69th WFIMC General Assembly
When: 25–29 June 2025, Harbin, China
Hosted by the Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld International String Competition, this international conference will be the first of its kind in China and spotlight the dynamic blend of history, culture and music that defines Harbin. Nicknamed the “Paris of the East”, Harbin boasts a rich cultural heritage influenced by Russian, Chinese and Jewish traditions, but is also
home to the Harbin Symphony Orchestra, an outstanding conservatory, concert hall and a futuristic opera theatre. Delegates will engage in various forums and round tables on digital marketing, AI, music education and career support. A large part of the conference will be open to the public. Join the WFIMC in Harbin to meet leaders of the world’s leading international music competitions as well as music professionals from China and beyond! wfimc.org/
Manchester Classical
When: 27–29 June 2025, Manchester, UK
Award-winning festival Manchester Classical returns to The Bridgewater Hall for a weekend of music, collaboration and discovery. From 27 to 29 June 2025, Manchester’s world-class ensembles—including the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera, Riot Ensemble, Manchester Collective and RNCM—unite to celebrate the city’s vibrant classical scene. The programme features headline concerts,
free performances, family activities and a grand finale with a new commission by Iain Farrington. Highlights include Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood performing Steve Reich, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and a live performance
of Box of Treasures with film.
AMA Conference 2025: Amplify
When: 9–11 July 2025, Edinburgh, UK
Dedicated to turning up the volume to help you stand out from the crowd, this year’s Arts Marketing Association Conference is the place to come together to magnify your capabilities, build connections and share your passion for the work you do. Whether you consider yourself to be working in marketing / communications / PR / audience development / digital / leadership (or one of the many other titles marketers are given) then this year’s conference has something for you.
This is your chance to join a chorus of over 600 arts, culture and heritage sector professionals to discover how to magnify your capabilities, influence and impact, whilst cutting through the noise to understand what really matters. The speaker line-up includes Sophie Lewis (CEO, National Children’s Orchestras), Tessa Gillett (Head of Brand and Communications, Trinity Laban), Kaasam Aziz (Head of Content, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures), and Leon Gray (Head of Ticketing & Audience Experience, Edinburgh International Festival).
Pacific Contact 2025
When: 2–5 October 2025, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Pacific Contact is British Columbia’s annual performing arts showcase conference and brings together hundreds of performing arts professionals for approximately
40 live, multi-disciplinary performances, including
music, dance and theatre. Attendees can explore the Contact Room exhibit hall, participate in networking events, panels, meetings, and workshops, and discover new artists. Highlights include the ‘Pitch & Perform’ sessions, offering artists five-minute opportunities to showcase or pitch their work. The conference also features a gala awards dinner with live performances
and dancing.
bclive.ca/pacific-contact-2025/
Classically Black
When: 18 October, London, UK
Presented by Black Lives in Music (BLiM), Classically Black returns to Kings Place for a powerful one-day festival reimagining the future of classical music through Black and global majority perspectives. The programme features performances by Sabi Ensemble, Simmy Singh and The Jollof House Party Opera, a keynote from
Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, a panel discussion on equity in classical music and Evolving Sounds—a showcase for emerging artists. A youth workshop led by composer Pete Letanka nurtures the next generation, while
DJ Spoony leads a special fifth anniversary celebration for BLiM with live UK garage and R&B performances.
kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/black-lives-in-music-presents-classically-black/
WOMEX
When: 22–26 October 2025, Tampere, Finland
WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) is celebrating its 31st edition in Tampere, Finland. With over 2,600 professionals (including 260 performing artists) from 90 countries, it is the most international and culturally diverse music meeting in the world. The conference features a trade fair of over 700 exhibitors, talks, films and showcase concerts from around the globe.
