The Conference Programme is here!
The YMTE Annual Conference 2026
Barratt Due Institute of Music in Oslo, Norway | 30 September to 2 October 2026
Learning, Transition and the Future of Young Musical Talent
How can Europe strengthen pathways for young musical talents while preserving the diversity and richness of its educational traditions?
The 2026 YMTE Conference brings together leaders, teachers, researchers and European partners to examine what high-quality pre-college music education should mean today. Across three days, participants will explore artistic excellence, student wellbeing, learning outcomes, transitions into Higher Music Education, international mobility and emerging approaches to teaching and learning.
A central part of the programme presents findings from YMTE’s Erasmus+ Learning Outcomes project. Delegates will respond to the findings and help formulate a pre-college perspective for YMTE’s contribution to the AEC Congress in November. The conference concludes by identifying practical priorities for future YMTE cooperation.
Conference at a glance
Day 1 | Purpose quality and success What should pre-college music education enable young musicians to become artistically, personally and socially? |
Day 2 | Learning outcomes and European cooperation How can pre-college and Higher Music Education build a clearer shared understanding of readiness and progression? |
Day 3 | Future perspectives and next steps How should music education respond to AI, reflective practice and new forms of European partnership? |
Contributors include: Finn Schumacker, Magdalena Bork, Piret Hendrikson, Ozgur Mert Esen, Albert Sunyer, Jose Luis Miralles Bono, Afrim Shabani, and other representatives from YMTE member institutions, guests and partner organisations.