 24 years of being a music educator.”

DeWayne E.

Teacher - Lakewood, CO

“Modern band will change US music education. It will catch fire and spread to every school district. I am proud and ecstatic to be a part of this movement and plan to move mountains to spread the word.”

Maria F.

Teacher - Los Angeles, CA

"Every session was a golden nugget of teaching happiness. It wasn't the traditional music program. This was a way to make music immediately accessible for our students in a way that kids would want to be a part of.”

Barbara “Bobbie” G.

Teacher - Watsonville, CA

"I am always blown away by the high-quality professional development opportunities provided at the Summit. I feel supported and empowered in so many ways. I am proud to be a part of this community.”

Emmeline M.

Teacher - Surrey, British Columbia

“I learned motivating, engaging strategies for composition, improvisation, speech, and rap that I will utilize in the classroom immediately when students return in the fall. Thank you!”

Heidi F.

Teacher - Chicago, IL

“Modern band truly changed my life. I know that sounds crazy, but it did! I was burned out and I was losing my passion for teaching. I attended the 101 workshop with a few of my colleagues and I found my passion again! Thank you a million times over!”

Jennifer G.

Teacher - Longmont, CO

“The Modern Band Summit is by far the best professional development I have and likely ever will receive. It's so much more than just the conference and the sessions. It's the community, the events, the way the staff is connected and involved, and so much more.”

Nicole G.

Teacher - Falls Church, VA

"This was my first Modern Band Summit professional development event. I cannot wait to get started with my young musicians to begin teaching all the amazing things I've learned. Thank you all for this amazing experience. Your energy and enthusiasm was through the roof!"

Nadine B.

Teacher - Machias, ME

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the event?

Modern Band Summit 2025 will be held from July 9-11, 2025 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. There is a pre-conference day on July 8th with our Modern Band 101 and 102 Workshops and a new Hip Hop 101!

When will registration open?

Modern Band Summit registration opened in January 2025. Register now!

How much does MBS 2025 cost?

One low rate of $199 for ALL attendees!

Do you offer scholarships?

We sometimes are able to offer limited scholarships in select markets thanks to our generous donors and supporters.

Complete the application below by 11:59 PM PT on February 16th March 26th to be considered for a scholarship.

Selection will be based on your responses to the questions and the availability of funds in your region. Please note that the amount of the scholarship may fluctuate for different regions, as it is dependent on allocated funding. Applicants will be notified of their scholarship status by February 21st.

If selected, you must register for the conference by March 15th to secure the scholarship.

Registering for Sessions

Registration for individual sessions will go live as we get closer to the event.

Packing

Complimentary Items provided by CSU:

Bed linens (sheets, blankets, pillow, & pillow case). Bring your own if preferred!
Bath towels, soap, toilet paper
Dorms have A/C

NOT Provided by CSU:

Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair Dryer
Lotion

Recommended to Bring:

Sun protection (sunscreen, hat)
Comfortable Shoes
Shower Shoes (ie. flip flops)
Any plug-in appliances including hair dryer, straightening irons, iron, steamer, etc.

Shuttle Services and Drop Off Information

Address for Dorm & Ride-Share Drop-Off:

Laurel Village Pavillion, 920 W Plum St, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Event Shuttles:

There will be complimentary shuttle services available for transportation for the following times:

To and From CSU and Washington’s (7pm-10pm) on July 10

To and from CSU and The Lyric (8pm-11pm) on July 11

Accessibility

Music Will staff will run golf carts to help transport people between the dorms and the Lory Student Center where Summit sessions are held.

Additionally, all buildings have ramp access and elevators.

If you have any specific concerns, please contact us at [email protected].

Conference Check-In

Times and Locations:

July 7th: 4pm – 10pm (MB101/MB102 Attendees/Presenters) at the Pavilion
July 8th: 8 am – 5 pm at Lory Student Center
July 9th: 8 am – 5 pm at Lory Student Center
July 10th: 8 am – 5 pm at Lory Student Center

For a map of relevant locations for Summit, click here. For a map of the entire CSU campus, click here.

On-Campus Lodging Check-In

Registration for housing goes through Colorado State, and the deadline to register for on-campus housing is June 20.

Address:

Laurel Village Pavillion, 920 W Plum St, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Times:

Check-in for on-campus housing occurs from 4-10 pm on July 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th!

If necessary, late check-ins will call a Colorado State student staff member at 970-567-6323.

Additional Info:

Upon check-in, you will receive a lanyard with a meal card and room key.
Costs are incurred for any lost keys; please keep them secure and with you at all times.

Additional linens and towels are available for pickup at the front desk in the Pavilion.

Off-Campus Housing

The on-campus lodging deadline is June 20. For anyone who misses the deadline or prefers to stay off-campus, Fort Collins has several lodging options near Colorado State University:

Parking

Parking information and passes available through the Colorado State website.

Campus Maps

Zoomed in map of where we will be on campus (Laurel Village Dorms, parking lots, and Lory Student Center).

Campus map here.

Meal Information

Dining Hall Meal Times:

Breakfast: 7 am – 9 am
Dinner: 5 pm – 7 pm*
*Friday dinner will be served at the cookout, not the dining hall!

Conference meals:

The meals below are included with conference registration. Breakfasts and most dinners take place in the Foundry, lunches take place at Lory Student Center. Dinner on Friday evening will be served at our cookout!

Your CSU lodging registration covers Breakfast and Dinner each day, and Music Will provides Lunch and the cookout dinner.

Tuesday – Dinner (Breakfast and lunch are provided to those attending the pre-conference day on 7/8)
Wednesday – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thursday – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Friday – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (cookout)
Saturday – Breakfast
Saturday – Breakfast

More to Know:

Full Lunch service is provided in the Lory Student Center on July 9, 10 and 11.
For those attending the pre-conference MB101 and MB102 sessions (pre-registration required), Lunch is also provided on July 8.
Allergy & dietary restriction options available (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, etc.)
Optional snacks/drinks for purchase at the on-site campus store and cafe
Complimentary coffee & water stations will be in the Lory Student Center at 8:30 am and 2:30 pm every day
Desserts & snacks will be provided at Washington’s reception on Wednesday, July 9th
Please note, if you did not purchase a meal card in advance, you may still purchase meals with your credit/debit card (no cash payments)

Miscellaneous

Traveling with instruments? View TSA Guidelines for Flying here.
- Note: Acoustic guitars are available on-site for ALL attendees!
Friendly reminder that CSU is a smoke-free campus.
Posting about the Summit? Use our hashtags! #ModernBandSummit and #JoinTheMovement
There are currently no COVID protocols in place for the Summit as Music Will complies with recommendations from the state of Colorado. Attendees are, however, welcome to take any necessary precautions as they see fit.