2027 Award for Excellence Information 

Award Descriptions

2026 Award Recipients

Previous Award Recipients 

 

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Overview

MMEA presents annual awards recognizing outstanding Maryland music educators, school administrators, community members, industry professionals, and performers. Award categories include Outstanding Music Educator (New, Career, and Retired), Outstanding School Administrator, MMEA Exemplary Music Program, the Corwin Taylor Music Education Leadership Award, the Rosemary and James Walters Award for Service, and the Hall of Fame. Nominations for these awards may be submitted by current MMEA members or school administrators.
 

In addition, each year the MMEA Executive Board may designate a recipient for the President’s Award and/or the Distinguished Support Award to recognize an individual or organization for excellence or dedicated support in the field of music and/or music education, or for exceptional support of the Maryland Music Educators Association.

 

Nomination and Review

MMEA/NAfME current members OR school administrators can nominate candidates by completing the online nomination form. All forms must be filled out completely in order to be considered.

 

The Awards Committee will serve as judges to review the nominations and select the eligible candidates.  Awards recipients will be contacted via email once the review process is complete. Awards may be given annually, however, if there are not sufficient candidates, some categories may not be awarded.

 

Note: Membership is not required for administrators wishing to nominate their colleagues. Membership IS required for educators wishing to self-nominate or nominate a colleague. 

 

Awards Presentation

Awards will be presented annually at an Awards Reception on the Saturday evening of the Annual State Conference (February 6, 2027). Recognition of the recipients will be included on the MMEA website homepage, the awards webpage, MMEA social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and in emails to the members, district supervisors, and other stakeholders.

 

Timeline 

 

Mid August - MMEA Awards Nominations Open

November 30 - MMEA Awards Nominations Close

December 2 to 14 - Committee Review

Week of December 14 - Award Recipients Notified

Week of January 11, 2027 - Award Recipients Announced

February 6, 2027 - Awards Ceremony at the Annual State Conference

 

Awards Scoring Rubric

 Link to scoring rubric

 

Awards Nomination Form

 

 

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2027 Awards Committee 

Kiarré Sherman, MMEA Member-At-Large (Prince George’s County)

Amy T. Hairston, MMEA President (Montgomery County)

Kellie Harvey, NBCT, MMEA Conference Chair (Wicomico County)

Carrie Barrett Traube, MMEA Recording Secretary (Baltimore County)

 

 

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AWARDS DESCRIPTIONS

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Outstanding Music Educator

Outstanding School Administrator

MMEA Exemplary Music Program

The Corwin Taylor Music Education Leadership Award

The Rosemary and James Walters Award for Service

MMEA Hall Of Fame

MMEA President’s Award

MMEA Distinguished Support Award

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Outstanding Music Educator

 

Award Description

This award recognizes and honors music educators for their outstanding service to music students in public, private, or independent schools in the State of Maryland.

 

This award will be given in three categories:  

Career - a tenured educator with six or more years of teaching experience

New – a new educator with one to five years of teaching experience

Retired – an educator who has retired from teaching music

 

Nominee Qualifications

1. Must be an MMEA/NAfME Member at the time of nomination

2. Must be a Maryland music educator who has taught a minimum of six years (career teacher) or one year (new teacher). 

 

Leadership Criteria

1. Demonstrates/demonstrated excellence in developing and leading high quality music programs and ensembles, including student achievement and participation in honors performing groups such as All County or All State.

2. Strengthens music education beyond the classroom through leadership in professional organizations, curriculum development, publications, workshops, clinics, hosting student teachers, festivals, maintaining contact with feeder schools, and/or encouraging students to continue their music education.

3. Makes significant contributions to the school, community, and the advancement of music education in Maryland through advocacy, service, and leadership. 

 

Professional Growth Criteria

1. Demonstrates commitment to the profession through advanced study, workshops, conferences, clinics, or other activities that strengthen teaching and music education practices.

2. Applies new knowledge and skills to improve instruction, support student earning, and contribute to the growth of the music program, school, or profession. 

 

Human Relations Criteria

1. Fosters an inclusive and supportive learning environment by inspiring students, building student confidence and self-esteem, promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA), and serving as an excellent role model.

2. Builds strong relationships with students, colleagues, and the community, through collaboration, communication, mentorship, and service.

3. Demonstrates exceptional dedication by consistently exceeding professional responsibilities in support of students, the music program, and the school community. 

 

Required Nomination Information

1. Nominee Name

2. Nominee Email

3. Nominee Phone

4. Name of School

5. School County/District

6. How does the nominee inspire students through quality music instruction? Include examples of creativity, instructional excellence, student engagement, and how they foster student confidence and growth.

7. How does the nominee demonstrate leadership qualities?

8. How does the nominee foster a positive, inclusive learning environment? Include examples of relationships with students and colleagues, and support for diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA).

9. What professional, program, and student achievements best demonstrate the nominee's impact? Include awards, recognitions, honors, and notable accomplishments (including prior MMEA recognition). 

