HISTORY OF THE

MAINE MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (MMEA)

Researched by  Silvia ‘Sam’ Moore-Young & Nancy Penna Curran         

With additional information provided by Craig Skeffington & Robert Modr

This is a brief outline of the Maine Music Educators Association’s history and is not intended to be all-inclusive of every detail.  It is an overview of how our association  evolved.  It will be edited and added to as needed and as more history becomes available.

• 1906   - National Education Conference cancelled due to the earthquake in host city, San Francisco.
• 1907 -   104 music supervisors meet in Keokuk, Iowa.
• 1909 - Music supervisors meet again in reaction to the NEA not addressing music  concerns
• 1910 - National group formally organized and calls itself the Music Supervisors National Conference (MSNC)
• 1915 - Portland, ME.  In connection with the State Teachers Convention,  music supervisors decided to form a closer association of music teachers called Maine Music Supervisors Association. (MMSA)  This was the beginning of the first state organization of public school music teachers in the U.S.
• 1917 - Bangor, ME. 40 music teachers voted to collect dues of 25 cents per year. Group met annually. Considered the beginning of MMEA.
• 1919 - Portland, ME  Members provide the host with extra singers for a large chorus for the occasion, including a  gifted young lady who whistled bird calls.
• 1920 - Papers presented at convention including “How May a Better Prepared Force of Grade School Teachers Be Maintained?”
• 1921 - First efforts by the group to work out a music curriculum for the state.
• 1925 - Vote to petition the state education authorities to include adequate  training in music teaching in the preparation of public school teachers.
• 1928 - Waterville, ME.  MMSA sponsors its own audition type festival.  Eleven instrumental groups attended.
• 1931 - Still meeting annually. Group concerned with  Constitutional revision.  Vote to hold a BOC competition in Portland. Another vote was taken to organize a summer music camp, held in 1932 in Castine, moving to Hebron, and then to Farmington. Is this the predecessor of Maine Music Camp?
• 1934 - National organization’s name changed to Music Educators National Conference (MENC).   MMSA becomes aware of Division and National organizations. Delegate and alternate sent to the National Conference.
• 1936 - Development of  regional meetings within the state. First mention of having an All State Festival.
• 1939 - Member elected to serve as Governor on the New England Festival board.
• 1940 - First mention of Northern Festival group.
• 1941 - Greetings from National Music Conference suggesting an affiliation.

Normal School Teachers Conference moves  to require examination in rudiments of music be given to those wanting to attend Normal School.

 Steps taken leading to affiliation with MENC.

• 1942 - State Festival discussion discontinued due to war.

Vote to federate the Maine Music Supervisor Association  for two reasons:

• 1. Strengthen the state organization and give it authority
• 2. Increase unity.  There would be no extra expense.

• 1943 - First attempt to get an accurate list of music supervisors in the state.

Submit an article to Maine Superintendent's  Bulletin and Maine Principals Association in rebuttal form regarding music ‘activities’.

Secretary & Treasurer will be one position.  Approved by the president.

• 1944 - Honorary Life membership awarded to Dr. Walter Butterfield &  (?) Pitcher (first name not given)
• 1946 - Eastern Division President attends Maine’s annual meeting as the keynote speaker.  

Reorganization of festivals. Sending music directors must be members of the Association.  Rotation of the festival by weeks in May.

• 1.  North - all schools north of Bangor, east of Penobscot River.
• 2. East - all schools east of Bangor and down to Gardiner.
• 3.  West - all schools west of the Kennebec River and south of Gardiner.

Maine Principals Association (MPA) sets up a music committee.

• 1947 - Board asks MPA to assign  a member of the MPA music committee to attend  MMEA board meetings.

Board opposes publication of  individual schools’ ratings earned at festivals.

• 1948 - Boundaries suspended.  MSA & MPA will decide where to send schools to festivals based on the location of the host.
• 1949 - Kennebec Valley Music Directors Association formed under the leadership of Dr. Paul Wiggin.  First band only concert in Augusta, January 1950.

Gardiner, Wilton, Jay granted permission to change from West to East. Boothbay has a choice.  Lincoln, Old Town, Orono to join the North.

First note of conflicts between sports & music events schedules.

Mary Smart awarded Honorary Life Member.

