Registration for the 2026 Music Industry Summit is open. The Summit is open to anyone (students and professionals). Registration is free for college and high school students at any institution, faculty/staff at any educational institution, and Ohio University alumni. The fee for all other Industry Professionals is $75 for the entire three-day conference. The cost will increase closer to the Summit.
2026 Schedule
April 14-16, 2026
2026 Schedule
Draft 2026 Music Industry Summit Schedule
Below you will find a draft schedule for the 2026 Music Industry Summit. Timing, order, and programming are subject to change until the schedule is finalized and released early March.
This draft schedule is posted to help attendees understand the layout of the conference schedule and facilitate planning travel and work schedules.
All day programming will take place in person in the Baker University Center's Ballroom unless otherwise noted. Some sessions will take place in other rooms within Baker University Center. Evening events will be held in various locations on campus or in Athens. Only Main Stage Sessions on April 15-16 will be available on livestream.
To attend all daytime programming, attendees must be registered for the Summit. Some programming may be open to the public and will be indicated on the schedule below. All concerts at Memorial Auditorium are open to anyone and do require a ticket purchase.
Tuesday, April 14
Time TBA • ROAR Records In-Store Performance by Jake Ewald of Slaughter Beach, Dog
ROAR - 30 E State St, Athens, OH 45701
Jake Ewald of Slaughter Beach, Dog and Modern Baseball will perform in-store at Republic of Athens Records. This event is free and open to both Summit attendees and the general public.
2:30-3:30 p.m. • Programming
Baker University Center Theater
4:00-5:15 p.m. • The Crane Wives Artist Keynote
Baker University Center Theater
The members of The Crane Wives will sit down for a special artist keynote conversation discussing their career in the evolving landscape of indie folk. This session is not available for livestreaming but will be available for on-demand viewing.
5:30-6:30 p.m. • Official Gallery Opening
VisCom Focus - Schoonover
This event is free and open to both Summit attendees and the general public.
6:30-7:30 p.m. • MIS Happy Hour, Sponsored by Jackie O's
Jackie O's Brewpub
Join the Music Industry Summit team for a Happy Hour. at Jackie O's. More details to be announced. This event is free and open to both Summit attendees and the general public. No registration required.
8:00-10:00 p.m. • The Crane Wives Concert
Memorial Auditorium
The Crane Wives will perform a concert at Memorial Auditorium featuring opening act Morgan Hanner. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m. All attendees are required to purchase a ticket if they wish to attend this concert. You do not have to be registered for the Summit in order to attend the concert.
10:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m. • Possible Programming
Wednesday, April 15
9:00 a.m. • Doors Open to the Baker University Center Ballroom
9:10-9:40 a.m. • Opening Performance
9:40-10:35 a.m. • The Soundtrack of Play: Music Licensing in Video Games
Deborah Mannis-Gardner of DMG Clearances, Alex Malcolm of Warner Music Group, and Allison Wright Clark of Reflector Productions discuss the process of selecting music for video games and the growing opportunities in licensing music in the gaming and interactive industries. Moderated by Rachel Lafranconi of Kobalt Music.
10:50-11:40 a.m. • Featured Entrepreneur Session: Nabil Ayers
Chris DeVille, Managing Editor of Stereogum, will sit down with Nabil Ayers, President of Beggars Group, for an in-depth discussion on his career and entrepreneurial journey.
11:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. • Mentoring Roundtable Sessions
Various Locations in Baker University Center
RSVP required; more details announced soon.
11:55 a.m.-12:40 p.m. • Programming
12:55-1:45 p.m. • Beyond the Degree: Pathways to the Music Industry
This panel comprised of all Ohio University alumni will sit down to discuss their pathways into their career and share important insights. Featuring Jon Chinn, Director of Media Operations at Sony Music Entertainment, Maggie Kaput, Marketing Specialist at The Ryman Auditorium, Harrison Mbemba, Found of Auxchord, and Ash M. Sheehan, Sr. Director of National Member Engagement at Recording Academy/GRAMMYS.
