The seven ISME Commissions and the ISME Forum offer members opportunities to explore a specialised area in greater depth than might otherwise be possible. Through the Commissions and Forum, ISME members share mutual interests and gather, collate and disseminate information on developments in their specialised fields within music education.
Each Commission hosts a preconference seminar just prior to each biennial ISME World Conference. Each Commission and the Forum then hosts sessions at the World Conference. The Commissions and Forum also undertake ongoing activity between conferences and many issue their own publications in their specialist area.
The Commissions are:
- Research Commission
- Community Music Activity Commission (CMA)
- Early Childhood Music Education Commission (ECME)
- Education of the Professional Musician Commission (CEPROM)
- Commission on Policy: Culture, Education and Media
- Music in Schools and Teacher Education Commission (MISTEC)
- Music in Special Education and Music Therapy Commission
And the Forum is:
- ISME Forum for Instrumental and Vocal Teaching