Kent and Medway Music Conference 2026

Celebrating World Music Cultures!

We’re thrilled to invite you to this year’s Kent & Medway Music Conference – a vibrant, inspiring full-day event celebrating the power of World Music Cultures in school.

Our conference is designed for classroom music teachers, music leads, teaching assistants, headteachers, trust leaders – and anyone passionate about music education.

Get ready for a day packed with hands-on workshops, fresh ideas and unforgettable musical experiences, including:

• Lucky Moyo & Team bringing the rich harmonies of Isicathamiya (South African a cappella) – plus an energetic introduction to Gumboot Dancing
• Shiva Nova leading immersive workshops in Indian dhol and tabla drumming
• Ollie Tunmer taking your rhythms further with “Samba, and Beyond!”

…and much more still to come!

See more details about the workshops available below!

Explore the workshops

You will be able to choose from a range of practical workshops across three sessions. As part of the booking process, you will be asked to select one workshop from each session. Workshops are designed for different key stages and educational settings, so we encourage you to choose the sessions that best match the age groups and learners you work with.

Session 1

South African Gumboot Dancing and Singing (Aimed at KS1 & KS2)

Join Lucky Moyo and his team to experience the rhythms, vocals and movements of traditional South African gumboot dancing. A lively, energetic workshop that brings music and movement together. If you have a pair of wellies, bring them along!

Samba, and Beyond! (Aimed at KS3 & KS4)

Ollie Tunmer takes a deeper look into the rhythmic traditions of Brazil, exploring other Afro-Brazilian rhythms including samba, reggae, maracatu and samba funk. This will be loud! Ear plugs will be provided but bring your own if preferred. 

Soundabout (Aimed at Special Schools)

Join the team from Soundabout to explore inclusive musical approaches designed to support children and young people with complex learning disabilities and additional needs.

EYFS Workshop

Details TBC.

Session 2

Samba, and Beyond! (Aimed at KS1 & KS2)

Ollie Tunmer takes a deeper look (at Primary level) into the rhythmic traditions of Brazil, exploring other Afro-Brazilian rhythms including samba, reggae, maracatu and samba funk. This will be loud! Ear plugs will be provided but bring your own if preferred.

South African A Cappella Singing (Aimed at KS3 and beyond)

Explore the rich harmonies and traditions of South African a cappella singing with Lucky Moyo. Learn songs through the aural tradition and experience the joy and connection that group singing can bring. It’s sure to be an uplifting workshop!

Our Song: Folk Singing in Early Years Settings – The Art of Joining In (Aimed at EYFS/SEND)

This workshop will introduce you to traditional folk songs that aim to promote a sense of belonging for young children. We hope to show you the beauty and communal ownership of folk songs to give you resources and tools for your classroom to make these songs your own. 

Session 3

Singing Sea Shanties and Creativity in the Classroom (Aimed at KS2)

Discover the power and creativity that comes with whole-class singing! Through sea shanties, you’ll explore lyric writing, harmony creation and collaborative music-making, while developing practical strategies for teaching by ear without relying on traditional notation. This workshop celebrates youth-led learning and the creative process, leaving you with ideas and approaches to take straight back to the classroom. Feel free to bring an instrument if you’d like to join in.

Indian Dhol and Tabla Drumming (Aimed at Secondary)

Hosted by Shiva Nova, this workshop focuses on the intricate rhythms and traditions of dhol and tabla drumming. Develop a deeper understanding of these vibrant musical styles through practical exploration.

South African Gumboot Dancing and Singing (Aimed at EYFS & SEND)

Join Lucky Moyo and his team for an accessible introduction to the rhythms, vocals and movements of gumboot dancing, tailored for younger learners and those with SEND. If you have a pair of wellies, bring them along!

Kent Music is proud to bring these events to music educators across the county for free! There is a fee of £50 for independent schools and schools located outside of Kent & Medway. If you book a place please endeavour to attend or let us know if you can no longer make it as this may be preventing another person booking a space. Failure to attend, or cancellations received 14 days or less before the event start date will be subject to a charge of £50 to cover venue hire and food. See full Ts & Cs.