Accelerate
A 2-Day Intensive for Classroom Music Educators
Intentionally Online for Maximum Accessibility | July 29-30, 2026
You already know how this usually goes.
You sign up for a conference. You attend a few sessions, but you're mostly there for the hang. You take some notes you fully intend to revisit. You come away feeling inspired and excited to implement some of the things you heard.
Then school starts again.
How much of what you "learned" did you actually implement?
Classroom music educators face complex demands that require more than an overview.
Accelerate was built to change that outcome.
What Is Accelerate?
Accelerate is a two-day, depth-driven professional learning intensive designed specifically for classroom music educators. It's delivered live online, with full on-demand access for one year after the event.
Rather than trying to cover everything, Accelerate creates focused space to work through what actually moves the needle—carefully, practically, and with support.
Learning at Accelerate centers on:
Sustained, focused workshops (4–6 hours each, not 50-minute sessions)
Real-world classroom application
Professional Trainer-led instruction
Global accessibility (15+ countries, diverse teaching contexts)
The goal is not inspiration alone (though you will definitely leave inspired). The goal is progress you can actually use.
How Accelerate Is Different
Most professional learning conferences follow familiar formats. Accelerate was intentionally designed around how teachers actually learn:
Four-stage instructional model: Explanation → Demonstration → Live Implementation → Targeted Feedback. You don't just hear what to do. You work through how to do it.
Research-backed content. Workshop topics were identified through direct input from hundreds of classroom music educators about challenges they actually face—not trends or what's easy to schedule.
Presenter training for online delivery. Facilitators are trained specifically to teach interactively in a virtual environment, not just adapted from in-person presentations.
Content that stays with you. One year of on-demand access means you can revisit, review, and continue implementing long after the live event ends.
How Learning Actually Happens at Accelerate
We take instructional design seriously—especially online.
Presenters are trained and supported to teach using a four-stage learning model designed for real transfer into practice:
Information & Explanation
Presenters introduce concepts with clarity, context, and purpose.Demonstration
Skills and strategies are modeled live—not described abstractly.Implementation
Participants actively apply what they are learning during the session.Evaluation & Feedback
Presenters assess learning in real time and offer targeted guidance.
This structure transforms workshops from passive viewing into active professional learning—the kind that actually changes practice.
Quality Instruction, Real Impact.
Quality Instruction, Real Impact.
Why Presenting at the Inaugural Conference Matters So Much
This is the first Music Teacher Guild Conference.
That matters.
Inaugural Attendees:
Help establish the overall success of the event 🏆
Shape the culture, tone, and expectations for years to come 🥇
Are recognized as founding members, not interchangeable attendees 🛡️
For many attendees, this represents:
Professional distinction & demonstration of influence
Long-term contribution to the direction of the Music Teacher Guild
Meaningful leadership beyond their local context
You bring your own unique vibe to this event. We value that.
This event is a chance to help build something that does not yet exist.
International Access. Universal Application.
The Music Teacher Guild Conference is not limited to a single region, system, or subject matter.
Educators participate from over 15 countries, representing public schools, private studios, community programs, and higher education settings worldwide.
We believe that all music educators deserve access to the highest-quality professional learning experiences, regardless of where they teach in the world.
We’re designing this conference so even if you can’t attend live, you will have a full week to experience the transformative sessions of Accelerate.
And Music Teacher Guild Members will have 365 Days to continue learning.
Accelerate Workshops
Each workshop was selected based on actual research data and direct input from hundreds of classroom music educators about the challenges they face—not trends or what's easy to schedule.
This ensures there's at least one high-octane workshop for every classroom music educator, regardless of how long you've been teaching or which music subjects fill your schedule this year.
Music Teacher Guild Presents
Accelerate 2026 Workshop Sessions
Research Backed Topics Designed to Help You Succeed
12 deep-dive workshops designed to fill the real gaps music educators face.
Showing 12 workshops
Classroom Management for Ensembles
"Managing 50+ Students Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Voice)"
Spend less time managing and more time making music. You'll leave with practical checklists and ready-to-use strategies that help you reclaim up to 120 hours of instructional time per year.
