South Coast Music Partnership Conference
Inspiring Minds. Shaping Futures.
Driving excellence in music education
Thursday 8 January 2026
Sir James Matthews Building, Guildhall Square, Southampton, UK
Schedule
9.30 Registration and Tea and coffee
10.05-10.15 Uzambezi Performance
10.15 Keynote: Transforming School Culture to support music LT 2
11.10-12.10 Breakout One
Singing games to Develop Musicianship in Key Stage 2 Room 2065
Jimmy Rotherham will share his approach which fuses traditional methodology from Kodály (games, solfa) and Dalcroze (movement) with more child led approaches. Expect fun, games and a great deal of musical learning, including learning sequences and composition activities. Suitable for KS2
How To Catch Your Breath - Aiming Science at the Chest L7 board room
Join artist-educator Ricky Tart and environmental scientist Professor Ian Williams for an hour that drifts between science, art, and empathy. From ship emissions to children’s poems, delegates will explore how creative collaboration can make the unseen world of air pollution visible and emotionally resonant. Expect stories from the Tidelines and AIR projects, insights into how “indelible memories” form through shared creativity, and a playful, hands-on session where the audience helps turn fresh-written poetry into music and an interactive digital artwork. Suitable for KS2-4
Primary - First Steps in Music Technology Count Me In! Room 2063
A session on how to use Charanga YuStudio DAW to take your First Steps in Music Technology. Use simple courses to support your class in creating beats, adding melodies and layers, even recording and using effects, all for non-specialists and non-musicians with zero tech experience! Use whatever technology is available in your school to create cool music!
Practical and hands-on tips and reassurance on how you can get started creating the kind of music your students are listening to today… Suitable for KS2/3
Inclusive music making using Sounds of Intent LT 2
This session will explore how children and young people, across the spectrum of neurodiversity, develop musically, and introduce the practical resources and strategies that teachers and others can use to support them. Participants in the session will be shown how to take a piece of music and ‘deconstruct’ it to make it suitable for learners of all abilities, before ‘reconstructing’ it in a fully inclusive performance. Suitable for all key stages, delivered by Adam Ockleford
12.10-12.40 Info Burst
Creating an instrumental journey L7 board room
This session will share how Kanes Hill Primary offer instrumental learning to pupils. Suitable for KS2
The Music Industry and Education: Integrating Real-World Practice into the Curriculum Room 2063
This session explores the structure and roles within the music industry, highlighting how teachers could embed industry practices into their curriculum. Attendees will learn strategies for connecting classroom learning with professional standards, including project-based learning, live event management, and partnerships with industry professionals. Suitable for KS3/4
Partnership working with the ENO - Finish This and Plant This Seed Room 1073
An overview of working with the English National Opera on their national school projects. Last year we took part in Finish This, a national project bringing opera and composition into schools. In the Autumn term 2025 we were one of fifteen schools nationally delivering the pilot for the secondary strand – Plant This Seed. This session shares the experience of working in partnership with an arts organisation and how it benefits the students. Suitable for KS2-4
Inclusion through the lens of Social Practice Theory Room 2065
Social Practice Theory may sound a bit stuffy, but don’t let this put you off! This session aims to introduce the theory as a lens which can have a direct impact in the music classroom. This session will explore how Social Practice can aid inclusion for students within ensemble music making experience, reducing barriers to access for all. Suitable for all Key stages.
