Various dates, 2012. All training & CPD is free of charge & open to anybody – from classroom teachers & peripatetic teachers to Music Service/LA staff, community musicians, students & other arts/education professionals. Various locations, UK

Various dates, 2012. MusicLeader is a national network which supports the development of the music-leading workforce, equipping it with the knowledge & skills required by employers. Various locations, UK

Various dates, 2012. Opportunities for professional development in Kodály methodology & musicianship as well as training for staff working with NYCoS Area Choirs & Mini Music Makers or tutors working in schools through YMI. Various locations, Scotland

23-24 February 2012. The workshop's theme is 'Studying the neural mechanisms of spectro-temporal auditory processing'. Tübingen, Germany

26-27 February 2012. This inaugural conference will mark the official launch of the Terezin Music Hub at Leeds College of Music. Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK

1-2 March 2012. Festival presidents, organisers, managers & art directors gather to explore ways to improve & upgrade festivals in the Arab countries. Manama, Bahrain

6-7 March 2012. The theme for the event is 'Skills: Return on Investment' with a focus on practical solutions for the sector. The Lowry, Salford, Lancashire, UK.

9-11 March 2012. This inter- & multi-disciplinary conference aims to examine, explore & critically engage with issues related to urban life. Prague, Czech Republic

12-13 March 2012. Music Education UK's national conference is designed to inspire EVERYONE working in the sector. Institute of Education, Bloomsbury, London, UK

17-20 March 2012. Researchers, performers & teachers from all over the world gather to address key issues within music in Higher Education in papers & practical workshops. Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Barbican, London, UK

23 March 2012. Education Scotland invites practitioners interested in developing learner voice & pupil participation within their classroom, school or Local Authority to this national conference. Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, Scotland

29-31 March 2012. With a special focus on research in music education, NAfME's biennial conference is aimed at researchers, music educators & students interested in cutting-edge research & pedagogical innovations. St. Louis, Missouri, USA

12-13 April 2012. Celebrating aspiration, ambition & achievement in composition & music-making. LSO St Luke’s/Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Barbican, London, UK

18-20 May 2012. With a wide range of performances, insets & keynote speakers, a Saturday Black Tie event & a chance to meet MMA corporate members. Rugby School, Rugby, Warwickshire, UK

13-17 June 2012. The Congress's theme is 'Music therapy models, methods and techniques'. University of Jyväskylä, Finland

22-26 June 2012. The National Association for Music Education's annual professional development & networking event. Baltimore MD, USA

6-9 July 2012. CTCC’s sixth international research conference seeks to explore the relationships between tourism, tourists & all forms/genres/sub-genres of music. Liverpool, UK

15-20 July 2012. The International Society for Music Education presents 'Music Pædeia: From Ancient Greek Philosophers Toward Global Music Communities'. Thessaloniki, Greece

23 July 2012. The Institute’s 2nd biennial international conference’s theme is 'Philosophy & sociology of popular music education'. The Institute, Foundation House, 1A Dyne Road, London NW6 7XG, UK

19-20 September 2012. The SLF aims to enhance education by providing inspiration & new ideas, an opportunity to network with peers & a range of options to enhance the learning & teaching experience for all. SECC, Glasgow, Scotland

19‒21 November 2012. Through academic talks & cultural events, this island studies conference will explore how island traditions develop as well as form & maintain identity. Gazimağusa (Famagusta), North Cyprus

15 July - 2 August 2013. An unparalleled combination of summer music education & musical performances. Details available on website from October 2012. Kecskemét, Hungary

October 2013. This multi-strand international music education conference, performance festival & trade exhibition will bring 1,400 delegates, presenters, exhibitors & sponsors together to learn, sing, play, share & network. Singapore Expo, Singapore

Every second Wednesday of the month, BREAKOUT gives the music industry & the public a first glance at up & coming talent including new label signings and unsigned acts. Proud Galleries, Camden, London, UK

Various dates & venues. Organiser of the World Choir Games, INTERKULTUR, hosts competitions & festivals worldwide.

