Are Conferences Still Useful?

After a couple years of virtual conferences due to the pandemic, many of us became used to attending music teacher conferences in the comfort of our own home, with coffee on the table and pajamas at the ready. After this experience, you might be asking yourself: is it really important to attend in-person conferences, or is this a thing of the past? Virtual conferences are much more convenient, and for a teacher on a budget, they are usually more cost-effective. But, there are a few reasons it might be worth considering a return to in-person conferences, if your personal circumstances and health allow it.

1. Get New Ideas and Stay Relevant

The first reason, and perhaps most obvious, is to soak in new ideas. Music teacher conferences usually have an assortment of workshops and sessions from which to choose. In fact, at some events, there are so many sessions that it can become difficult to decide which ones to attend! Some of the topics inform about new trends, teaching methods, and materials, making a conference a great way to stay current. 

Davis Dorrough shares that it can be difficult to retain specific knowledge from conferences, so if you want to implement the ideas, you have to make a plan. He creates flashcards using Quizlet to study so he can intentionally try out conference ideas in his lesson plans. (Be on the lookout for his upcoming blog on this!)

I personally really enjoy visiting exhibit halls at conferences. There are often great deals and giveaways on for materials, and I try to save a little space in my suitcase for any treasures I find! Some publishers offer to ship your purchases to your home and give a substantial discount, so this is a fantastic way to stock up on supplies for the studio.

2. Get Away and Feel Refreshed

Secondly, getting away from your primary location of work for a time allows you to refresh and reset. Even though it is a work trip, attending a music conference always feels like a kind of vacation for me! It’s a chance to mentally step back and reevaluate what we do each day. 

The change of pace and scenery breaks the monotony of regular daily activities, and sometimes, conferences are in very fun locations! (Can I request a certain organization choose Disney again in the near future?) Some conferences include one or more evening concerts as part of your registration. In past years, I have been able to hear artists that might not perform near my home city. And, as I go back to normal life, I feel rejuvenated and ready to be productive again!

3. Connect with Your People

Finally, one of the best parts of in-person conferences is, quite simply, the people! While it is possible to visit with old friends online, it’s not really the same as grabbing a cup of coffee in between sessions. And, it can be difficult to make a great connection with a new colleague while looking at a computer screen. Conferences allow for accidental interactions, and I’ve made so many of those accidental friends through the years. Every time I attend a music-teacher conference, I feel like I am with “my people,” and that invigorates me more than anything else! 

Going back to regular conference attendance may not be for everyone right now, but I am delighted that the opportunity is there and am looking forward to meeting up with some of you soon!