ABRSM Curriculum Support LT2
Join Sam Wyne from ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) for an engaging information sharing session for school music teachers. Explore the latest developments and practical resources designed to support and inspire your teaching, including an introduction to Teacher Hub, Classroom 200, Music Medals, ABRSM Voices and more. Whether you’re looking to enrich your curriculum, discover new materials, or stay up to date with ABRSM’s evolving offer, this session will provide useful takeaways to bring straight back to your classroom. Suitable for all key stages
12.40-1.30 Lunch
Discover more from our speakers at the foyer stands or explore our accessible instrument library
1.30-2.30 Breakout Two
London Sinfonietta Composition Challenges Teacher Training Room 2063
Join a London Sinfonietta workshop leader as they explore the London Sinfonietta’s Composition Challenges resources. Each Composition Challenge explores the work and approach of a different contemporary composer, supporting curriculum learning and helping young people engage with creative composition through an online video supported with a teacher resource pack. Although the Challenges are ideal for Key Stage 2 and 3, they are designed to be easy to use, flexible and open to all, from complete beginners to those with more experience. We will take you through at least one of the Challenges, giving ideas along the way for how to use classroom percussion instruments effectively and how to question the young people you work with in order to level up their work. We look forward to getting creative with sound with you! Suitable for KS2/3
Inclusive Practice with Crescendorious Gig-Theatre Makers Room 2065
Join us on a journey co creating theatre and music together, indispsersed with learning and tips for working with neurodivergent children. This workshops focuses on understanding the power of music through multi sensory practice Suitable for KS1
Conducting an ensemble and managing different needs LT 2
This engaging session introduces delegates to the fundamentals of conducting, offering hands-on experience in leading an ensemble. Participants will explore basic technique and rehearsal strategies, while also empowering delegates to establish a diverse ensemble, supporting the wider aims of the national music education plan. Suitable for KS2-4. Delivered by Kevin Withell.
What is the music industry and how do I tell my pupils about it? L7 board room
What does the music industry look like? We’ll explain how artists we all know and love generate income around their music and how the music industry is structured around those revenue streams. We’ll outline the key business partners artists work with, creating a map of the music industry which works at both a national and local level.
What are the different music careers available for both frontline artists and portfolio musicians? What about the opportunities to work in music behind the scenes? How can young people can go about building the skills and knowledge they need to pursue every kind of music career? Suitable for KS2-4, delivered by Phil Nelson and Neil Simpson
Singing workshop led by Uzambezi Arts Room 1073
A vocal and songwriting workshop focusing on Southern African harmonies. Participants will learn melody lines, harmony structures, and the cultural context behind the music. Suitable for all key stages
2.40-3.40 Breakout Three
Working with neurodivergent/autistic young people in mainstream settings Room 2065
In this session we will explore how to best support neurodivergent and autistic young people in specialist provision located within mainstream settings. Suitable for all key stages, with examples from KS2. Delivered by Alex Lupo.
Inclusive Creative Ensembles Room 2063
A practical music workshop, exploring methods of inclusive and creative music making for ensembles of all instrumentation, ages and abilities Suitable for KS1-3. Delivered by Sam Mason.
Primary Voices: Lead with Confidence LT 2
This practical one hour session will explore vocal warm ups, the structure of a rehearsal or learning a song in a lesson or choir context along with how to lead singing using gestures and working towards improving musical outcomes. Participants will sing, learn appropriate repertoire and have the opportunity to practise leading the group using some of the techniques identified as part of the workshop. Suitable for KS1/2. Delivered by Nia Collians and Anna Thompsett.
World Music Method L7 board room
Discover how exploring non-Western musical traditions can transform music education. Guided by Edd Bateman, this session demonstrates the World Music Method platform, an innovative resource making traditional oral music genres accessible through cutting-edge technology.
See live demonstrations of interactive and advanced learning technology. Learn about the World Music Method’s 7 Modes of Music Mastery framework that makes diverse global traditions, from Saharan Tuareg guitar to Brazilian drumming, Hindustani slide, Arabic singing or Flamenco achievable for students and teachers. Suitable for KS3/4
Key Takeaways:
How world music significantly enhances overall musicianship
Advanced learning technology in action
The Seven Modes framework for consistent learning
Bringing authentic global music to your curriculum
Ideal for: Music educators and department heads looking to diversify their music programmes.
Music Tech
Step into state-of-the-art music technology facilities and experience the tools shaping the future of music education. This is your chance to explore industry-standard technology and discover how to bring these ideas back into your classroom. Suitable for KS3-5
Uzambezi Arts Southern African drumming workshop Room 1073
A practical djembe drumming session involving all participants. The workshop will also include an introduction to the history and traditions of Southern African drumming. Suitable for all key stages
3.50-4.15 Final Session LT2
A call to arms by Phil Nelson and a final practical session delivered by Uzambezi.
4.20 Close