Dorset Schools are invited to attend the Somerset Music Conference that is taking place on Friday 16th October.
I am pleased to confirm the details of the Somerset Music Conference, taking place on Friday 16th October at Taunton Racecourse.
The conference is designed for all key stages and school phases, offering a valuable opportunity to connect and network with colleagues from across the county. Alongside the keynote, the day will include a range of practical workshops, giving delegates the chance to explore new ideas, share practice, and develop their skills as music educators.
We are thrilled to announce Charles Hazlewood as our keynote speaker. A visionary conductor celebrated for pushing boundaries and redefining what orchestras can be, Charles is renowned for creating electrifying performances and championing new ways of thinking. Expect an engaging and uplifting keynote that will spark fresh ideas and challenge us all to think differently.
Hazlewood is not only an internationally acclaimed conductor, but a true innovator and disruptor in the music world. His work goes far beyond the concert hall—he is known for blending musical genres, redefining who music is for, and creating powerful shared musical experiences.
One of his most groundbreaking achievements is founding the British Paraorchestra, a trailblazing professional ensemble of disabled musicians. This work challenges traditional expectations of ability, inclusion, and excellence, offering powerful inspiration for inclusive practice in schools and new ways of thinking about removing barriers in the classroom.
His work also spans collaborations with cutting-edge artists, festivals, and educational projects, often combining classical music with technology and contemporary creative approaches. These projects are designed to ignite curiosity and emotional connection—something we all strive to achieve in our teaching.
The day promises to be both inspiring and practical, supporting your ongoing professional development and bringing fresh ideas back into the classroom.
The cost for the conference is £95.
To book a place, please use the link below. Each school should have a designated person with login details for the booking system.
The conference can be found on the SSE website under ‘Training & Events’ – Primary Music Conference 2026 – Course code: SC – MUS-1026-T001
https://supportservicesforeducation.co.uk/Event/299509
We look forward to seeing you at the Conference.
Somerset Music Conference – workshops
| Session 1 11.30-12.30 | Session 2 1.30 – 2.30 | Session 3 2.45 – 3.45 |
| Eduqas – Elise Arnold Supporting Composing at KS4 KS4 | Charanga – MusicFirst – Max Wheeler and Mark Cardy Making the Most of the Secondary Music Suite KS4 | Teachers Rock – Debbie Kent Rise Up: Singing, Wellbeing & RSL Vocal Accreditation KS4 |
| Sing Up Changing voices: approaches to understanding and support young singers. KS2/3 | Teachers Rock – Debbie Kent Rise Up with Teachers Rock KS2/3 | Charanga – Max Wheeler ‘Teaching with YuStudio’ KS2/3 |
| Charanga – Mark Cardy ‘Creativity in the music classroom’ KS1/KS2 | Young Sounds Discover programme KS2 | Somerset Music – Nicola Thompson Cracking the code – demystifying musical notation for KS2 KS2 |
| Somerset Music – Martha Williams Introduction to Ocarina EYFS/KS1 | Somerset Music – Sephi Williams Getting the most out of your instrument box EYFS/KS1/Inclusive teaching | Somerset Music – Julia Hurley Songs and games EYFS/KS1 |
| ABRSM – Sam Wyne Supporting Musical Progress with Music Medals All delegates | ABRSM – David Gray Developing Musicianship Skills with Classroom 200 All delegates | Somerset Music – Sephi Williams Review & revising your Music Development plan All key stages |
| Somerset Music – Gareth Clarke ‘From chords to TAB’ All delegates |