The MIDI Association is pleased to announce a new relationship with TI:ME (Technology in Music Education)—centered on a shared goal: helping music educators confidently and creatively integrate technology into teaching and learning.
As part of this collaboration, The MIDI Association will serve as a TI:ME Sponsor for the 2026–2027 season.
We’ll also have a presence at the TI:ME party at TMEA, taking place after the TI:ME Pre-Conference at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Clinic/Convention in San Antonio, Texas (February 11–14, 2026).
The TI:ME is right
The timing is perfect as SAE Mexico and The MIDI Association are planning to launch a MIDI Curriculum whose goal is to raise awareness about MIDI in education at schools (secondary, college and university, and pro schools), MIDI Musical Instrument manufacturers and Dealers who sell MIDI products.
SAE Mexico, The NAMM MIDI Fund and The MIDI Association
SAE Mexico has been selected to create a MIDI In Music Education curriculum in both English and Spanish by the MIDI Association.
SAE Mexico have a unique relationship with Coursera, the massive open online course provider so the curriculum and certification will be available at no charge.
All of the materials created for The MIDI In Music Education curriculum will also be provided under a Creative Common license.
This means that Universities, Schools, Dealers and digital musical instrument manufacturers can include portions of the MIDI Association materials without any concerns about copyrights or licenses by just a simple Creative Commons attribution
Why TI:ME and MIDI belong together
TI:ME’s mission is clear: to empower music educators with the tools, training, and resources needed to integrate technology into their classrooms, fostering more engaging and dynamic learning for students.
That mission aligns naturally with The MIDI Association’s work—and with the goals of our MIDI In Music Education (MiME) Special Interest Group, which focuses on improving how MIDI is taught, understood, and adopted in educational programs.
MIDI is the global standard that makes it possible for instruments, controllers, computers, tablets, apps, and creative tools to communicate. In the classroom, MIDI becomes more than a protocol—it becomes a pathway for students to learn:
- Performance and expressive control
- Composition and arranging
- Music production workflows in DAWs
- Creative coding and interactive music systems
- Accessibility-centered music making
What TI:ME delivers for educators
TI:ME’s impact is substantial and educator-focused. Each year, TI:ME delivers over 6,000 hours of professional development at state and national Music Educators Association (MEA) conferences—helping teachers stay current with educational technology.
TI:ME also helps “plant the seeds” of music technology programs by directing valuable resources such as hardware, software, and training workshops to schools and teachers who need additional support.
TI:ME is able to do this because it’s a lean, mission-driven organization powered by volunteers—supported by sponsorships that help provide logistical support, travel and housing for events, and the continued expansion of TI:ME’s work.
What it means for The MIDI Association to be a TI:ME Sponsor
As a Sponsor, The MIDI Association is directly supporting TI:ME’s educator professional development and resource initiatives—while also building a stronger bridge between classroom practice and the technical standards that power modern music tools.
See us at TMEA: TI:ME Pre-Conference and TI:ME Party
TMEA is a key moment on the music education calendar, and TI:ME’s Pre-Conference and community celebration are where music-technology educators connect, compare notes, and trade ideas they can use immediately.
The MIDI Association will have a presence at the TI:ME party at TMEA, following the TI:ME Pre-Conference.
If you’re attending, we’d love to meet you and talk about what would make MIDI education easier and more effective—whether you’re teaching beginners, running a full production program, or building an accessible music tech pathway.
Where this partnership can grow next
This new relationship is also an invitation to collaborate. TI:ME notes that its curated sessions often feature products from sponsor companies and that sponsor representatives frequently collaborate and host sessions. Looking ahead, we’re excited to explore educator-centered opportunities such as:
- Classroom-ready “MIDI essentials” learning materials aligned to today’s real-world tools
- Teacher-facing guides for troubleshooting MIDI, controllers, apps, and DAW workflows
- Student-friendly introductions to expressive control and modern MIDI capabilities
- Connections between educator needs and the ongoing work of the MIME Special Interest Group
In-kind support: getting music technology into the hands of educators
TI:ME also accepts in-kind support from cash sponsors—including hardware, software, classroom materials, and license codes (new, used, or B-stock). TI:ME can help sponsors direct those resources to vetted educators and students through warehousing and distribution—helping support the next generation of music makers and teachers.
If your company is a MIDI Association member—or if you’re an educator with a program that could benefit from donated tools—this is another area where TI:ME and the MIME community can align for real impact.
Learn more and get involved
- TI:ME: ti-me.org
- The MIDI Association: MIDI In Music Education
Interested in TI:ME sponsorship details? TI:ME’s sponsorship package lists the contact for sponsorship opportunities as:
Mike Lawson, Executive Director, TI:ME
Email: execdirector@ti-me.org
Phone/Text: 615-870-9333