The Society addresses each year a topic of importance to its membership. These topics are addressed each spring, during each CMS Regional Conference, and receive further focus during the annual National Conference in the fall. Past topics include the following:
- 2003: What you can do with a Degree in Music: Career Options Outside of Music Teaching and Performance
- 2004: Given three wishes, what would you change about your role as a musician/teacher in academe, in your community, and in American society?
- 2005: Considering Curricular Challenges: Balancing Emerging Student and Cultural Demands with Traditional Teaching and Learning
- 2006: Education in music is every musician's responsibility
- 2007: The Future of CMS: Beyond Our Disciplines
- 2008: The Relevance of the Current Curriculum to Today's Students
- 2009: Music in a Changing Society
- 2010:
- 2011: Cultural responses to economic challenges
- 2012: ADVOCATE!
- 2013: Inclusivity and Invention
- 2014: Confluence: Music, Culture, and Community
- 2015: Sustainability
- 2016: Transformation
- 2017: Reflect — Celebrate — Innovate
- 2018: Diversity and Inclusion
- 2019 & 2020: Fostering Equity and Opportunity in Music
- 2021–2023: Leading Change
- 2024-2025: GROW. CREATE. LEAD.