Advancing music education, psychology and research
Welcome to Sempre, a UK-based charity with a global reach, dedicated to advancing research in music education and music psychology.
Connect minds, inspire learning
Sempre brings together educators, researchers, practitioners and students from around the world, providing platforms for their research in our conferences, journals and books, aiding participation in international meetings, and supporting initiatives in countries and regions where access to musical and music educational resources is limited.
Publications
Sempre publishes three leading journals with Sage, collaborates with Routledge on the book series Sempre Studies in The Psychology of Music, and produces conference volumes.
Awards
Sempre provides funding for music research, supporting innovation, post-doctoral projects, travel, conference attendance, and collaboration, with a focus on early-career researchers.
Conferences
We host conferences that showcase global research in music psychology and education, such as our biennial Sempre conferences, specialist meetings, and collaborations with partner organisations.
Become a member of Sempre
Joining Sempre means becoming part of a growing international community dedicated to understanding the importance of music for everyone. Members gain access to world-leading journals, preferential opportunities to attend conferences and meetings, and a chance to shape the future of music education and music psychology research.
Making a difference
Through our awards we support individuals and groups working in music education, psychology and research, often with underserved communities. We fund initiatives that create meaningful impact through innovative projects.
Our latest news and research
Discover the latest news, research and developments in music psychology and education from Sempre and its global community.
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In Memoriam: Professor Anthony E. (“Tony”) Kemp (1934–2026)
SEMPRE is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Anthony E. (“Tony”) Kemp, an influential scholar, educator and early figure in the Society’s history. We are honoured to share a reflection by Professor Graham Welch celebrating Tony’s life, scholarship and enduring legacy.
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2026 SEMPRE PGR/ECR Conference Report
The 2026 SEMPRE Conference welcomed more than 200 delegates to the University of Cambridge for a vibrant day of presentations, discussion, and networking centred on music psychology and music education.
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REF2029: Sub-Panel 33 Open Forum for Subject Associations
Professor Robert Adlington and Dr Kate Dorney of REF2029 Sub-Panel UoA33 will lead the second online Open Forum for subject associations on Friday 5 June. The session will provide updates on the REF2029 process and offer an opportunity for discussion and questions from the research community.
Explore our leading journals
Partnering with Sage, Sempre publishes three highly ranked, peer-reviewed journals: Psychology of Music, Research Studies in Music Education, and Music & Science.
Psychology of Music
Psychology of Music, “the pre-eminent journal in the field”, is our longest-established title, publishing papers directed at increasing the scientific understanding of any psychological aspect of music.
Music & Science
Music & Science, our most recently-founded journal, is open access and aims to publish research from any perspective that engages with scientific approaches to understanding music.
Research Studies in Music Education
Research Studies in Music Education, now in its twenty-fifth year, promotes the dissemination and discussion of high-quality research in music and music education.
Join the Sempre community today
Joining Sempre gives you free online access to all three Sempre journals, discounts on registration costs at Sempre conferences, membership of an international and growing community of researchers and practitioners, and a say in the future directions of Sempre’s projects and activities.