History

The History of MMTA

The Massachusetts Music Teachers Association (MMTA) was founded in 1960, by a small and devoted group of teachers from the Greater New Bedford Music Teachers Association (GNBMTA), including Mr. Herbert Bowker, Mrs. Alma Canuel, Mrs. Edward Dower, Mrs. Alden Kinney, and Dean Robert Dunn of Boston Conservatory. For a year prior to incorporation, these teachers invited dignitaries from the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) to their meetings and annual banquet. They recognized that their local association’s strength and reach would be increased exponentially by an affiliation with MTNA and, as a result, MMTA was created.

The first President of MMTA was Herbert Bowker, elected in 1961. He had previously served as Treasurer of the GNBMTA. MMTA later honored Mr. Bowker by naming a scholarship in his memory.

MTNA is the oldest professional music teachers’ association in the nation, founded by Theodore Presser in 1876.

Even before MMTA was incorporated, Massachusetts provided MTNA with three national presidents: most notably was MTNA’s first President, Eben Tourjee, elected in 1876; also Calixa Lavallée, elected in 1887; and William Arms Fisher, elected in 1921. These three teachers were leaders in their field, and internationally renowned. In 1980, well after MMTA had been incorporated, we were honored to have another MTNA President, Dr. Robert Sutton, who was the longtime Chair of the Department of Music and Dance at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Since 1962, many dedicated teachers have worked consistently to forward the mission of MMTA. As the organization grew, local associations were established in many locales: Boston, North Shore, Greater Lowell area, Southeastern Mass., and Cape Cod.

The vibrant collegial life of our abundant universities, conservatories and colleges filled the professional aspirations of our members, so MMTA became an exemplar as a State Association, first and foremost. Offering outstanding student programs, competitions and non-competitive evaluations, MMTA has become a premier example of organization and coordination for state associations across the nation.

As music teachers, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.

The Massachusetts Music Teachers Association’s long and proud history has enabled countless teachers to grow professionally, far beyond their local boundaries. We are great colleagues and dear friends.

We continue to reach into the future with vision, dedication and imagination.

Please come along for the journey!

Timeline of MMTA Presidents

MTNA Presidents from Massachusetts

1876 - Eben Tourjee:
The first President of MTNA — 1876 - Eben Tourjee: The first President of MTNA