2:00-2:50 p.m. • Main Stage Session
3:05-4:25 p.m. • Artist Keynote with Blood Orange (Dev Hynes)
Author and music journalist Marcus J. Moore will sit down with Blood Orange (Dev Hynes) to discuss his career as a Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning artist known for blending genres. Please note: Blood Orange will not be performing at the Music Industry Summit.
4:45-6:00 p.m. • Breakout Sessions
Various Locations in Baker University Center
All breakout sessions will have limited capacity and will be available on a first come, first served basis.
6:00-6:30 p.m. • Live Performance
Baker University Theater
8:00-10:00 p.m. • Official Music Industry Summit Party, Presented by Qobuz
Athens Armory - 1 Armory St., Athens, OH 45701
The Official Music Industry Summit Party is free and open Summit registrants and the general public. Light refreshments will be provided and a cash bar will be available. More details to follow.
Thursday, April 16
9:00 a.m. • Doors Open to the Baker Center Ballroom
9:20-9:50 a.m. • Opening Performance
10:00-10:50 a.m. • Main Stage Session
11:05 a.m.-11:55 a.m. • Featured Music Supervision Session
Music supervisors Thomas Gloubić and Frankie Pine sit down with moderator Alex Malcolm.
12:05-12:40 p.m. • Mentoring Roundtable Sessions
Various Locations in Baker University Center
RSVP required; more details announced soon.
12:05-12:45 p.m. • Programming
1:00-1:55 p.m. • Main Stage Session
2:10-3:05 p.m. • The Music of Breaking Bad with Thomas Gloubić
Four-time Emmy-nominated and two-time Grammy-nominated record producer and music supervisor Thomas Gloubić will host a full session exploring the music behind the legendary Breaking Bad series, for which he has twice been awarded Best Music Supervision in a Television Drama by the Guild of Music Supervisors.
3:20-4:35 p.m. • Closing Artist Keynote: Lucius
The members of Lucius, known for their engaging live performances and spell-binding harmonies, will sit down for an exclusive artist keynote.
4:55-6:10 p.m. • Breakout Sessions
Various Locations in Baker University Center
All breakout sessions will have limited capacity and will be available on a first come, first served basis.
6:15-7:45 p.m. • MIS Happy Hour + Jam Session, Presented by StewMac
StewMac - 21 N Shafer, Athens
StewMac will open the doors to their historic building for a special Happy Hour + Jam Session for before the Lucius Closing Night Concert. Specialty drinks, beer and wine, and light apps will be available. A food truck will be available on site for meal purchases. First come, first served event until building capacity has been hit. Attendees must be 18 & up or minors must be accompanied by an adult. Limited parking in StewMac's lot: first come, first served. Free event.
8:00-10:30 p.m. • Closing Night Concert: Lucius
Memorial Auditorium
Following their closing artist keynote, Lucius will perform a full-band concert at Memorial Auditorium. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 30 at 10 a.m. EST. All attendees are required to purchase a ticket if they wish to attend this concert. You do not have to be registered for the Summit in order to attend the concert. Tickets start at $25 and up.
9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. • Official After Party, Presented by WIMI
The Union
Hosted by WIMI, the Official MIS After Party will feature a lineup of local artists.
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The Crane Wives Concert
Tuesday, April 14, 8 p.m.
Memorial AuditoriumFollowing their special keynote conversation, The Crane Wives will perform at Memorial Auditorium, with opening act Morgan Hanner. Tickets start at $25. Summit registration is not required to purchase tickets to the concert. All concert attendees must purchase tickets to attend.
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Lucius Concert
Thursday, April 16, 8 p.m.
Memorial AuditoriumFollowing their closing artist keynote, Lucius will perform a full-band concert at Memorial Auditorium. Tickets start at $25. Summit registration is not required to purchase tickets to the concert. All concert attendees must purchase tickets to attend.