GRANTS/AWARDS

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Chapin Grant

  • The Elfriede Chapin Fund has been established principally through member contributions to provide a source of funding an annually awarded grant to one NYSMTA member or more than one member if they are working on the same project together.  The members will share the money equally. The recipient(s) will use this grant to work on a special project that will benefit member-teachers.  The project must be used to establish new research developed during the grant.  When the study is complete, the recipient(s) must present their findings in a published article or presentation. 

  • The amount of award is $250

  • Questions: please contact Michael Merolla 

Click Here to Apply

NYSMTA District Grant

  • Grant Information

  • The maxiumum amount of award is $1,500, less may be awarded depending upon specific circumstances

Click Here to Apply

Citation Award

  • The NYSMTA Citation Committee requests nominations for the 2020 NYSMTA Citation Award. Nominees should have demonstrated service to the music teaching profession by reason of leadership at State, Division and/or National levels of MTNA, and/or have made outstanding contributions to music and the arts through community, cultural and artistic activities. 

  • Please submit nominations by email, with detailed reasons for the recommendation, by 
    Thursday, September 1, 2022 to:
    Michael Merolla mbm00@optonline.net

     

Past Citation Award Recipients:

(Note: This is a “list in progress”.  If you would like to provide any of the missing information below, please contact Dr. Gary Fisher at gfshr@frontiernet.net)

2022 – Beverly Smoker
2020 – Elier Suarez and Brian Preston
2018 – Bonnie Choi
2016 – Harriet Zimmerman & Patricia Hanson
2015 – Gary Palmer
2013 – Joseph Fennimore & Bruce Berr (Special Citation)
2011 – Richard Hihn
2010 – Gary Fisher
2009 – Diane Birr
2008 – Deborah Martin & Paul Stewart (special)
2007 – Sylvie Beaudette
2006 – Paul Sheftel
2005 – Malcom Bilson (special) & Janice Nimetz
2004 – Jean Barr
2003 – George Bryant
2002 – Lee Evans
2001 – Ludwig Sheffield & Genevieve Federico   
2000 – Robert Sherman
1999 – Maurice Hinson
1998 – Michael Merolla
1997 – Robert C. White
1996 – Ruth Lakeway & Sr. Dorothy Flood
1995 – Neva Pilgrim & Fernando Laires
1994 – Barbara Woods
1993 – Wilma Machover & Antonia Lavanne
1992 – Samuel Adler & Vince Lenti
1989 – 1991 ???
1988 – Nelita True
1987 – Brock McElheran
1986 (25th anniversary) – Lynn Freeman Olson, Robert Freeman
1985 – Joseph Polisi
1984 – ???
1983 – Hadassah Sahr
1974 – 1982 ???
1973 – Leon Barzin
1972 – ???
1971 – Walter Hendl
1961-1970 ???          
Year ??? – Rosetta Goodkind

Click Here to Apply

MTNA Certification

  • Professional Certification exists to improve the level of professionalism within the field of music teaching, helps readily identify competent music teachers within the community and provides these teachers with prestige, recognition and the potential for student recruitment and increased earning power. Learn more about MTNA’s Certification Program here.

  • The program is based upon a set of five standards defining what a competent music teacher should know and be able to do. Upon fulfillment of these standards, applicants are granted the MTNA Professional Certification credential with the designation, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). All music teachers actively engaged in the profession are eligible for MTNA Professional Certification.

Click Here to Apply

MTNA Certification

  • Professional Certification exists to improve the level of professionalism within the field of music teaching, helps readily identify competent music teachers within the community and provides these teachers with prestige, recognition and the potential for student recruitment and increased earning power. Learn more about MTNA’s Certification Program here.

  • The program is based upon a set of five standards defining what a competent music teacher should know and be able to do. Upon fulfillment of these standards, applicants are granted the MTNA Professional Certification credential with the designation, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). All music teachers actively engaged in the profession are eligible for MTNA Professional Certification.

Click Here to Apply
  • Chapin Grant

    • The Elfriede Chapin Fund has been established principally through member contributions to provide a source of funding an annually awarded grant to one NYSMTA member or more than one member if they are working on the same project together.  The members will share the money equally. The recipient(s) will use this grant to work on a special project that will benefit member-teachers.  The project must be used to establish new research developed during the grant.  When the study is complete, the recipient(s) must present their findings in a published article or presentation. 

