FAME 2026 Biennial Conference
Join us for a weekend of tuneful, beatful, and artful celebration with the global FAME Community.
What is the Biennial FAME Conference?
Every two years, the FAME Community gathers for a weekend of tuneful, beatful, and artful celebration with teachers and clinicians from around the world.
Attendees will enjoy essential professional development opportunities in First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege and related topics. Learn from successful FAME teachers, share ideas, network with like-minded professionals, and reinforce why the Feierabend Approach is so important to the world of music education.
Connect with colleagues and make new friends as we build community together through making music, learning, and sharing.
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars NOW for July 17-19, 2026 and stay tuned to this page for updates and registration information.
Registration
The registration link will be live here in Fall 2025. Early bird and member discounts will be available.
Schedule
Friday: Opening at 6:30 PM with the Strawberry Social & Folk Dance
Saturday: Morning and afternoon sessions, lunch, cocktail hour, dinner banquet, and Community Sing
Sunday: Morning sessions ending with FAME Membership Meeting
Pre-conference workshops on July 16–17 (optional, additional fee)
Advocating for School District Support
Use our downloadable template to help secure professional development support from your school administrators.
Proof of Attendance and Illinois CPDU Credit
ILMEA provides Certified Professional Development hours for Illinois educators. Educators wishing to get PD credit will need to sign in at a provided link at the beginning of the day and then sign out at the end of the day’s final session. Please note: Illinois educators must be in attendance for all of the PD sessions for that day–partial credit hours are not available. The sign-out form includes a brief evaluation where you must enter your IEIN (Illinois Educator Identification Number) to download your ISBE professional development certificate. Forms are available at the registration desk daily.
Graduate Credit
Opportunities for graduate credit will be announced.
Location
The 2026 Conference will take place at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn
9333 South Cicero Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL 60453-2517 Conveniently located in Oak Lawn, this full-service hotel is a half mile from the Oak Lawn Metro Station. Chicago Midway Airport is 15 minutes away and offers a complimentary Midway Airport shuttle from 6 am to 9 pm by appointment. Chicago O’Hare is 18 miles away. The hotel restaurant, South Side Social, serves a twist on South Side staples and classic drinks. Enjoy modern guest rooms, an indoor pool, and versatile meeting space. The hotel also offers an on-site coffee bar serving hot and cold coffee and tea, smoothies, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. Additional amenities are within walking distance, including several restaurants, fast food, and some retail options.
King and Double Queen rooms are available. This hotel offers confirmed connecting rooms, subject to availability.