The Music Education Council draws its membership from across the entire music education and music industry sectors. This gives it a uniquely big picture of music education and is why MEC is the umbrella body for all UK organisations connected with music education.

It exists to bring together and provide a forum for member organisations to debate issues affecting music education and to make representation and promote appropriate action at local, national and international level.

• to act as the UK's umbrella body for all organisations involved with music education
• to promote and support all aspects of music education
• to raise public awareness of the nature, purpose and benefits of music education
• to work actively with central and local government to establish effective structures and to provide adequate funding for all areas of music education
• to encourage the highest possible quality and standards in music education

• liaise with and represent member music and music education organisations with and to all relevant government and statutory bodies
• attend and contribute to all major UK forums, conferences and committees involving music education
• lobby and advocate on behalf of music education
• lobby to encourage access to all genres of music through inclusive music education for all
• maintain representative standing committees responding to current issues involving music and music education
• promote research in music education, and its impact on policy and practice
• promote events, including Full Council meetings to discuss important aspects of music education
• contribute to public debate on music education in the media and to respond to such debates on behalf of member organisations
• contribute to the work of ISME and act as a UK link for this organisation
• ensure that MEC's manifesto is reviewed regularly

The corporate membership of MEC forms the Full Council, which meets three times a year. 

An Executive Committee manages the work of the Council. Elections to Executive take place annually and each elected member serves for a term of three years after which they are eligible to stand again.