The global future-focused music education conference
The Big Gig is a place for innovators and ideators in school music education to come together to jam, sing, rap, sample, loop, prompt, deconstruct & create. Run by the team at Musical Futures International and coordinated by Music Teachers In International Schools, the event draws together hundreds of music educators from around the world to shape the future of music education. Now in it's 4th year, the Big Gig heads to Bali, Indonesia for a special two-day (plus bonus Gamelan day option!) practical professional learning conference! Click here to learn more.
When and where:
Dates: Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March, 2026
Timings: 9am - 4pm (both days)
Venue: Dyatmika School, Bali, Indonesia
Cost: $680 AUD per person
-> includes two full days of workshops, your 1-year Starter Pack Subscription (valued at $145AUD), lunch and snacks for both days, and your Musical Futures Teacher Certification at Level 1, 2 or 3. See FAQs for accomodation recommendations, inclusions/exclusions.
EXTRA DAY OPTION - Indonesian Gamelan Immersion on Friday 27th March, 2026. Learn more here.
Key Topics/Workshops:
Practical resources to teach ukulele, guitar, keyboard & bass – great for primary & secondary.
Electronic Music Pedagogy – teach any style using any DAW or hardware. Ideal for iGCSE & IBDP.
Dive into Steps To Songwriting – now with AI-powered prompts.
Explore powerful AI tools to spark student creativity.
Inclusive classroom workshopping strategies using percussion & pop music.
#MusicTechPathways – from sampling & looping to synthesis & sound design.
Creative classroom singing through 'Explore, Recreate, Create'.
Build a Musical Futures-style curriculum tailored to your setting.
CHECK OUT THE FULL PROGRAM
Workshop Facilitators
More announced soon!
EXTRA DAY OPTION - Indonesian Gamelan Immersion
Join us on Friday 27th March for an immersion in
Indonesian Gamelan Music with Mekar Bhuana.
9:00am - 4:00pm
"Mekar Bhuana’s gamelan workshop programmes are in-depth and informative. Taught by English-speaking researchers and practitioners - including a native English speaker ethnomusicologist, supported by instructors and assistants - these programmes will suit people who prefer a broader overview of the artforms, more than just the hands-on experience."
Price: $190AUD for the additional day
(Please add the extra gamelan day to your cart at the checkout!)
Inclusions:
- Transport to/from from the 101 Hotel
- Traditional Indonesian lunch & drinks
- 4 hours of Gamelan and Balinese Dance workshops with expert Balinese gamelan musicians.
Accomodation
Our recommended hotel is the Hotel 101 in Sanur. Click here to learn more and book directly with the hotel.
Of course you are welcome to stay elsewhere, however, please make sure you can get to the Hotel 101 each morning to get the bus to school otherwise you can make your own way by Grab/Gojek
Transport
You will need to make your own way from the airport to your hotel.
We will arrange transport for you to/from the school & gamelan workshop venue.
Transport around Bali is easily arranged using the Grab app.
Getting to Bali
You will need to fly in/out of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport
Please check your VISA requirements for entering Indonesia. Information can be found here: https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/
Please Note: All foreign tourists travelling to Bali are required to pay a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person. You can pay on arrival in Bali.
Here's what teachers say
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this workshop will suit ALL music teachers working with students from K-13. Content will cover primary/elementary, middle school and high school settings and there will be lots on offer over the weekend!
You are more than welcome to bring your preferred instrument to the conference! If not, you are welcome to use the instruments available at Dyatmika School. They have an wonderful space with lots of instruments!
We are suggesting the following accomodation option for this Big Gig:
- Hotel 101 in Sanur: https://phm-hotels.com/hotel/1O1BOS
We have 3 self-selected Certification Levels that you can achieve through your participation at this event. For full details on what is involved in each level, see here.
If you are brand new to Musical Futures, we suggest you start at Level 1. If you've done a professional learning event with us, you can look at Level 2 or 3.
Starter Pack - you will automatically receive your 1-year subscription to your Starter Pack as part of your conference fee.
Full Access - if you already have the Full Access subscription, you will receive a discount (to the value of the Starter Pack i.e. $145AUD) from the cost of your subscription when it's up for renewal! Nice 
Other subscriptions - similar to the example above, if you have a subscription that is above the value of the Starter Pack, you will receive a discount to the value of the Starter Pack ($145AUD) off your subscription.
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
After payment has been received the following policy will apply should a delegate wish to cancel their registration:
- 100% refund if cancelled prior to two weeks from the event.
- Within 2 weeks of the event, you will receive a 50% refund of your registration fees.
- Within 3 working days of the event, you will receive no refund.
Please contact our team at info@musicalfuturesinternational.org to discuss any changes to your booking.
Please also re-read the Terms & Conditions to check how changes to your booking may impact you.
No. Any music teacher who feels they would benefit from the event may choose to attend! We've had class teachers, university lecturers, instrumental teachers and university students join us and they've loved it!
p.s. if you're a university student, please mention this in your application we will give you a discount!
Your standard Big Gig registration fee includes two full days of practical workshops between 9:00am - 4:00pm. It includes 1 year access to the hugely popular Musical Futures International resource platform (valued at $145AUD). It also includes snacks (morning tea/afternoon tea), refreshments and lunch on both days.
Your registration fee does NOT include accomodation, transport (flights/taxis etc.), other meals not mentioned above, or any other expenses associated with the conference.
You have two options:
1) You can choose register and pay directly via Credit Card through the website.
2) You can add your selections to the cart and an invoice will be auto-generated for you with all of the necessary banking details. Your school can then pay by credit/debit card or direct bank transfer. Once payment has cleared, you will be officially registered for the conference.