On behalf of Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA), welcome to the new school year! We are genuinely excited for all that 2026-27 holds for music education in Wisconsin, and one great way to celebrate is by joining us at the annual Wisconsin State Music Conference, Oct. 28-31, in Madison.

Our state music conference has been a beloved tradition for six decades. I honestly still remember my first conference and how it shaped my thinking, handed me teaching tools (and confidence), and helped me feel connected to all those veteran music teachers I looked up to. This conference promises the same joy, learning and connection.

A Jam-Packed Schedule
No matter what you teach, there is something for you, with so many expert presenters and performing groups. From Wednesday’s TI:ME technology workshop to Saturday’s WSMA Middle Level State Honors concerts, it is an amazing four days. Don’t miss Thursday’s WSMA High School State Honors concerts, this year in the beautiful Hamel Music Center on the UW campus. We have an exciting Exhibit Hall (thank you to our music merchant partners!), networking sessions to connect with colleagues, and our annual Wednesday night Presidents’ Welcome Reception, open to all, where we present awards and honor achievement in our profession.

Featured Speakers
We welcome Dr. Anita Collins all the way from Canberra, Australia, a leading expert on the new neuroscience of music and the brain (and a music teacher herself!). You probably remember her viral video “How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain, currently at 17m views! She is the founder of Bigger Better Brains and she makes multiple appearances at our conference, including a day-long workshop on Saturday.

And don’t miss hearing Cecil Adderley, our NAfME National President, and the one and only “Dr. Tim” Lautzenheiser, who needs no introduction.

Our Theme
Do you know about the current buzz about music and the brain? Well, this conference will not only help get you up to speed, but will give you solid tools for how to advocate for music education (science-based!). We’ve got a thousand other reasons why music matters, but right now it is really powerful to deeply understand what’s actually happening in our brains when we make music, and why it matters. You are serving a noble profession!

Randal Swiggum
WMEA President