Every first Wednesday of the month, Musicosity's new live music night promotes featured independent artists. Bull & Gate, 389, Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2TJ, UK

Various dates, 2012. NYCoS has a fantastic 2012 season lined up with performances from NYCoS National Choirs, NYCoS Area Choirs & everything in between. Various venues, Scotland

Sunday 19 February 2012. 7pm. In their first appearance with CBSO principal guest conductor, Edward Gardner, the orchestra will perform works by Berg, Bartók & Bruckner. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, West Midlands,UK

24-25 February 2012. Featuring 3 spectacular concerts celebrating the music of Bach & the Baroque period. Various venues, Bath, Somerset, UK

2-4 March 2012. This festival of Celtic music, song & dance welcomes headliners, Flook. Porthcawl, Bridgend, South Wales

3 March 2012. This annual day is marked with events, seminars, exhibitions, radio programmes & newspaper articles on the subject of freedom of expression for musicians all over the world.

3 March 2012. N-Dubz producer, Fazer, & UK urban artists, Ms Dynamite, Skepta & Devlin, join the BBC Symphony Orchestra in a unique mash-up of musical cultures featuring breakthrough anthems, massive hits & exciting new material. Barbican, London, UK

3 March 2012. Students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, young people from Big Noise & members of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland & NYCoS join BBC SSO for this celebration of sport & music. SECC Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Scotland

29 March-3 April 2012. Stars from the worlds of rock, pop & comedy will shake the iconic London venue in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, UK

12/14 April 2012. The NYO’s musical exploration of what it means to be British enters a new dimension as the orchestra delves into folk music & the powerful role it plays in classical music. The Sage Gateshead, Gateshead/Royal Festival Hall, London, UK

28 April 2012. 7pm. Featuring the Bang on a Can All-Stars US premiere of 'Field Recordings', MIT's Gamelan Galak Tika & the mobile Asphalt Orchestra. Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, USA

4-6 May 2012. This live music extravaganza plays host to more than 200 of the best new talents performing across the area’s infamous venues. Camden, London, UK

10-12 May 2012. Taking place in Brighton over 3 days in May, The Great Escape kickstarts the festival season, introducing 15,000 music lovers to the key artists & sounds of the year. Brighton, Sussex, UK

23-24 May 2012. The European Festivals Association celebrates the 60th anniversary of its founding at the 2012 Bergen International Festival. Bergen, Norway

23 May-6 June 2012. One of northern Europe’s major arts events, Bergen International Festival showcases what's going on in the worlds of music, theatre, dance & art. Bergen, Norway

30 May-10 June 2012. A rich range of high-quality events featuring orchestral and classical virtuosos, jazz giants, folk, roots and world musicians, innovative collaborations & unique commissions. Various venues, Bath, Somerset, UK

6-7 June 2012. The 12th edition of Scotland’s premier Creative Industries festival includes fantastic opportunities for showcasing emerging bands. Various venues, Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland

8-10 June 2012. A monster of a festival on the banks of the famous Highland lake. Loch Ness, Scotland

30 June-1 July 2012. Held in the sweeping parklands of Glastonbury Abbey, this open-air classical music festival is the inspiration of conductor, Charles Hazlewood. Glastonbury, Somerset, UK

2-7 July 2012. Packed with inspirational performances, workshops & conferences, this 7-day festival brings together 12,000 of the country's most exciting young performers. Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

4-15 July 2012. Cheltenham Music Festival celebrates the richness of Britain's classical musical heritage. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK

29-31 July 2012. Internationally established festival, World of Music, Arts & Dance (WOMAD), brings together artists from all over the globe. Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, UK

1 August 2012. In the midst of Britain’s Olympic fortnight, the nation’s biggest team of teenagers takes to the stage with a concert celebrating the extraordinary power of young musicians. Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

8-9 September 2012. London’s largest outdoor arts festival brings together Londoners of all ages & from all communities to celebrate their city & the River Thames. Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, London, UK

13-16 September 2012. A must-attend for all radio professionals, jockeys and DJs, record labels, music managers & agents, media professionals & educational establishments with an interest in music radio. Zurich, Switzerland

Various dates, 2012. Exciting, innovative & practical music education & training. Various locations, UK

Various dates, 2012. A programme of intensive two-week residential courses designed for people in the middle ranks of larger cultural organisations or those near the top of smaller ones. Various locations, UK

Various dates, 2012. Opportunities for everyone to become involved in, stimulated & excited by all types of music. The Sage Gateshead, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, UK

Various dates. EFDSS runs daily classes, courses, workshops & talks in dance, music & song, including the popular weekly Cecil Sharp House Choir & regular Saturday Folk Music Workshops. Cecil Sharp House, Camden, London, UK

