Welcome again to the Music & Drama Education Expo London – our original flagship event, returning to London's Olympia on 4 and 5 March. This year, over the two days, there are more than 100 presentations, discussions and workshops for you to explore and enjoy. Best of all, the event is totally free to attend.
As always, we've put the conference programme together in consultation with a specialist advisory board. In this month's news pages you'll find details of how you can apply to be part of the advisory board for future events – recommended for anyone who wants to help shape the future of the UK's biggest free CPD event for music and drama teachers.
On pages 36–37 and 40–41, you'll find complete timetables, detailing all the sessions we have on offer over the two days. Visit the Expo website for more detail on each session. You'll also get our comprehensive print show guide at the event itself, which includes full session descriptions, speaker biographies and more.
To help you navigate the programme, we have added coloured dots to each session (check the key at the bottom of each programme page to decipher these) showing you which areas of specialism each session is intended for – although we hope that all sessions will provoke thought and raise interesting and transferable ideas, whatever your working context.
Theatres
Keynote Theatre
Our Keynote Theatre features high-profile speakers and our most in-demand sessions. Having programmed this year's Expo during a time of political upheaval and uncertainty, we have redefined our idea of ‘political’ sessions for 2020. Rather than ministerial addresses and political policy panels, we have opted for vital topics such as reducing barriers for deaf and disabled learners, embracing youth culture and – of course – Ofsted, specifically its new primary music requirements.
Seminar Theatre
Leading practitioners and award-winning educators present on the latest trends and approaches in the Seminar Theatre. Look out for supportive feedback in the arts classroom, lifelong career development and new directions in piano teaching.
The Workshop
Make some noise in our interactive Workshop! You'll leave these sessions armed with plenty of practical ideas and new skills to incorporate into your teaching. Look out for Bollywood Brass, plus ideas for forming inclusive school orchestras and projects on music and wellbeing.
The Space
Our quiet standalone studio space hosts many of our drama sessions, providing a place dedicated to working on movement, improvisation and acting, as well as a couple of practical music and early years sessions.
The Exhibitor Showcase Theatre
This is the place to find out more about some of the most useful music education and technology brands. Want some focused instruction on a new instrument, product, software or app? You'll find it here.
Sharing Lab
Come and join in the conversation and hear from fellow delegates with thoughts on what works for them. Each session is themed and led by an expert. The opportunity here is to talk as a group and discover new ideas together – and perhaps expand your professional network.
Performance stage
This central platform in the main exhibition space will host Gareth Malone for our Day 1 warm-up. It will also feature our fireside chat interviews, performances and even the giving of an award or two. Adjacent to a café area, it's a great place to soak up the overall atmosphere.
Exhibition
The Expo's many sessions count for a lot, but its extensive exhibition gives an unrivalled opportunity to check out what's new from just about every manufacturer, publisher, retailer, exam board, charity and support organisation in the business. Bring a large bag for all the freebies!
We can't wait to welcome you to this year's Expo. Save valuable time on the day by registering in advance for your free place at www.musicanddramaeducationexpo.co.uk/london