• 1951 - March  meeting between MMEA Board of Directors and Music committee of the State Principals Association. Chairman of SPA thought while music teachers were often excellent musicians, they were not always very business-like, not always skilled in human relation, and needed to be more aware of the importance of good public relations. MMEA board pleaded the cause of common decency of professional treatment.
• 1951 - A move for MMEA to sponsor a Maine All State Festival for the more capable high school music students. The SPA formally expressed a favorable attitude.  MMEA offers a tentative plan and invites SPA to approve the plan.
• 1952 - SPA stated that principals were interested in discouraging participation in out-of-state music events such as the New England Festival and encouraging in-state music activities.  SPA approves MMEA plan for All State.
• 1953 -  First All State held in Augusta.  Three conductors were Ralph Schonmaker (Band), Thomas Massi (Orchestra)  Edward Gilday (Chorus). Participation was by recommendation.  MMEA required payment of dues for eligibility to participate.  Controversial stand supported by SPA and MPA.

Waterville band participates in Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.

Motion by Gerry Chamberland to have exchange concerts.

Look into a state Bulletin.

Northern Festival splits into separate vocal and band festivals.

Teachers Convention for music held in Portland. Thursday for Elementary and Friday for Secondary.

• 1954 - Ellen Blodgett becomes the first editor of the state magazine to be called The Bulletin.

Letter sent to MPA and MSA saying county festivals are to augment not replace regional and state festivals.

• 1955 - Bulletin to be published 3 times per year.

Host to determine commuting area.

Discontinue displays and exhibits at conferences and festivals.

Briefcases to be purchased for secretary and treasurer and stamped ‘MMEA’.

Festival music to be stored in one place.

There is a disconnect with the New England Festival over how it should be run.

• 1956 - MMEA board decides student recommendation for qualifying for All State  was not producing good results.  Committee makes suggestions for auditioning students to qualify.  Accepted.

Rules of student conduct established for All State.

Past President Ellen F. Blodgett passes away.  She had also served as the first editor of the BULLETIN.

Honorary Life Memberships awarded to Arey Dulfe and Maud Haines.

• 1958 - Establishment of the Ellen F Blodgett Memorial Scholarship to start in 1960.

All State Audition materials: Band -  Watkins-Farnum tests; chorus  - their part in Silent Night and a solo if one has been prepared. MPA opposed to auditions due to expense.

• 1960’s - Districts continue to develop festivals for their members’ students.  

All State auditions are held in three locations.  All chorus students from a high school audition in the same room, for the same pair of judges, in octets.  Octavos are used with the school’s  students filling in on missing parts making it possible for them to audition multiple times.  The sight reading is also an octavo. The music teacher is allowed to act  as the accompanist.

• 1961 - Handbook written regarding how to run All State.

MPA notifies MMEA of date conflicts with One Act Play contest.

• 1962 - East District boundaries change to Augusta to the  Eastport and

Rockland to Millinocket.

• 1964 - Farmington Music Camp willing to arrange a lending library of All State music.

The board is informed that some band directors are taking kickbacks for instruments sold to students or the school.  Letter sent to the MSA regarding  a Code of Ethics.  Directors advised it should not be happening but otherwise, no followup.

First mention of All Aroostook.

• 1968 -  All State adjudicators will be paid $10/hour and  10 cents/mile.

Districts reapportioned, creating North, Western, Eastern and Central.

Kennebec Valley was accepted as an affiliate of MMEA.

Solo & Ensemble held in the Northern District.

• Late 1960’s - First Maine State Dance Band Competition, spearheaded by Frank Stevens, Winthrop band director.

Early 1970’s - Dance Band Competition became the Maine State Jazz Festival with day events held in Winthrop and night finals at Augusta Civic Center.  No improvisation and was common for band directors to perform with the groups. Evolves to include Junior & Senior high school  vocal groups as well as instrumental.

• 1975  March 15th - First  Music In Our Schools Month  MIOSM.

All State dates are permanently changed from the beginning of April to the middle of May and held at University of Maine Portland-Gorham, Gorham campus, with the MENC student chapter serving as dorm chaperones and general helpers.  Vaclav Nelhybel conducts the orchestra.

