Greater Essex Music Hub Curriculum Conference 2026
Thursday 9 July 2026
Location: Hylands House Chelmsford
Programme Overview
All schools in Essex, Southend and Thurrock are invited to join the Greater Essex Music Hub (GEMH) on 9 July 2026 for a day exploring how all young people can receive the music education they so richly deserve.
Join music educators, practitioners, and partners for a day of inspiring, practical, and inclusive professional development. Our sessions span EYFS to KS5, explore classroom practice, inclusion, music technology, and provide real‑world strategies you can use immediately.
Whether you are a classroom teacher, instrumental tutor, music lead, or senior leader, there is something for everyone.
What to Expect
- Keynote exploring the national picture of music in schools
- Practical classroom strategies across all Key Stages
- Focus on SEND and inclusive music‑making
- Music technology for beginners through to GCSE level
- Singing, songwriting, composing, and performance
- Career pathways for young people into the creative industries
- Music Services help desks to ask questions and book provision for next year
Cost: £60 for teachers in Essex, Thurrock and Southend DfE funded schools, £140 for all others.
Create your own agenda!
This year you can create your own agenda – take a look at the options below:
- First sessions – for all delegates to attend
- Morning – choose one session
- Afternoon 1 – choose one session
- Afternoon 2 – choose one session
- Afternoon 3 – choose one session
First sessions – for all to attend
Keynote Speaker
Music in Schools – The National Picture
Audience: Everyone
Speaker: Gary Griffiths
This keynote session explores the current national landscape of music education in schools. Gary Griffiths will reflect on policy, access, challenges, and opportunities, setting the context for the day and highlighting how schools and music services can respond creatively and strategically.
Popular Music in and out of the Classroom
Audience: Everyone
Discover how to get the best out of popular music in your teaching. This practical session focuses on:
- Creating harmonies in singing
- Involving instrumentalists in pop ensembles
- Effective classroom and extracurricular approaches
The session also includes the launch of new pop music instrumental resources.
Morning session – choose one session from the following:
Bringing Stories to Life Through Music
Audience: EYFS–KS2
Speaker: Sue Nicholls
Explore how music can be integrated into reading sessions, helping learners engage with texts in a musical way. This session develops musical skills while bringing classic stories to life through sound, song, and creativity.
Mastering in Music Technology: Enhancing Student Compositions
Audience: KS3–KS5
Speaker: Max Wheeler
Learn practical mastering techniques to help students improve the clarity, balance, and impact of their GCSE compositions. Ideal for teachers looking to strengthen outcomes in music technology and composition.
Songwriting
Audience: KS2–KS3
Speaker: TBA
This session explores practical techniques for teaching songwriting, helping students craft original pieces with confidence and musical purpose. Suitable for teachers looking to build students’ creative voices through structured yet flexible approaches. By the end of the session we will have a song that we have created together.
Inclusive Instruments – Reflections from Schools and Partners
Audience: SEND and Inclusion
Speakers: George Webb & Michael Davidson
A highly practical discussion exploring inclusive instruments and approaches. Drawing on real examples from schools and partner organisations, participants will have opportunities to try instruments and reflect on inclusive classroom practice.
Making Theory Practical at KS3 and KS4
Audience: KS3–KS4
Speaker: Kristian Parkes
Discover hands‑on strategies to make music theory engaging and relevant. Through performance and composition, you’ll gain ready‑to‑use ideas that make theory fun, practical, and accessible.
Afternoon 1 – choose one session from the following:
Gospel Singing
Audience: Everyone
Speaker: Esther Farinde
Join together to sing and explore how gospel music develops:
- Vocal technique
- Group music‑making
- Harmony and ensemble skills
An uplifting, participatory session for all abilities.
Musical learning through play-based activities
Audience: EYFS
Speaker: Sue Nicholls
Practical teaching ideas for supporting the youngest learners. This interactive session shares games and songs rooted in music that are engaging, playful, and developmentally appropriate.
Music Technology – Beginners
Audience: KS2–KS3
Speaker: Max Wheeler
An introduction to music technology for the classroom. Learn how to bring contemporary genres into your teaching and support musical learning through accessible technology.
Composing at GCSE
Audience: KS4
Speaker: Kitt Gardner
Explore effective strategies to support students in developing and refining their composition ideas. This session focuses on boosting confidence and outcomes in GCSE composition.
Afternoon 2 – choose one session from the following:
Current Practice in Musical Inclusion
Audience: Everyone
Speaker: Michael Davidson
An introduction to the Greater Essex Music Hub Inclusion Strategy. Discover how inclusive music‑making is embedded across practice and how current research informs work to ensure all young people see themselves as musicians.
Develop important musical skills through creative approaches.
Audience: KS1
Speaker: Sue Nicholls
How can we organise high‑quality musical learning for 5–7 year olds? This session explores progression, skill‑building, and inspiring children to sing, play, and create their own music.
Aurora Classroom at KS3/4
Audience: KS3–KS4
Speaker: Rebecca Barnett
Explore how innovative classical performances from Aurora Orchestra can be used in the classroom to bring music to life and inspire young people.
Preparing for a Career in the Creative Industries
Audience: KS4–KS5
Speakers: John Hutchings & Brian
Gain insights into guiding students towards creative careers. This session offers practical advice on skills, pathways, and industry expectations that can be embedded into teaching and careers education.
Afternoon 3 – choose one session from the following:
This has worked for me! Inclusive Music Making – Practical Ideas
Audience: SEND and Inclusion
Speaker: Michael Davidson
A hands‑on session sharing practical strategies for inclusive music‑making, supporting participation and musical identity for all learners.
Aurora Classroom in Primary
Audience: EYFS–KS2
Speaker: Rebecca Barnett
Meet the instruments with Aurora Orchestra. Explore free activities and lessons in this interactive session designed to inspire musical curiosity in primary learners.
Cross‑Curricular YuStudio Creative Projects
Audience: KS3–KS4
Speaker: Max Wheeler
Explore cross‑curricular projects that combine video and music. Ideal for composing work that connects music with wider curriculum areas.
Vocal Warm‑Up Ideas
Audience: Everyone
Speaker: Emma Sweeney
Essex Music tutor Emma Sweeney shares tips and techniques to ensure that all singing is healthy, inclusive, and fun, with practical warm‑ups suitable for all.