- Design and implement a comprehensive ensemble classroom procedures system
- Apply transition management techniques that minimize instructional time loss
- Demonstrate de-escalation strategies for large-group settings
- Create accommodation checklists for exceptional learners
- Develop a personal action plan for implementing three new strategies
Research: Cited by 11/19 participants as a critical preparation gap
Elementary Music Classroom Management
"Herding Cats Who Also Have Recorders"
Turn chaos into creativity—without raising your voice. You'll leave with age-appropriate procedures, attention signals that actually work, and strategies for managing 25 wiggly bodies at once.
- Establish developmentally appropriate routines for instruments and transitions
- Implement attention signals matched to different activity types
- Apply strategies for managing recorder, Orff instruments, and movement
- Create behavior support plans that keep the music going
- Design a first-week procedures teaching sequence
Research: Adapted for developmental context
Differentiated Instruction for Ensembles
"Teaching the Prodigy and the Struggler in the Same Rehearsal"
Reach every musician—not just the ones who "get it" quickly. You'll leave with diagnostic tools, part-writing strategies, and rehearsal techniques for mixed-ability groups.
- Use diagnostic strategies to quickly assess individual skill levels
- Design flexible part assignments and challenge extensions
- Implement peer mentoring structures
- Apply accommodation strategies for students with IEPs and 504 plans
- Create a differentiation action plan
Research: Cited by 9/19 participants
Student Engagement for the TikTok Era
"Competing with a 90-Second Attention Span (And Winning)"
Capture attention and build buy-in—even when practice "isn't fun." You'll leave with attention-capture techniques and gamification strategies.
- Apply research-based attention strategies for music learning
- Design micro-goal structures that build momentum
- Implement gamification without trivializing learning
- Create relevance connections between repertoire and student interests
- Develop engagement interventions for disengaged students
Research: Cited by 7/19 participants
Beyond Band & Orchestra
"Mariachi, Steel Drums, and Everything Your Degree Didn't Cover"
Expand what's possible in your program—and who feels welcome in it. You'll leave with foundational pedagogy for mariachi, modern band, and steel pan.
- Identify non-traditional ensemble options for their community
- Apply fundamental approaches for mariachi, modern band, world music
- Access repertoire and PD resources for new genres
- Navigate cultural authenticity considerations
- Create a feasibility plan for adding a non-traditional offering
Research: Cited by 8/19 participants
Music Technology: Mixing & Production
"Stop Asking the IT Guy to Record Your Concert"
Record, mix, and produce—without an audio engineering degree. You'll leave with hands-on DAW skills and a recording workflow you can teach students.
- Navigate a DAW interface and execute basic recording workflows
- Apply fundamental mixing concepts: levels, panning, EQ, compression
- Record live performances with proper mic placement
- Design introductory music tech lessons
- Complete a simple mixing project
Research: Addresses music production gaps
Mastering Communication
"Emails That Get Read, Conversations That Don't Backfire"
Say what you mean—and have people actually hear it. You'll leave with email templates, difficult conversation scripts, and advocacy language.
- Write parent communications that get read and acted upon
- Navigate difficult conversations using advocacy language
- Apply conflict resolution techniques
- Build cross-departmental relationships
- Create a communication toolkit with templates
Research: Cited by 12/19 participants—highest-cited gap
Time & Logistics for Secondary Educators
"Running a Program Without Running Yourself Into the Ground"
Get the non-teaching stuff done—so you can get back to teaching. You'll leave with calendar systems and workflow strategies that cut admin time in half.
- Implement planning systems that prevent last-minute crises
- Create performance logistics checklists
- Design efficient trip planning workflows
- Apply time-blocking strategies
- Build a master calendar template
Research: Cited by 10/19 participants
Music Program Finances
"Don't Screw Up the Money (And Other Career-Saving Advice)"
Finally feel confident about where every dollar goes. You'll leave with a budget template, inventory tracking system, and fundraising action plan.
- Create and manage a comprehensive program budget
- Implement inventory tracking systems
- Design fundraising campaigns that don't burn out families
- Navigate booster organization relationships
- Apply fiduciary best practices
Research: Cited by 9/19 participants
Tech Tools & AI for Administration
"Let the Robots Handle the Paperwork"
Work smarter, not later. You'll leave with a curated tech toolkit, AI prompt templates, and workflows that automate the tedious stuff.
