by Victoria Holmes
Almost a year ago, myself and the other Note Weavers were reflecting on our recent events, considering content/engagement and contemplating future events. We decided to connect with AMP (formerly NYMAZ) also based in the North of England, to share our thoughts, discuss ways to engage our audiences and ideas for collaboration. Both organisations had been running lots of online events and had seen engagement for those events steadily dropping. Whilst online events still have purpose and are valuable, we felt we wanted to add in some ‘in-person’ events as well. The outcome…an Early Years Music Conference!
Further discussions around our work and feedback from previous events helped us decide that the conference would focus on the theme of inclusion in the early years. Location? We went for somewhere we knew was accessible and (roughly) in the middle of our two areas…the beautiful Skipton Town Hall. Date? 1st March 2024. Speakers? Lots of discussions and suggestions of who our potential speakers might be. Unintentionally, the majority of our speakers were from the North…not a deliberate choice but highlights just how much is going on up here.
Although we were confident in our concept and line-up, for the event to be a success we would need delegates! To ensure we were being inclusive and accessible, we offered a range of ticketing prices – free tickets, Early Bird discounts, bursaries- we wanted anyone who would like to come to be able to come. Watching the number of tickets sold steadily increase and then be three tickets shy of selling out was amazing. We had a conference!
Fast forward to the day and what an amazing day it was. I personally, always get so much out of listening to others talk about their practice, the resources they use/how they use them and the ways in which they work. This day was no different. There is a lot of inspiring work going on, our conference only just touched the surface and we packed in as much as we possibly could. The talks really highlighted that there is so much to consider in working inclusively and ensuring equal access to all, that even if we think we are working inclusively there is always so much more we can do and more we can consider.
There was a real buzz around the whole day. It was great to re-connect with people that I had only seen on zoom for the past 4 years, as well as making new connections. From the general hubbub, it appeared it was the same for everyone else too. A sense of relief that the day went off without a hitch and a hope that everyone got as much (if not more) out of the day as I did.
Final thought…same time next year?
Photo courtesy of Cloudpoizon
Spinning Threads 