ISME2026 Montréal Conference Highlights
Montréal 2026: A World United Through Music Education
For six unforgettable days, Montréal became the center of the global music education community. The 37th ISME World Conference welcomed educators, researchers, performers, students, artists, and leaders from around the world to share ideas, make music, build relationships, and celebrate the power of music education.
Montréal 2026 at a Glance
And delegates left Montréal enthusiastic about the experience: 87% rated the overall conference Good or Excellent
Building Bridges Across the World
Guided by the theme Unity in Music Education: Building Bridges for All, the conference demonstrated what becomes possible when the global music education community comes together. The week began with a powerful Opening Ceremony featuring Indigenous Elder Kevin Deer, youth performers, Sherryl Sewepagaham, and the premiere of the ISME Fanfare. It set the tone for a conference grounded in connection, inclusion, creativity, and respect. Throughout the week, delegates filled the Palais des congrès de Montréal with conversation, collaboration, research, teaching, performance, and music from across cultures and traditions.
Ideas That Inspired
Four distinguished keynote speakers invited delegates to consider music education from different perspectives:
The popular Coffee with the Keynote sessions gave delegates an additional opportunity to continue those conversations in a relaxed and personal setting. Across more than 1,300 presentations, workshops, performances, symposia, and poster sessions, participants explored the questions shaping music education today—and the possibilities that will define its future.
New Spaces for Creativity and Connection
Creator Space brought a new energy to the World Conference. Across three days and 35 sessions, delegates explored new technologies, joined discussions, made music, exchanged ideas, and formed new collaborations. Delegates enjoyed the new spaces, particularly the Music Education Forum and Collaboration Zone. Their feedback also showed enthusiasm for expanding Creator Space across more days at future World Conferences. Creator Space created an exciting foundation for even greater collaboration among educators, artists, researchers, creators, and industry partners.
Connecting Global Ideas with the Classroom
The new K–12 Professional Development Experience welcomed 80+ educators from 13 countries for two days of practical learning designed specifically for classroom teachers. Its 31 sessions connected international perspectives with strategies educators could take directly back to their students. More than 90% of participants responded positively to the program’s quality, topics, speakers, and practical value.The response confirmed the importance of creating a dedicated place for classroom educators within the World Conference.
Music at the Heart of the Conference
Music was everywhere in Montréal—from formal concerts and spontaneous performances to jam sessions, demonstrations, and conversations that continued throughout the Palais.The official conference song, On est là, created by Audrey-Kristel Barbeau and her team at UQAM, captured the spirit of welcome and belonging at the heart of the week. The Toast to Music Education brought delegates together for an evening of music, celebration, and connection, including a special performance by singer-songwriter Tenille Townes.
Celebrating Excellence and Impact
The conference celebrated educators, researchers, students, and artists whose work is advancing music education around the world. Nearly US$30,000 in awards and support helped recognize outstanding work and expand access to the conference for presenters and delegates from different parts of the world. Tenille Townes also received the ISME ARISE Award, adding another memorable moment to a week centered on music, connection, and positive change.
Made Possible Together
A World Conference of this scale is created by an entire community. ISME extends its gratitude to the presenters, performers, keynote speakers, delegates, volunteers, partners, sponsors, exhibitors, institutions, and local hosts who made Montréal 2026 possible. Most importantly, thank you to every person who traveled to Montréal, shared their work, asked questions, made music, formed new friendships, and contributed to this extraordinary global gathering.
From Montréal to Thailand
The Closing Ceremony celebrated everything the ISME community had created together while beginning the next chapter in ISME’s global journey.Outgoing ISME President Professor Patricia A. González-Moreno presented the ISME flag to incoming President Professor Jody Kerchner, marking the transition to a new biennium of leadership. The global music education community will come together again for the 38th ISME World Conference, taking place July 9–14, 2028, at the College of Music, Mahidol University in Thailand. Montréal showed what happens when the world comes together through music.
Thank you for being part of it. We will see you in Thailand.