• 1979 - All State and the state music conference, previously held in October during  Teachers Convention, consolidated to become one event.  Held at the Bangor Civic Center with rehearsals at various high schools and the concerts held at the Civic Center.
• Late 1970’s - AS chorus students audition in quartets with ‘house’ singers covering missing parts.  Octavos were still used.  No chance to rehearse with house singers.
• History from late 1970’s to late 80’s not available; on an early version of computer disk. A  UMO Fogler Library IT specialist will try to access the contents at his/her convenience.
• Late 1980’s - All State Jazz Festival, currently in January,  begun by the music faculty of  University of Maine Augusta, specifically Chuck Winfield and Dave Demsey.  Auditions and performances  held at UMA.  
• Early 1990’s - All State vocal/wind  judges use a computer program to score students. Northern site still scored on paper. Strings recorded.  Vocal students sing a designated Art Song.

 MMEA assumes leadership of All State Jazz Festival with the  name later changed to MMEA Jazz All State.

• 1992 - Treasurer’s Report fo 91/92 school year dated June 30, 1992.   Total Expenses $10,850.19.  Receipts $10,878.72
• 1994 - Conference  Expenses  $8,775.04  Receipts  $12,262.00  Balance  $3,486.96  Balance brought forward $5638.77  Grand Total  $9,125.73
• 1995 - Jazz members vote on standardized etudes, recordings and other audition materials.
• 1998 - AS audition sites, Hampden, Gorham, and Houlton, deal with major snow storms all three audition weekends resulting in some schools traveling hundreds of miles to audition at another site.

• 1999 -  MMEA sponsors charter bus to Eastern Division Conference and Festival in New York City.

 Date for 2000 northern site AS auditions changed to mid-November to avoid snowstorms.

• 2000 -  Exec Board April 9, 2000 minutes  Peru School may move from District II to IV if both districts approve.

MMEA will pay MENC/MMEA dues for State Treasurer, President, and President-Elect after the elections of 2000.

The State Treasurer will handle all money for state festivals

Possibility of hosting the Eastern Division Conference set aside as there is no place big enough for exhibit space; 50,000 square feet is the minimum.

June  State Board to extend Studio Membership in MMEA, $15.00 for the year,  for the sole purpose of registering students for Solo & Ensemble.

• 2001 -  Schools are assigned specific  AS audition sites.  

 MMEA board votes to begin  a Hall of Fame, with Betty Atterbury, Anna Crouse, both posthumously,  and Faith Varney as the first inductees. All three were past presidents.  Plaques bearing the names of all inductees will hang in the music departments of  University of Maine, and University of Southern Maine.

• 2002 - Board passes NO PAY/NO PLAY  policy.
• 2003 - Board passes NO CHAPERONE/NO PLAY policy.

President Joan Hamann organizes a retreat at Sugarloaf for both the board and interested members.  Dr. Ken Nye of Yarmouth is invited as the Keynote and general advisor during discussions of the direction of music education in Maine.

• 2004 - AS Chorus committee proposes, and MMEA approves, new vocal scoresheet.  
• 2005 - AS Chorus committee proposes, and MMEA approves, new rotation of Italian Art Songs and Madrigals for auditions.

Treasurer Mike Davis gets MMEA through an IRS audit. The agent wasn’t amused that Mike’s ‘office’ was his kitchen table and insisted on meeting at Auburn Public Library.  

• Mid 2000’s - MMEA board approves discontinuing hard copies of  the BULLETIN due to increasing expense of printing.  Heidi Anderson, BULLETIN editor, takes on the task of exploring on-line options.
• MMEA is part of the state’s VPA representation to ensure VPA is included in the Department of Education’s requirements for graduation.  This included attending Legislative meetings and hearings in Augusta.

MMEA votes to hire a lobbyist, part time, to monitor Legislative action that would adversely affect Maine music educators & music education.  This lasted for 2-3 years.

MMEA board votes to hire a nurse to  be on duty 24/7  during All State.

• 2007 - MMEA President Elect Silvia ‘Sam’ Moore-Young, takes part in MENC’s Centennial celebration & National Assembly  at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
• 2008 - MMEA becomes the first state to publish its magazine solely  on-line.

David Watts, music educator at Freeport,  is elected treasurer. He’s the first treasurer with an accounting background as well as teaching music. Spends the next several years bringing

MMEA finances into an understandable entity.

