This Forum will encompass all aspects of instrumental and vocal teaching and learning that may take place in the home or school on a one-to-one or small group basis It will be of particular interest to the studio or peripatetic teacher who often works in isolation.

The strand could cover all aspects of the activity and include such areas as methods, motivation, personal relationships between teacher and pupil, the role of examinations and competitions, stage fright, stage presentation, assessment, small group teaching, teaching adult beginners, teaching students with disabilities, the all-round development of the performer, verbal and non-verbal communication between teacher and pupil, and the like.

This strand does not cover the training of choral and instrumental groups as such, but rather emphasizes the 'how to learn an instrument/voice' aspect of music education.

This is a new emphasis for ISME and those who feel that they may have something to contribute and share with their colleagues are invited to submit an application to ISME for presentation during the 2010 conference. Papers, workshops or masterclasses may be considered for inclusion. Applications from both Western and non-Western traditions are welcome.

For further information regarding the pre-conference meetings please contact Graham Bartle: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ISME Forum, Bologna 2008

In 2006 a preliminary meeting of interested persons was held just prior to the ISME conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The discussion centred around the need for ISME to concentrate on this important aspect of music education, and some possible areas of activity. There were delegates from 15 countries.

By 2008, a Steering Committee had been set up by the ISME Board to clarify and set out the aims and objectives of a Forum on Instrumental and Vocal Music Teaching, and a meeting was held just prior to the Bologna conference. 30 persons were in attendance, and five presentations were given covering various aspects of instrumental and vocal teaching. At that conference the ISME Board formally approved the Forum. Its first official meeting will be held in Beijing 2010. In Beijing, prior to the August 2010 conference there will be Forum meetings with intensive discussion, and the Forum's activities will then merge into the conference itself as a special strand, opening the discussion to a wider audience.