The Music Leadership Forum to Offer Strategies for Navigating Crisis and Change
This daylong seminar for music leaders and administrators is hosted by the American Musicological Society (AMS).
The AMS is committed to advancing our understanding of music through education and open inquiry....And no matter what actions federal or state governments take, that’s what we will continue to do.”
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, October 10, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the American Musicological Society (AMS) will host its first-ever Music Leadership Forum, a pivotal daylong event designed to support music leaders and administrators. Titled "Navigating Crisis and Change," the forum offers a vital opportunity for professionals to develop actionable strategies, foster community resilience, and build strategic partnerships in these challenging times.— Siovahn A. Walker, R. F. Judd Executive Director
This essential gathering will provide attendees with critical insights and practical tools to protect their work and lead with integrity in a shifting landscape. The program is structured to facilitate deep learning and collaboration through a mix of general sessions, focused breakout discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. Leaders from across the music and education sectors will share expertise on topics ranging from ethical leadership and data-informed decision making to bridging the gap between performance and scholarship.
The forum will be held in the Northstar Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hotel on the day before the 2025 AMS-SMT Joint Annual Meeting, the world's largest music studies conference. The forum will begin with welcome remarks at 9:00 AM from the Society’s Vice President, Bonnie Gordon (University of Virginia). The day's agenda includes two general sessions: "The State of Humanities and Arts Programs in the US" at 9:30 AM by Robert B. Townshend, Director of Humanities, Arts, and Culture Programs (American Academy of Arts & Sciences) and "Mind the Gap: Bridging Stage and Study" at 1:30 PM, led by Martin Sher, Vice President and Chief Artistic & Operating Officer (Detroit Symphony Orchestra). Attendees can choose between two breakout sessions in the morning (10:30 AM) and two in the afternoon (2:30 PM). Morning sessions include "No Hacks, No Waterloos: Timeless Lessons in Ethical Leadership," presented by Siovahn W. Walker, R. F. Judd Executive Director (American Musicological Society) and "2025 Survival Guide: Protecting Your Work in a Shifting Landscape," featuring Jess Birken, Attorney/Owner (Birken Law Office). Afternoon breakout options include "Maintaining Values-Based Decision Making During Times of Change," delivered by Paul Babcock, Chief Executive Officer (MacPhail Center for Music) and "The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Tales from the Trenches," led by William Quillen, Dean of the Conservatory of Music (Oberlin College). The day concludes with small-group insight sharing and a closing reception.
The Music Leadership Forum is a must-attend event for organizational and departmental leaders, music administrators, music thought leaders and professionals, and advocates for music and the arts seeking to build resilience and connect with peers who share their professional and ethical commitments. This collaborative environment is designed to foster mutual support and collective action, ensuring attendees leave with renewed purpose and a strengthened professional network.
The Music Leadership Forum is part of the American Musicological Society's broader efforts to address the significant challenges facing the music and education sectors today. At a time when both the federal government and many local and state governments are withdrawing support for research, education, and the arts, the Music Leadership Forum brings together principled leaders and advocates committed to championing the enduring value of music and open inquiry and finding alternative sources of financial, intellectual, and moral support.
Moreover, the Music Leadership Forum is just one of several AMS initiatives designed to push back against the recent onslaught of challenges. For example, the Society has just launched the Coalition of Music Organizations, a voluntary association of small to medium-sized music organizations dedicated to mutual aid and resource sharing. Through these and similar efforts, the AMS is working to foster collaboration, amplify collective impact, and ensure the resilience of the music studies ecosystem.
As AMS Executive Director, Siovahn A. Walker, PhD, MPA, puts it: "The AMS is committed to advancing our understanding of music through education and open inquiry. That's what we do. And no matter what actions federal or state governments take, that’s what we will continue to do. The Music Leadership Forum is about attracting and strengthening those who want to do this work with us."
Registration for the Music Leadership Forum is now open. Register now to secure your place at this important event.
About the AMS
The American Musicological Society (AMS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research in the various fields of music as a branch of learning and scholarship. The AMS supports a vibrant community of scholars, educators, and leaders through publications, conferences, and advocacy, fostering a deeper understanding of music's role in culture and society and promoting initiatives that ensure the field's resilience and growth.
Siovahn A. Walker
American Musicological Society Inc.
6464841344 ext.
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
