Oslo, 30 September – 2 October 2026
Hosted by the Barratt Due Institute of Music, Oslo, Norway
The Young Music Talents in Europe (YMTE) network is pleased to invite you to attend the YMTE Annual Conference 2026, taking place in Oslo from 30 September to 2 October 2026.
YMTE is a European network of specialised institutions dedicated to pre-college music education and the development of highly talented young musicians. Through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint projects, the network supports artistic excellence, pedagogical innovation, and international cooperation across Europe.
The annual conference is a key European meeting point for institutions and professionals working in this field, offering a platform for exchange, collaboration, and strategic dialogue.
Who should attend
The conference is open to:
Schools, organisations, and professionals working with or interested in pre-college music education and talent development
Programme highlights
The conference combines professional exchange and artistic experiences, including:
- Plenary sessions
- Working group discussions
- Breakout sessions
- Informal networking opportunities
Key themes include:
- Advocacy and visibility for music education in Europe
- International collaboration and Erasmus+ opportunities
- Digitalisation and new learning formats
- Talent development pathways for young musicians
- Pedagogical innovation and institutional development
Help Shape The Program
We invite both members and non-members to contribute to the conference programme.
You are welcome to propose:
- Plenary topics
- Working group themes
- Breakout session ideas
Submissions may address artistic, pedagogical, organisational, or strategic questions relevant to pre-college music education.
Deadline for submissions: 31 May 2026
👉 Submit your ideas for conference topics by clicking on the button underneath:
Practical Information
- Dates: 30 September – 2 October 2026
- Location: Barratt Due Institute of Music, Oslo
- Conference fee: Members: 175 EUR/Non-members: 225 EUR
(Includes participation, meals, and concert tickets) - Recommended hotels:
Thon Gyldenløve, Other Thon Hotels,
Strawberry Hotels
👉 Preliminary conference registration
Parallel member projects
During the conference period, Barratt Due will also host:
- A student ensemble project (YMTE Wind Orchestra and chamber ensembles)
- A collaborative teacher exchange project involving YMTE member institutions
These activities are an integral part of YMTE’s work but are reserved for member institutions only.
Conference Artistic programme
All conference participants will experience high-level artistic performances, including:
- Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra & Young Philharmonic
(1 October 2026, Oslo Concert Hall) - YMTE Wind Orchestra at the Nobel Peace Centre
(2 October 2026)
Featuring talented young musicians from across Europe, this concert is part of the official programme of the Nobel Peace Centre and marks the UN International Day of Non-Violence.
Why attend
By attending, you will:
- Gain insight into European best practices in talent development
- Connect with a wide network of specialised institutions
- Explore opportunities for collaboration and Erasmus+ partnerships
- Engage in strategic discussions shaping the future of the field
- Experience a programme combining professional exchange with high-level artistic performance
Contact
For questions or expressions of interest, please contact:
Mattias Lundqvist, Secretary General
mattias.lundqvist@bdm.no
We warmly welcome you to Oslo and look forward to engaging with you at the YMTE Annual Conference 2026.
With kind regards,
YMTE Management Board
Barratt Due Institute of Music