ISME Elections

Call for ISME Board of Directors Nominations|Call for ISME President-Elect Nominations|ISME Nominations Process

Call for ISME Board of Directors Nominations (2026-2028)

The International Society for Music Education (ISME) invites members to submit nominations for Member Representatives to serve on the Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term.

Serving on the ISME Board is both an honor and a responsibility. Board members help shape ISME’s global direction, advance music education across cultures and regions, and represent the diverse voices of our international community. As part of the Society’s leadership, Board members provide oversight of strategic priorities, contribute to major initiatives, and ensure that ISME remains the leading global voice for music education. This role offers a unique opportunity to build connections, foster intercultural understanding, and actively support the growth and long-term sustainability of ISME.

Member Representatives for the Board of Directors serve for a two-year term and may seek re-election for a second two-year term, for a maximum of four consecutive years.

We welcome nominations from music educators who are willing to represent the diverse global membership of ISME.

ISME invites members to nominate who:

Demonstrate a strong commitment to music education in its broadest sense,
Possess personal and professional attributes that align with the Purpose of the Society, as stated in Article II of the ISME Constitution,
Can contribute effectively to the governance and activities of the Society,
Have the capacity to work collaboratively across a diverse Society, as evidenced by their ability to:
- Articulate and communicate a clear, forward-looking agenda for ISME,
- Draw on their record of service within ISME,
- Represent ISME effectively as a member of the Board of Directors, and
- Build consensus and foster inclusion within the society in ways that are sensitive to diversity and cultural issues.
Are committed to working collaboratively with individuals and groups,
Are willing and able to allocate the necessary time to the office of Member-At-Large: a two-year term (with the potential to re-stand for a second two-year term).

Eligibility

To be eligible nominees must:

Be a member of ISME for at least four consecutive years immediately prior to the closing date for nominating.
Agree and plan to attend:
- A Board meeting on the Saturday immediately following the ISME World Conference,
- A mid-year in-person Board meeting in the non-conference year
- A Board meeting before the next ISME World Conference starts, and
- Online meetings and discussions as requested.

Important Note: Each nominee should be aware that, if elected, they are required to attend the Saturday Board meeting immediately following the ISME World Conference in Montreal in July 2026. They should also be present at the ISME General Assembly in July 2026 when results of the election are announced.

The Application Process

Each member of ISME may nominate no more than two candidates for the twelve Board of Directors positions. Nominators must secure the signature of the prospective nominee(s) and submit the completed nomination form for each nominee, along with the required nomination materials, to the ISME CEO.

All nomination forms and supporting materials must be submitted electronically via the link provided above

Member Representatives for the Board of Directors serve for a two-year term and may seek re-election for a second two-year term, for a maximum of four consecutive years.

Board of Directors Nomination Materials

A 150-word short biographical statement in English (suitable for publication on the ISME website), including the nominee’s professional employment history and involvement with ISME and any other music education organizations (if applicable).
A 500-word abbreviated curriculum vitae in English identifying key professional employment history, ISME membership history, involvement with ISME, and any other music education organizations. Education and scholarly/creative achievements may be added as word count permits.
A 200-word personal statement in English explaining why the nominee wishes to serve and what they would bring to the society (suitable for publication on the ISME website).
A recent portrait-style photograph (suitable for publication on the ISME website).
A signed declaration of consent to stand for election.

The ISME CEO reviews nominations to ensure that they meet the stated nomination criteria. Names of eligible nominees who have agreed to serve are then forwarded by the ISME CEO to the Nominating Committee for consideration.

The deadline for electronic receipt of nominations is 11:59 PM PST, 28 February 2026.

Call for ISME President-Elect Nominations

The International Society for Music Education (ISME) invites members to submit nominations for the position of President-Elect for the 2026–2032 leadership cycle.

The role of President-Elect is one of the most significant leadership positions within ISME. The person elected will serve a six-year term: two years as President-Elect, two years as President, and two years as Immediate Past President. This progression ensures continuity of leadership, the sustained advancement of ISME’s mission, and stability in guiding the Society’s long-term priorities.

Serving as President-Elect is an opportunity to shape the future of ISME and to influence music education globally. The position calls for vision, dedication, and a commitment to intercultural understanding and advocacy. It is both an honor and a responsibility that places the elected candidate at the heart of ISME’s strategic direction and international impact.

We welcome nominations from music educators who are willing to represent the diverse global membership of ISME.

