The Association for Popular Music Education is pleased to announce that our 2027 conference will be held at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA, from June 3–5, 2027.
Music has always been a meeting place—bringing together people, cultures, generations, traditions, technologies, and ideas. At the 2027 APME Conference in Columbia, South Carolina, we invite you to explore where music meets and what happens at those intersections.
The American South has long been a crossroads of musical traditions and innovation. Gospel, blues, soul, R&B, country, hip-hop, rock, and countless other musical expressions have emerged and evolved through diverse communities. Columbia offers a fitting setting to consider how music connects us to place, history, identity, and one another.
As educators, performers, scholars, creators, and advocates, we work where disciplines meet, tradition encounters technology, and students bring their own musical worlds into the classroom.
We welcome proposals across the broad spectrum of popular music education, including research, pedagogy, performance, community practice, entrepreneurship, technology, creativity, and innovation.
Come share your work, connect with our community, and meet us there!
TYPES OF SESSIONS
Pop 10!
Ten-minute presentations grouped by 3 or 4 related topics, followed by 20 minutes of facilitated discussion connecting the ideas presented.
Demonstration
20-minute presentation showcasing a teaching approach, resource, or technology, followed by 5 minutes of discussion.
Research
20-minute presentation sharing results from a research study, followed by 5 minutes of discussion.
Panel
45-minute session featuring multiple presenters discussing a single topic, followed by 10 minutes of discussion.
Workshop
20-minute interactive session with high audience participation, followed by 5 minutes of discussion. Proposals must include a detailed outline describing how the session will be interactive.
Soundbite Sessions (virtual only)
10-minute, pre-recorded presentation on any topic—research, teaching ideas, or creative approaches. Presenters upload to their own YouTube channel, and sessions are featured in APME’s Soundbite Sessions playlist, released and promoted during the conference.
IMPORTANT DATES
December 15, 2026: DEADLINE Submissions closed
January 15, 2027: Invited Presenters notified
February 1, 2027: Deadline to Accept
March 1, 2027: REGISTRATION OPENS
20% Early Bird Conference Discount (automatically applied)
April Schedule is live:)
April 1, 2027: Deadline for Presenters to Register for Conference
All Presenters and Co-Presenters must be active APME Members
June 1, 2027: Deadline for Attendees to Register for Conference
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2027 conference will open on March 1st via Sched. To access the Columnbia, SC conference registration link, please log in to your APME membership portal. Not a member?
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES
Individual – $275
K–12 Teacher — $150
Student — $75
Supporting Local Teachers & Underserved Communities
In support of music education in our host communities, APME is offering a limited number of sponsored conference registrations for Columbia-area K–12 teachers and underserved communities. These sponsorships provide complimentary registration, allowing local educators to connect, learn, and share alongside the wider APME community.
If you would like to be considered for a sponsored registration, please fill out this form by March 15, 2027.
Student Workers
We are seeking a limited number of local high school students to join our on-site conference support team. Selected participants will receive comped registration, community service credit, and provided meals in recognition of their service.
If you are interested in applying, fill out this form by March 15, 2027.
APME LIVE STUDENT FESTIVAL
The Association for Popular Music Education welcomes applications from student ensembles and soloists to participate in the APME LIVE Student Festival to be held at the University of South Carolina on June 3–4, 2027.
This non-competitive festival will provide an encouraging educational atmosphere for all to perform for peers and the local community and also take part in sessions to learn from a team of outstanding popular music clinicians and professional musicians. All middle school, high school, and collegiate popular music ensembles, producers, and soloists from ALL GENRES are encouraged to participate.
DIGITAL MUSIC SHOWCASE
We invite students of all ages to submit digital compositions for inclusion in our 2027 South Carolina Conference. Selected works will be featured across APME’s social media platforms and will serve as the official soundtrack of the conference.
Click Here to submit!
2026 Conference Sponsors
A profound THANK YOU to our conference partners. If you’re interested in supporting APME through conference sponsorship in Columbia, SC and/or Valencia, Spain, please visit our Support page.
