As Brass for Beginners programs continue to expand across the United States, we're also broadening our outreach through state music education conferences as part of our 2026–27 Conference Tour. Brass remains largely absent from general music classrooms—but more educators are looking for accessible, meaningful ways to introduce students and future teachers to the fundamentals of brass playing.
We've found that the best way for educators—whether they have a brass background or not—to envision teaching beginning brass is to experience the natural trumpet firsthand. Much like the recorder provides an accessible introduction to the woodwind family, the natural trumpet provides a simple and effective entry point into brass. Just a few minutes with the instrument demonstrates how approachable brass can be and why the natural trumpet is such an effective tool for general music, beginning band, and university brass methods.
As you plan your professional learning this year, we hope you'll join us at one of the conferences below, experience the program firsthand, and explore new ways to introduce brass in your classroom or teaching.
2026 Wisconsin State Music Conference
October 28-31, 2026
Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, Madison, WI
2026 Third Altenburg International Baroque Trumpet Competition
November 19-22, 2026
Trompeten Museum at the Schönau Castle, Bad Säckingen, Germany
2026 NYSSMA 90th Annual Winter Conference
December 3-5, 2026
Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, NY
The 80th Midwest Clinic
December 16-18, 2026
McCormick Place West, Chicago, IL
California All-State Music Education Conference
January 13-17, 2027
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Sacramento, CA
Illinois Music Education Conference
January 27-30, 2027
Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, IL
Maryland Music Education Association Annual State Conference
February 5-7, 2027
Baltimore Hilton Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD
59th NAfME Eastern Division In-Service Conference
April 1-4, 2027
Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI
International Trumpet Guild 51st Annual Conference
May 18-22, 2027
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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