•  2009 - MMEA President, Silvia (Sam) Moore-Young, and Advocacy Chair, Nancy Penna Curran, take part in the first ADVOCACY ON THE HILL DAY in Washington, DC, visiting the offices of Maine’s Congressional delegation. This is part of the National Assembly.

MMEA votes to contribute $1,000 to University of Southern Maine to sponsor a fall conference specifically for music collegiates from New England.

        2010-2013  Board votes to add an SSAA Chorus to All State with  Michele Kaschub  the first  

            ensemble  manager.

        2012 MMEA All State Jazz Festival concert is being broadcast by MPBN Monday the 26th at 9:00.      

            Most likely highlights.

• 2014  An institutional study is conducted by MacPage & CO, LLC to look at how MMEA handles its finances so MMEA’s financial practices are in alignment with the state and national vision of an educational institution.
• 2015 - Board votes to hire an accountant.
• 2017 - MMEA celebrates its Centennial anniversary with NAfME recognition at the National Assembly as the oldest state music association.

MMEA receives the NAfME award for highest percentage increase in  membership, 14%, for small states, at the National Assembly in Tysons Corner, VA.

Board votes to make the post of Executive Director a paid position & hires Beth LaBrie.

Board votes to have President Sue Brady Barre to begin the paperwork process of applying for change of tax status.  

• 2018 - IRS approves MMEA’s application to switch  from a 501(c) 6 to a 501(c)3.  This allows MMEA to accept donations and apply for grants.

• 2019 -  MMEA Past President Sue Brady Barre is elected President-Elect of NAfME Eastern Division.

Creation of the Collegiate Advisory Council for three student representatives from both UMaine and USM to have their voices heard at the board level.

• 2020  March - Due to the Corona Virus (COVID-19) and Governor Janet Mills’ Executive Order to shut down all unessential businesses & events,  the board makes the difficult decision to cancel the in-person All-State Festival & Conference for this year only. MMEA provides the first in the nation Virtual Conference open to all music teachers. All-State students are given the option of recording themselves to create the first Virtual BOC All-State Festival concert.  

Board votes to hold BOC All-State & Jazz All-State auditions on-line via Submittable for Fall 2020 only.

• Fall 2020  Due to  Covid -19, schools are mandated to operate remotely with each school district determining how that will look .  Governor Janet Mills mandates that all students and staff who are attending in person will wear masks and follow CDC’s guidelines for maintaining as virus free environment as possible.  MMEA VP’s produce online professional development opportunities for music educators.  NAfME also shares online professional development, especially in regards to social emotional health.  Jazz All State & All State BOC auditions are submitted virtually using Submittable. Adjudicators view auditions separately and collaborate, virtually.
• 2021 The  state conference, traditionally held the third weekend in May, is held virtually with sessions available for viewing at the participants’ convenience.  The All State BOC Festival also takes place, with rehearsals held virtually and students in each ensemble  taping their concert ready part while able to follow the conductor.

Jazz All State was held,  virtually.

The State Middle/High School Instrumental Jazz & Vocal Jazz Festivals were held with 15 schools earning awards.  The Solo & Ensemble Festival was held, virtually, for the first time in many years.  Many  ensembles performed representing a variety of genres and music, not just approved selections from the NYSSMA manual.

2021 Fall Jazz All State & BOC All State auditions held using Submittable. Judges meet at a Lawrence High School in Fairfield  to adjudicate the videos.

2022 - Jazz All State, State Instrumental & Vocal Jazz Festivals return to in person events.

The state conference and All State BOC Festival return to in person at UMO with strict Covid -  19 guidelines imposed for students and educators.

Summer retreat held at Messalonskee Middle School.

Fall Jazz All State & BOC All State auditions return to in person.  BOC auditions northern site is consolidated with the central site, Skowhegan High School, southern site at Greeley High School,  with the option to audition on line using Submittable. The change is made, in part, due to the low numbers and high cost of running the northern site.

2023   Pam Kinsey is  selected to receive the NFHS 2023-24 Music Outstanding Educator Award! Congratulations Pam!                                                                                                                             2024 Jazz All State concerts rescheduled due to storms. A few district level festivals also  have to reschedule concerts due to inclement weather.