International Scientific Symposium 2026:
MUSIC EDUCATORS IN A CHANGING WORLD
Visions, Practices, and the Future of Music Education
The Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana invites you to participate in the two-day international symposium Music Teachers in a Changing World: Visions, Practices, and the Future of Education, which will take place on 25–26 November 2026 at the Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana (Kongresni trg 1, Ljubljana).
The symposium aims to address topics related to the work of music teachers across different educational contexts and levels, as well as the education and professional preparation of future music teachers. We live in a time of profound societal change, presenting numerous challenges for teachers, school leaders, universities, and educational policy. During the two-day symposium, papers and presentations will address the following themes:
-
The school and music education of the future;
-
The professional identity of the music teacher (competencies, reflective practice, ethical frameworks, social and cultural contexts, and mobility);
-
Challenges facing Slovenian music teachers following the completion of the curriculum reform (revised curricula and teacher autonomy, the use of teaching materials in music education, and music activities within the extended primary school programme);
-
School choirs (current challenges and the future of school choral education);
-
Music teachers in the digital age (the role of technology in teaching, digital literacy of teachers and students, digital safety, and the challenges of using artificial intelligence);
-
Innovations and examples of good practice in music teaching within general and specialist music education;
-
The education of future music teachers (study programmes, competencies, learning outcomes, partnerships with schools, teaching practice, and mobility);
-
Communication and cooperation with parents;
-
Continuing professional development of music teachers.
Researchers, academics, education professionals, and teachers from all areas of music education in both general and specialist music education are warmly invited to contribute. The symposium programme will include research presentations, examples of good practice, workshops, and poster presentations.
The official languages of the symposium are Slovene and English. Translation of the Slovenian-language contributions into English will be provided.
The deadline for submitting a paper title, an abstract (up to 300 words), and the presentation format is 11 September 2026. Please submit your proposal using the online submission form available at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/zATjREQrnj
Early Bird Registration will be open until 15 October 2026.
Keynote speakers:
Uroš Ocepek, PhD, Secondary Technical and Vocational School Trbovlje:
Beyond Natural and Artificial Intelligence: Nurturing Innovators with Conscience, Courage, and Responsibility
and
Prof. Thade Buchborn, PhD, Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, Deutschland:
Music Education for Future-making? Identifying norms, traces of change and future perspectives
MORE INFORMATION: https://www.simpozij.ag.uni-lj.si/
Prof. Dr Branka Rotar Pance, president