QMEC brings together music educators and thought leaders for a professional development opportunity like no other. The program offers a variety of exceptional experiences, tailored to a variety of preferences, goals, and experience levels. In addition to the traditional conference rubric of keynotes and lecture-style sessions, QMEC gives you the chance to develop your skills in a practical setting, and attend topics curated to a variety of streams and preferences. Explore all that QMEC has to offer!

Performance & Pedagogy Ensembles

Unique to QMEC is the opportunity to rehearse with renowned conductors. Expand your conference experience by participating in a Performance and/or Pedagogy Ensemble. Both ensembles rehearse adjacent to the main Conference program, however Performance Ensemble concert rehearsals overlap with the regular Conference program on Day 3.

In a Performance Ensemble, you’ll play carefully curated repertoire as you prepare to take the stage in the Gala Concert. These provide professionally challenging opportunities for delegates to rehearse with a renowned conductor, play high-level repertoire and perform at the closing concert. Available ensembles include Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, Choir, and Big Band. Please note that Performance Ensembles are open only to full-time delegates.

Pedagogy Ensembles provide a space for professional development in conducting and ensemble pedagogy, skill refinement on an alternate instrument, and additional ensemble experience. These ensembles do not perform at the Gala Concert but may feature in sessions or rehearsals observed by other delegates. Please note that Pedagogy Ensembles are open to both full-time and part-time delegates, but participants are expected to commit to both days.

Ensemble allocations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability and ensemble balance. Performance Ensemble participants will receive music prior to the Conference and are expected to arrive at the first rehearsal sufficiently prepared.

Register today to submit your preferred ensemble nominations.

Conducting development

A bonus feature of QMEC, delegates can take up two opportunities to support the development of conducting skills and practises: Conductor Tutorials and Conducting Masterclasses.

Conductor Tutorials are one-on-one, 20-minute sessions in which delegates can work with renowned experts in their fields. Gain expert and individualised feedback to refine and develop your own conducting technique. Please note that, to prepare, you’ll need to bring a short (<5 min) video of yourself conducting. Your Conductor Mentor will use this as a starting point for your session to truly cater to your needs.

Conducting Masterclasses are led by QMEC’s most established conductors. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to develop conducting skills with live ensembles and receive personalised feedback.
In each masterclass, three selected delegates will receive 20 minutes of podium time, receiving feedback from the clinician. You can opt to attend as a musician-observer in the Masterclass ensemble, or nominate for podium time to work with the mentor as a conductor-delegate. Conductor-delegates will choose one piece/excerpt from a provided list of three repertoire options (at varying difficulty levels) to conduct during the Masterclass. Musician-observers will gain valuable insights into conducting techniques, repertoire interpretation, and ensemble leadership.

Conducting development places are limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. All delegates are encouraged to attend a Conducting Masterclass as a musician-observer. Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your conducting skills or learn from some of the best in the field!

Conference streams

At QMEC, the expertise on stage is only part of the story. The program is carefully crafted to suit different types of music educators to explore and extend their areas of interest. Sessions are grouped into streams like Primary Classroom, Secondary Classroom, Instrumental Music, Music Technology, and Emerging. Woven throughout will also be sessions to explore and embed Indigenous culture in teaching methods. While these pathways are curated for each interest area, you have the flexibility to choose your own adventure as you pick and choose the topics that mean the most to you.

Social program

To truly experience all that QMEC has to offer, each night features a social event to bring together delegates, mentors, and exhibitors. These entertaining and enjoyable events include the:

• Welcome Reception: Cocktails and conversations to round out the first day of the Conference.
• Conference Dinner: A delicious three course meal – put down your notebooks and connect with your cohort to share ideas and conversation.
• Gala Concert: Celebrate the Conference and reflect on all that you’ve experienced with a program showcasing the Performance Ensembles.

Head to our Social Events page for all the details and how to secure your tickets.

Trade exhibition & Supporters

More than just a display space, the trade exhibition connects you with a showcase of the very latest innovations and resources to support you and your students. Exhibitors include everything from print music to tech – it’s your one-stop-shop to meet with industry professionals in fields such as tour support, instrument distributors, music theory tools and platforms, collaborative organisations, and so much more. Connect with individual traders as you follow your Conference Passport, and hear from the experts themselves through the Trade Talk Sessions.