Submit a Session Proposal

2027 Wisconsin State Music Conference

What defines a complete education? Even Plato had an opinion on this–he included philosophy, mathematics, poetry, astronomy, gymnastics, and notably: music. But what makes a complete music education?

This conference will explore the range of this question. What do we mean by a comprehensive music education in 2027? And how might it shape a young person, for a lifetime?

The first National Standards for Music (1994) enlarged the definition of music education: playing, singing, composing, improvising, and reading music were joined by listening, analyzing, interpreting, discussing, evaluating, and understanding music in relation to history and culture. Now a music education looked bigger and wider than simply playing concerts.

The last thirty years (and the 2014 National Core Arts Standards) have further expanded our understanding of all that a robust music education can do for a child. How to look at a 9 year old and imagine them as a 49 year old and how in particular their music education has shaped them. How they recognize patterns, connect ideas, embrace the unfamiliar, notice beauty, make meaning, and find personal relevance.

The COVID pandemic and the increasing emphasis on social emotional learning (SEL) also considerably expanded music education’s relevance, so outcomes like empathy, resilience, the patience to stick with slow, careful work, the importance of community and belonging–these all have also become integrated features of a sound music education.

A student who learns to see the world through the lens of music sees possibilities. Their perception is forever changed. Their whole self–mental, emotional, even spiritual—is shaped in profound and lasting ways.

The 2027 conference also coincides with the 50th anniversary of CMP (Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance), which began in Wisconsin and has been going strong since its inception. Although the conference will include the usual wealth of sessions focusing on all aspects of a comprehensive music education, its title, Shaping Sound Musicians, is a nod to CMP, as the title of the first book published about CMP. “Shaping Sound Musicians” has become a catchphrase for the values of a rich and comprehensive music education for all students.

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Session Proposal Opens Feb 1, 2026

About the Sessions

• Full Sessions
  • Length: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Types of Full Sessions:
    • Presentation Sessions are 1-3 people presenting material to the attendees.
    • Panel/Discussion Sessions have a moderator and no more than 6 panelists discussing a topic in the presence of attendees.
    • Demonstration Sessions require a group of musicians (student or adult) to assist the presenter in his/her presentation. Demonstration groups are the responsibility of the presenter and must be limited in size. Session description should include number of performers.
• Mini Hands-On-Training (HOT) Topic Sessions 
  • Length: 30 minutes
  • Types of HOT Topic Sessions:
    • Focused pedagogy content
    • Quick sessions and expert interactions to better learner and educator skills
    • Demonstration or sharing of specific skills, technique, resource, etc.

Eligibility

• There are no restrictions on who may submit a proposal.
  
• Session should focus on music, education and related topics. (See the category and standards lists shown below.)
• Sessions aligned to the conference theme are encourages; see the “Submit a Proposal” web page and form for more detailed information about the 2027 theme.

Timeline

• Make Session Proposal for 2027 Conference: Session Proposal Form
• Deadline for submission: Session Proposal Form closes December 1, 2026
• January-April 2027: Session evaluation completed by the conference committee.
• Notification of Acceptance
  • Full Session Notification: On or before May 1, 2027 for non-sponsored sessions; Sponsored sessions are notified following confirmation by committee.
  • Hands-On-Training (HOT) Topic Session Notification: On or before June 1, 2027 for non-sponsored sessions; Sponsored sessions are notified following confirmation by committee.
    Presenters will be notified by the conference committee.

Required Materials for Proposal

As part of the proposal be prepared to include

• Session title and description
• Name and contact info for all presenters/panel members
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging level (see descriptors here)
• Disability and accessibility level (see descriptors here)
• Sponsor company (if any)
• Target grade level (Early Childhood, Middle School, etc.)
• Session category/track (Advocacy, Band, Choir, Curriculum, etc.) Up to three (3) may be indicated. (See below for full list.)
• Which standards does the session address? (Create, Perform, Respond, Connect)

Session Proposal Opens Feb 1, 2026 

View Category List