Greetings CMS Members,
CMS has a new mission statement and a charge to “Advance Music.” We are excited about positioning CMS as the organization that can serve all of us in higher education, as we advance music toward the future.
We will gather in Spokane, Washington, for our 68th national conference in a few weeks. This idea of advancing music is essential to CMS and is woven into every gathering we host. We have designed this conference to engage through insightful presentations, inspiring addresses, and unique concert experiences. The energy and momentum generated by the robust discussions will propel us forward as we come together to lead change for the coming decades.
The 2025 program committee, led by Nicole Molumby (Program Chair), with Kate Pukinskis (Composition Subcommittee Chair), Clara Yoon (Performance Subcommittee Chair), and Alisha Nypaver (Scholarship, Research, & Pedagogy Subcommittee Chair), has constructed an especially engaging 2025 CMS National Conference. With the theme of “Creative Ecosystems: Music, Research, Practice, and Impact,” this conference will explore the positioning of creativity at the center of our programs.
We have several esteemed speakers to highlight. The Trotter Lecture will feature the innovative performing artist, Dessa, an American singer and rapper who exemplifies the future fluidity needed to prepare students for the ever-changing musical landscape. We are proud of our partnerships, and this year’s ATMI Keynote Speaker will feature Will Kuhn, who focuses on the intersection of creativity with technology.
To wrap up the conference (and strategically placed just before the open bar at the Presidents’ Reception!), we will host a panel discussion focusing on innovation in higher education around the four pillars of belonging, creativity, technology and AI, and advocacy. This conversation will directly impact the 2026 CMS Think-Tank Summit, which will be hosted this coming January.
As the President of CMS and on behalf of all of our members, I want to express our gratitude to our sponsors of this conference: Yamaha, Auralia & Musition, Connect4Education, NAMM, The MLC, Steinway, Shure, Splice, Routledge, and Dorico, who have all participated in meaningful ways at this conference. We thank them for serving our community. We are also sincerely grateful for the support of The CMS Fund, led by President Bill Pelto, for its support of CMS scholarship and student member initiatives during the conference. I am especially grateful to the staff of The College Music Society, including the leadership of Jeff Loeffert, Hannah Pearson, and Charlie Chadwell, as well as the outstanding logistical support provided by Ani Berberian and Sheridan Mackey, CMS Administrative Interns. Our organization is truly thankful for your tremendous dedication, work ethic, and ability to deliver consistently.
I grew up in Moscow, Idaho, a 90-minute drive from Spokane. In my youth, Spokane struggled, like many American cities, to revitalize its downtown. Last summer, I had the fortunate opportunity to visit Spokane for the first time in 20 years, and the rich culture and vibrant transformation blew me away. The Davenport Grand Hotel is legendary and will be a serious upgrade for us. It is especially striking with the newly renovated and nearby Riverside Park, which has excellent restaurants and breweries within walking distance.
This conference is going to be brilliant and engaging. I hope you can join us, and I’ll see you in beautiful Spokane!
BC
Brian Kai Chin
President, College Music Society
A few highlights:
Wednesday, October 29
Attendee Welcome & (Free!) Film Showing @ Magic Lantern Theatre
(Special preview screening of El Canto de las Manos)
25 W Main Ave #125, Spokane, WA 99201
Doors open: 6:30 pm; Film begins at 7:00 pm
Thursday, October 30
Welcome Breakfast & Opening Plenary Session, ft. Michael Bracy & Nicole Molumby
Breakfast starts at 7:30; session begins at 8:00 am
Grand Ballroom A
Dorico Industry Spotlight Session
10:00 – 11:00 am
Meeting Room 6
SHURE Industry Spotlight Session
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Meeting Room 6
Plenary Panel: Cascadia Collective
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Birch Ballroom
Defining Professional Futures – Plenary Mentorship Session hosted by Early-Career Music Faculty Cohort
4:30 – 5:25 pm
Grand Ballroom A
Celebrating CMS Scholarship Reception
5:45 – 6:45 pm
Terrace Room East
Friday, October 31
Yamaha Industry Spotlight Session
9:45 – 10:45 am
Cedar Ballroom
Trotter Lecturer – Dessa
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lecture, followed by Q&A
Grand Ballroom A
ATMI Keynote Speaker – Will Kuhn
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Meeting Room 4
Splice Industry Spotlight Session
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Grand Ballroom A
CMS Chapter Presidents' Panel
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Birch Ballroom
Steinway Industry Spotlight Session
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Grand Ballroom A
Post-Concert Reception & Pub Trivia Night
7:45 – 9:15 pm
Maple Ballroom
Saturday, November 1
Auralia & Musition Industry Spotlight Session
10:00 – 10:45 am
Meeting Room 6
The MLC Industry Spotlight Session
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grand Ballroom A
CMS Student Bill of Rights – Panel by Student Advisory Board
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Maple Ballroom
Presidential Plenary – Summit Roundtable Think-Tanks
4:45 – 6:15 pm
Grand Ballroom A
Presidents' Reception
6:30 – 7:45 pm
Terrace Room East
