Promoting, Supporting and Connecting everyone involved in music education across the island of Ireland.

We are delighted to announce that the 12th Annual Conference of SMEI will be hosted by the Department of Music at University College Cork from 29-30th November, 2024.

The name “Gearóid Grant” is without doubt, synonymous with “legendary” status in the orchestral/wind band/musical theatre/music education world. His life-long passion and commitment to music education across the island of Ireland is unquantifiable, yet, undeniable. Throughout his vibrant career as a post-primary school teacher at FCJ Secondary School Bunclody, Wexford for over 35 years, coupled with his 42 years as a conductor with the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, Gearóid’s unique, charismatic approach to teaching has been nothing short of inspiring. His innate ability to connect, to inspire and ignite the latent potential of all young budding musicians leaves an indelible handprint on so so many. 

Gearóid’s dedication to music education is further evident through his work devising, presenting and conducting the acclaimed Irish Times series ‘Music in the Classroom’ which introduced music to 30,000 Irish children annually over a 30-year period.

Founding SMEI Chair Prof. John O'Flynn and Founding SMEI member Dr Patricia Flynn launched their inaugural volume of their Music Education series at the 11th Annual Conference of SMEI in November 2023.

Music Education for the Twenty-First Century: Legacies, conversations, aspirations is a must read!

Congratulations to the editors and contributors on such an important Book Series.

We eagerly await Volume 2

TU Dublin Conservatoire are delighted to announce that they will be hosting the 31st EAS (European Association for Music in Schools) from 12th– 15th June 2024. This is very exciting news as this conference attracts a large number of music educators from all across Europe and beyond, and it is the first time it will be coming to Ireland. TU Dublin are also hoping to welcome a strong contingent of Irish music educators (music teachers, teacher educators, students, researchers etc) whose work is related to music education in schools.

The Call for Papers is now open; Deadline is 4th December

We invite you to participate in the 11th annual Society for Music Education conference on November 3rd and 4th 2023 at Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin.

This conference will provide a platform for researchers, professionals, scholars, practitioners and musicians to exchange and share their knowledge, information, music, new ideas, and experience in person with peers. This gathering will help delegates to establish research relationships and to establish international partnerships for future collaborations. We hope that the outcome will lead to significant contributions to the knowledge base in the field of Music Education.

Please click the link below for more information…

Music news, reviews and opinions from the Journal of Music. Articles on funding, links to jobs, concerts and festivals, Irish language, traditional music, new releases, events and more articles.

Dr Ita Beausang, a patron of IBSL was awarded the Irish Research Council Harrison Medal 2022 in November 2022 at a reception at Technical University, Dublin Conservatoire.

This is in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the study of music in Ireland.

Dr. Marie McCarthy is awarded the 2022 Senior Researcher Award for her outstanding contributions to NafME and music education. Marie is an honorary member of SMEI, and has been a thoughtful keynote speaker. Congratulations!