    • The amount of award is $250

    • Questions: please contact Michael Merolla 

    Click Here to Apply
  • NYSMTA District Grant

    • Grant Information

    • The maxiumum amount of award is $1,500, less may be awarded depending upon specific circumstances

    Click Here to Apply
  • Citation Award

    • The NYSMTA Citation Committee requests nominations for the 2020 NYSMTA Citation Award. Nominees should have demonstrated service to the music teaching profession by reason of leadership at State, Division and/or National levels of MTNA, and/or have made outstanding contributions to music and the arts through community, cultural and artistic activities. 
    • Please submit nominations by email, with detailed reasons for the recommendation, by 
      Thursday, September 1, 2022 to:
      Michael Merolla mbm00@optonline.net

       

    Past Citation Award Recipients:

    (Note: This is a “list in progress”.  If you would like to provide any of the missing information below, please contact Dr. Gary Fisher at gfshr@frontiernet.net)

    2022 – Beverly Smoker
    2020 – Elier Suarez and Brian Preston
    2018 – Bonnie Choi
    2016 – Harriet Zimmerman & Patricia Hanson
    2015 – Gary Palmer
    2013 – Joseph Fennimore & Bruce Berr (Special Citation)
    2011 – Richard Hihn
    2010 – Gary Fisher
    2009 – Diane Birr
    2008 – Deborah Martin & Paul Stewart (special)
    2007 – Sylvie Beaudette
    2006 – Paul Sheftel
    2005 – Malcom Bilson (special) & Janice Nimetz
    2004 – Jean Barr
    2003 – George Bryant
    2002 – Lee Evans
    2001 – Ludwig Sheffield & Genevieve Federico   
    2000 – Robert Sherman
    1999 – Maurice Hinson
    1998 – Michael Merolla
    1997 – Robert C. White
    1996 – Ruth Lakeway & Sr. Dorothy Flood
    1995 – Neva Pilgrim & Fernando Laires
    1994 – Barbara Woods
    1993 – Wilma Machover & Antonia Lavanne
    1992 – Samuel Adler & Vince Lenti
    1989 – 1991 ???
    1988 – Nelita True
    1987 – Brock McElheran
    1986 (25th anniversary) – Lynn Freeman Olson, Robert Freeman
    1985 – Joseph Polisi
    1984 – ???
    1983 – Hadassah Sahr
    1974 – 1982 ???
    1973 – Leon Barzin
    1972 – ???
    1971 – Walter Hendl
    1961-1970 ???          
    Year ??? – Rosetta Goodkind

  • MTNA Certification

    • Professional Certification exists to improve the level of professionalism within the field of music teaching, helps readily identify competent music teachers within the community and provides these teachers with prestige, recognition and the potential for student recruitment and increased earning power. Learn more about MTNA’s Certification Program here.

    • The program is based upon a set of five standards defining what a competent music teacher should know and be able to do. Upon fulfillment of these standards, applicants are granted the MTNA Professional Certification credential with the designation, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). All music teachers actively engaged in the profession are eligible for MTNA Professional Certification.

  • NYSMTA Teacher of the Year Award

    As there are many outstanding teachers in New York State, we feel that they should be acknowledged for their dedication and accomplishment in their profession. After receiving the nominations from the membership, the Teacher of the Year Award Committee will check to see if those nominations have met the criteria.  Only one teacher will be selected by the committee.  The recipient of this award will be recognized during the next Virtual Symposium in October.

    Criteria:

    •Must live and teach in the NY state
    •Has been a continuous and active member of NYSMTA for at least 5 years
    •Demonstrate a desire to promote excellence in teaching
    •Has inspired and made a significant impact upon the lives of many music students
    •Participation in local, state, and/or national MTNA programs
    •Community involvement (willingness to volunteer)
    •Teachers who have received this award in the past cannot be nominated again
    •Current members of Teacher of the Year Award Committee are not eligible for this award

    Submission Guideline:

    Please send your nomination with a brief description of the nominated teacher (maximum 600 words) to Christine at chrisj.rage@gmail.com by September 15, 2025.  Your submission may include insights into their teaching and quotes from colleagues and/or students, or any other unique contributions the nominee brings to the field of teaching.