- Evaluate and select admin technology tools
- Apply AI tools to common administrative tasks
- Implement SmartMusic, Charms, or similar platforms
- Design efficient digital workflows
- Create a technology adoption plan
Research: Cited by 10/19 participants
Lifestyle Management for Career Longevity
"Still Teaching (And Still Loving It) at Year 25"
Build a career you can sustain—not just survive. You'll leave with a personal growth audit and long-term career sustainability plan.
- Conduct an honest self-assessment of strengths and growth areas
- Design a personalized professional development roadmap
- Implement sustainable self-improvement practices
- Build feedback-seeking habits
- Create a 3-year career development plan
Research: Cited by 10/19 participants
Work-Life Balance & Personal Resilience
"Boundaries That Stick (Even During Marching Season)"
Protect your energy so you can keep doing what you love. You'll leave with boundary-setting scripts and stress management techniques.
- Identify personal burnout warning signs
- Set and maintain professional boundaries without guilt
- Apply stress management techniques
- Navigate the "first in, last out" culture
- Create a personal resilience action plan
Research: Cited by 9/19 (resilience) and 8/19 (boundaries)
Have Something More to Contribute?
We’re seeking impactful sponsors, partners, and instructors.
It’s time to build your fan base.
You Probably Have Questions. Here are answers.
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Accelerate is scheduled for July 29–30, 2026. Sessions run from about 8am-4pm US-Pacific Time.
Since we serve educators globally, we're mindful of time zone differences. Full details about scheduling and any replay options will be available when registration opens.
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Accelerate uses a four-stage instructional model: explanation, demonstration, live implementation, and targeted feedback. Rather than passive viewing, you'll actually practice strategies during the workshop with real-time guidance. Sessions are 4–6 hours (not 50-minute overviews) and designed by educators with deep instructional design experience—not conference production companies.
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Absolutely. You will be able to access any workshop while it’s live, and as a Music Teacher Guild member, you’ll have 365 days after the conference to access the recordings. Pricing and workshop availability will be detailed at registration.
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Music Teacher Guild Members will have full on-demand access to all workshop recordings for one full year after the event concludes. This gives you time to revisit content, implement strategies, and apply what you learned without rushing.
Non-member registrants will have one week to access all of the recorded sessions.
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Each workshop is 4–6 hours. The exact length varies by topic and includes breaks. You can anticipate a full workshop taking most of a day, with built-in pauses for implementation practice.
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You'll need a stable internet connection, a device (computer recommended for full interaction), and comfort using basic video conferencing features: video, audio, chat, and screen sharing.
No prior experience with the specific workshop topic is required—workshops are designed for educators at different skill levels who want to go deeper.
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Pricing will be announced when registration opens. We're committed to making quality professional learning accessible, and we'll offer multiple pricing options.
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Accelerate is designed for classroom music educators who want deeper engagement with specific topics. Whether you're early-career, mid-career, or experienced, if you're looking for professional learning that respects your expertise and provides practical application, this is for you.
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Your registration includes:
Live access to your selected workshop(s)
Full on-demand access to recordings for one year
Workshop materials and resources
Access to the Music Teacher Guild community
Additional options (like group rates or member discounts) will be available at registration.
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While CEU approval ultimately depends on state and district requirements, we will provide a completion certificate that includes estimated instructional hours and module descriptions. This documentation is designed to support your Continuing Education Unit submission process.
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Yes. Many educators may attend together - we encourage it! If you're interested in group registration discounts or coordinating with colleagues, let us know at hello@musicteacherguild.org—we can discuss options.
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Accelerate is designed for classroom music educators, but if your role involves teaching classroom music in any context (school-based, charter, international school, etc.), you're welcome to register.
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Technical support will be available throughout the event. If you experience issues, contact hello@musicteacherguild.org and we'll help you get reconnected or provide alternative access.
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Yes. Workshops are designed for active participation. You'll have opportunities to ask questions, share challenges, and engage with instructors and peers. The chat, Q&A features, and breakout discussion spaces are all built into the experience.
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Yes. Full refund details will be included with your registration confirmation.