We strive every day to provide the highest quality instruction of musical skills, concepts, and techniques to students at all levels. But we also know there are many other things happening in our classrooms that contribute to learners’ success in school and in life. At this year’s conference, we’ll examine not only what makes for quality musical instruction, but also what happens when we go beyond the notes. How does our work support and teach the durable skills of NC’s Portrait of a Graduate? And how are we shaping the future of music education to address changing needs and make music accessible to all learners? Let’s explore and celebrate the myriad ways NC music educators can positively impact the lives of students and the wellbeing of communities.

NCMEA invites session proposals to be submitted for consideration for the 2025 NCMEA Professional Development Conference in Winston-Salem, NC on November 8-11, 2025. Conference participants come from all educational levels and include K-12 students and teachers, pre-service collegiates, and higher education faculty in the fields of general music, band, chorus, jazz, orchestra, guitar, piano, popular music, and music technology.

We invite proposals that cultivate a vision of music education that is inclusive, collaborative, and expansive, keeping in mind the ideals set forth by NCMEA’s strategic framework:

• Reflect diversity in our profession and represent the wide and changing spectrum of our population. This representation may include various cultures, abilities, economic backgrounds, and gender identities;
• Develop leadership to advocate for music education in the classroom, in school programs, and in the community and represent current trends in education policy at the local, state, and federal level;
• Provide opportunities for all students to create, perform, respond, and connect to various styles of music;
• Enhance music teaching through combining effective and dynamic new practices with proven strategies.

The deadline for submission is February 28, 2025 at 11:59pm EST. Incomplete proposals will not be considered.

NCMEA Section and Committee Chairs will review and invite speakers/clinicians to present at Conference. All submitters will be notified of the status of their proposals in April 2025.

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

• The standard session length is 50 minutes. Applicants have the opportunity to request longer session times.
• Sessions should be standards-based, interactive, and engaging.
• NCMEA is committed to representing diverse voices at our conference. We encourage those who identify as people of color, gender nonconforming, having a disability, LGBTQIA+, and other under-represented members to apply.
• NCMEA encourages submissions from all ages and experience levels.
• Multiple presenters per proposal are welcome.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

• Provide a title and brief overview description of your proposed session as it would appear in the conference program.
• Identify the type of session and intended audience.
• Include a short bio for each presenter in the proposed session.
• Identify the NC Essential Music Standards or 2014 National Core Music Standards used in your presentation.
• Identify action items or strategies from your session that will impact the instructional practices of attendees.
• Identify whether your session includes consideration of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) and, if applicable, describe specific ways it addresses these issues.
• Identify what technology will be integrated into your session, if applicable.