Various dates, 2012. A variety of events for conductors, teachers & singers, adults & children alike. Activities range from relaxed, fun singing days to week-long residential summer schools. Various venues, UK & abroad

Various dates, July 2012. KMSS residential music courses give young musicians the opportunity to play in groups, wind bands, symphony orchestras, string orchestras, jazz/vocal ensembles & recorder groups. Benenden School, near Cranbrook, Kent, UK

10 March 2012. 1-4pm. A chance for prospective students to see facilities first-hand, talk to staff & get a feel for the courses on offer. The Institute, Foundation House, 1A Dyne Road, London NW6 7XG, UK

5-11 August 2012. Application deadline: 30 March 2012. An opportunity for young composers aged 14-18 to experience a wide variety of musical traditions from conventionally notated music & jazz to music for film. Purcell School of Music, Hertfordshire, UK

14-17 August 2012. This residential course is aimed at teachers with some experience of jazz who would like to develop their playing & understanding further. Bournville Beeches Conference Centre, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

8 February 2012. Hosted by Mike Harding & Julie Fowlis, the Folk Awards are moving out of London for the 1st time. The Lowry, Salford, Lancashire, UK

16 February 2012. The Nordic Music Prize is an award for best Nordic album 2011. The prize will be presented during by:Larm, a conference & showcase event for the wider Nordic music industry. Kulturkirken Jakob, Oslo, Norway

21 February 2012. The iconic awards show will be hosted for a third year by actor, James Corden. O2, Greenwich, London, UK

Deadline for entries: 9 March 2012. Judged by Anna Calvi, this competition for aspiring singer/songwriters is organised by ICMP, BMI & Shure.

27 March-1 April 2012. An astounding line-up of harpists from all over the world plus a chance for composers of any age or nationality to create the next new solo work for harp. Competition deadline: 15 December 2011. Utrecht, Netherlands

26 April 2012. A night for the entire industry to celebrate its achievements. The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, UK

8 May 2012. The RPS Music Awards bring the highest calibre work of the classical music profession to public attention. Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London W1K 1QA, UK

12-19 May 2012. This international contest is open to bands & vocalists of all nationalities. Applicants must be born after 1 May 1977. Bucharest, Romania

12-19 May 2012. This international competition discovers & promotes young talents, combining competition with masterclasses & classical music concerts for worldwide fans. Bucharest, Romania

12 June 2012. The Scottish Education Awards showcase the valuable work & innovation taking place in Scottish classrooms & recognise the achievements of people who dedicate their lives to children & young people. Hilton Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland

30 July-5 August 2012. For marimbists of all ages & nationalities under the artistic direction of the internationally known marimba virtuoso, Bogdan Bacanu. University Mozarteum, Salzburg, Austria

4-14 August 2012. Choirs from all over the world gather to contribute their share to international understanding & peace among nations. Cincinatti, Ohio, USA

29 August-16 September 2012. A truly international competition with previous prize-winners from 28 countries worldwide, 'The Leeds' has helped to start the careers of some of the world’s greatest pianists. University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK

13-27 September 2012. Finland’s leading piano competition is named after Maj Lind (1876-1942), a keen music-lover who bequeathed some of her property to the Sibelius Academy for 'the promotion of the art of piano playing'. Helsinki, Finland

21-30 September 2012. Closing date for applications is 30 April 2012. Hamburg, Germany

3-4 March 2012. A dedicated 2-day bass show which brings globally recognised players together with a full & wide-ranging exhibition of the very latest bass instruments. Olympia Conference Centre, Kensington, London, UK

9-18 March 2012. This annual music, film & interactive conference/festival is one of the largest in the United States. Austin, Texas, US

15-17 March 2012. The Education Show is the UK's largest educational resources event. NEC, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

21-24 March 2012. International trade fair for musical instruments, sheet music, music production and music business connections. Frankfurt, Germany

16-19 May 2012. These two new trade shows for the Russian market hope to encourage professional development & music education in the region. Expocenter Krasnaya Presnya, Moscow, Russia

20-22 June 2012. This year's C'n'B Convention returns to its musical roots to represent a Who's Who of the independent music landscape. Cologne, Germany

12-14 July 2012. The world's largest music trade show's mid-year gathering. Nashville, Tennessee, USA