Conference 2026 - Saturday sessions
Saturday, 10th October 2026
Registration opens at 9:00am.
Morning Sessions
Chair’s welcome and introduction to the Youth Board - Deborah Ward
A welcome to Conference from our Chair, Deborah Ward and an opportunity to meet members of our Youth Board.
Session 1 – Keynote Speaker – Thangam Debbonaire
Former Labour MP for Bristol West (2015-2024), former Shadow Culture Secretary (2023-24) and current life peer in the House of Lords. Away from politics, Thangam is an accomplished classical cellist studying the Royal College of Music and is a passionate advocate for the arts.
Session 2 – Festivals & Adjudicators: Our mutual expectations
An interactive session to explore what festivals and adjudicators expect from each other. This will look at scheduling, length of days, payment, communication, information sharing, working with festival volunteers. The session will explore how to work together effectively to provide the best experience for our performers.
Afternoon Sessions
Session 3 – Discipline specific break-outs
The three discipline specific break-out sessions are open to festivals and adjudicators / accompanists. The sessions will run concurrently and will last for 2 hours.
Music
The Music sessions will cover the following topics:
- Live performances which will allow for marking discussions and feedback techniques.
- Q&A opportunities with the young performers to ensure their perspectives on festival performance are heard.
- Best practice in report writing to help the performer grow – giving best value through adjudication reports.
- Share your flair – sharing good practice, skills and knowledge within each discipline.
Dance
An introduction to Street Styles Dance in a festival context - Presented by Damien Anyasi
An interactive session to examine Hip Hop and other Street Dance styles. This educational session will support dance adjudicators when adjudicating Street Dance or Commercial dance classes. It will also support festivals organisers who are considering expanding their dances with an overview of the genre.
Speech & Drama
The Speech & Drama sessions will cover the following topics:
- Live performances which will allow for marking discussions and feedback techniques.
- Q&A opportunities with the young performers to ensure their perspectives on festival performance are heard.
- Best practice in report writing to help the performer grow – giving best value through adjudication reports.
- Share your flair – sharing good practice, skills and knowledge within each discipline.
Session 4 – Festival and Adjudicator / Accompanist specific sessions
The two sessions will run concurrently with one session primarily aimed at festival organisers and one primarily aimed at adjudicators, although delegates are free to attend whichever session they feel is more relevant to them.
Option 1: Child licensing at festivals: an overview and update from Ed Magee (Licensing Team Manager from the London Borough of Camden and Chair of the NNCEE)
An update on child licensing legislation and future developments in this area.
Option 2: Ensuring safe, appropriate and sensitive interactions with children and young people within a festival context
Looking at the use of language and awareness of SEN and cultural considerations when delivering adjudications and working with young people at festivals.
17.30 End of Day
BIFF Annual Gala Dinner
Click here to view the Sunday sessions