ISME invites members to nominate who:

Demonstrate a strong commitment to music education in its broadest sense,
Possess personal and professional attributes that align with the Purpose of the Society, as stated in Article II of the ISME Constitution,
Can provide effective leadership of the governance and activities within the Society,
Have a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively across a diverse Society, as evidenced by their ability to:
- Articulate and communicate a clear, forward-looking agenda for ISME,
- Lead Boards, large teams, and international initiatives,
- Draw on their extensive record of service within ISME,
- Represent ISME effectively on the global stage, and
- Build consensus and foster inclusion within the society in ways that are sensitive to diversity and cultural issues.
Are able and willing to commit the necessary time to serve in the roles of President-Elect, President, and Past-President (a total term of six years).

Eligibility

To be eligible nominees must:

Be a member of ISME for at least four consecutive years immediately prior to the closing date for nominating.
Agree and plan to serve the Society for the entire six years of the term.
Across the six years of their appointment:
- Attend all Board and Executive meetings of the Society and any other meetings which are stipulated in the ISME Bylaws or for which they have been assigned, and
- Represent ISME across the Professional, Institutional and Corporate partners of ISME and other global arts, educational and cultural organizations with whom ISME is associated.

Important Note: Each nominee should be aware that, if elected, they must attend Board and Executive meetings immediately after the ISME World Conference in Montreal in July 2026. They must also attend the ISME General Assembly in July 2026, when the election results are announced. For official meetings in years when there is no conference, and for any other meetings that the Presidents are asked to attend, travel, accommodation, and living expenses can be claimed. Further details are available by contacting isme@isme.org.

The Application Process

Each member of ISME may nominate no more than one candidate for ISME President-Elect. Nominators must secure the signature of the prospective nominee and submit the completed nomination form for each nominee, along with the required nomination materials, to the ISME CEO.

All nomination forms and supporting materials must be submitted electronically via the link provided above.

President-Elect Nomination Materials

A 500-word biographical statement in English (suitable for publication on the ISME website), that includes the nominee’s professional employment history and involvement with ISME, and experience with any other relevant organizations. Please include your experience across different roles (e.g. leading boards, managing large teams, international initiatives or equivalent).
A 500-word abbreviated curriculum vitae in English identifying key professional employment history, ISME membership history, involvement with ISME, and other relevant organizations. Education and scholarly/creative achievements may be added as word count permits.
A 500-word personal vision statement in English explaining why the nominee wishes to serve and what they would bring to the Society (suitable for publication on the ISME website). This should include a statement that articulates a clear forward-looking vision for music education and the ability to lead an international organization.
A recent portrait-style photograph (suitable for publication on the ISME website).
A signed declaration of consent to stand for election.

The deadline for electronic receipt of nominations is 11:59 PM PST, 28 February 2026.

The ISME Nomination Process

The Chair of the 2026 Nominating Committee is the Immediate Past President of ISME.

The Nominating Committee provides the Board with a balanced slate of strong, experienced, and ISME-knowledgeable candidates for approval, taking into account both qualifications and a diverse spread of gender and geographical/cultural representation. The Board is responsible for recommending to the ISMEmembership a slate of not more than two nominees for the position of President-Elect and not more than 24 nominees for the 12 available Board of Directors positions.

The Nominating Committee therefore works to:

Select a slate of candidates submitted by the membership.
To ensure diversity and geographical representation, proactively seek out ISME members to serve as candidates.
Extend the nomination submission process (by up to 14 days) if the pool is deficient in qualifications, number, or diversity.
Approach identified potential candidates for nomination within 14 days after the close of nominations to ensure a balanced slate.

Announcement of Candidates

Once the Board has approved the slate, the names of the candidates, along with each candidate’s photo, personal statement, and curriculum vitae, will be announced to the membership on the ISME Website and in the Newsletter no later than 31 May 2026.

Member Elections

The President Elect and Board of Directors are elected by ISME members using the electronic voting system on the ISME website (only electronic voting is accepted).

Announcement of Voting Results

The results of the 2026 election will be announced to the membership during the General Assembly at the ISME World Conference in Montreal in July 2026 and shared through newsletters and electronic Postcards sent to members by the ISME Office.

Further Information

Please refer to the ISME Constitution and Bylaws, or contact the ISME CEO at isme@isme.org.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to lead ISME and advance music education worldwide.

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