10. At least one (1) letter of recommendation.

11. At least two (2) professional references, including email and phone contact information.

12. Optional - Any other information that supports the selection of this nominee.

13. Nominator’s Name

14. Nominator’s Email

15. Nominator’s Phone

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Outstanding School Administrator

 

Award Description

This award is to recognize non-arts administrators who are music advocates and supporters, working with the music team to build incredible music programs for their schools and communities. 

 

Nominee Qualifications

An elementary or secondary principal, school administrator, or school system supervisor or superintendent.

 

Nomination Criteria

1. Increased time allotment for students in the music programs.

2. Expansion of the music program in the school/district as a result of the administrator’s efforts.

3. Student or school recognition or awards for achievement in music.

4. Advocating for music and arts education in the school and community.

5. Financial commitment to the music programs in the school or district.

6. Encourages diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) in their school and community.

7. Strong leadership, good school management, and good rapport with educators, parents, and students.

 

Required Nomination Information

1. Nominee Position: Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal, Supervisor, Superintendent, or Other (with description)

2. Nominee Name

3. Nominee Full Job Title

4. Nominee Email

5. Nominee Phone

6. Name of School

7. School County/District

8. How long has the school, district, or department been under the administrator's supervision?

9. Describe some of the features of the school, district, or department that demonstrate how the music program is exemplary under the nominee's leadership.  Include the curricular offerings, time allotment for students, and how the music programs in the school/district have been expanded or improved as a result of the administrator’s efforts.

10. How has the nominee's leadership strengthened the music program and positively impacted the school, district, or community? Include examples of student or program awards/recognition in the arts, advocacy for music education, financial commitment, and good rapport with students, educators, and caregivers.

11. How does the nominee promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) in their school and community? 

12. At least one (1) letter of recommendation.

13. At least two (2) professional references, including email and phone contact information.

14. Optional - Provide any other information that supports the selection of this nominee.

15. Nominator’s Name

16. Nominator’s Email

17. Nominator’s Phone

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MMEA Exemplary Music Program

 

Award Description

This award is to recognize outstanding school music programs. 

 

Nominee Qualifications

Any public, private, or independent school in the State of Maryland that has not received this award in the past five years. The music educator in charge of this program must be a member of MMEA/NAfME.

 

Nomination Criteria

1. Outstanding curriculum, program goals & objectives, unique materials & teaching strategies.

2. Strong student participation in music programs and honor ensembles.

3. Innovative teaching strategies and materials

4. Support for the music program on the part of the local administration and/or the board of education.

5. Exemplifies diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) in their school and community.

6. Community involvement and support, such as: number of students involved in community musical organizations, parental involvement, and community recognition

 

Required Nomination Information

1. Program Director Name

2. Program Director Email

3. Program Director Phone

4. Name of School

5. Official name of the School Music Program

6. School County/District

7. Type of Music Program

8. Principal Name

9. Principal Email

10. Describe the curriculum, program goals, and objectives.

11. How has this music program positively impacted students? Include statistics regarding student participation data and honor ensembles.

12. How does this music program demonstrate excellence? Include curriculum, program goals, innovative instructional practices, and unique teaching strategies.

13. How do school leadership and the community support the success of this music program? Include administrative support, parent involvement, community partnerships, board support, and DEIA efforts. 

14. At least one (1) letter of recommendation.

15. At least two (2) professional references, including email and phone contact information.

16. Optional - Provide any printed programs or news articles.

17. Optional - Any other information that supports the selection of this nominee.

18. Nominator’s Name

19. Nominator’s Email

20. Nominator’s Phone

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The Corwin Taylor Music Education Leadership Award

 

Award Description

This award is to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to the music education of Maryland’s youth. The Corwin Taylor Music Education Leadership Award was established in 1993 in memory of Dr. Corwin H. Taylor (1905-1992), noted musician, composer, author, and educator. Dr. Taylor, an active member of the Music Educators National Conference (now National Association for Music Education, NAfME) and the Maryland Music Educators Association, was Supervisor of Instrumental Music for the Baltimore Public School system from 1945 to 1968 and a faculty member at the University of Maryland at College Park from 1968 to 1976.

 

Nominee Qualifications

An educator, administrator, caregiver/parent, industry representative, or performer in Maryland. Membership in MMEA/NAfME is encouraged but not required.

 

Nomination Criteria

1. Demonstrated connection to music education in Maryland.

2. Significant contributions to the music education of Maryland’s youth.

 

Required Nomination Information

1. Nominee Name

2. Nominee Email

3. Nominee Phone

4. How has the nominee made a significant contribution to music education in Maryland, and why are they deserving of this award? Include their connection to music education in Maryland and the impact of their contributions on Maryland's youth. 

5. At least one (1) letter of recommendation.

6. At least two (2) professional references, including email and phone contact information

7. Optional - Please provide any other information that supports the selection of this nominee.

8. Nominator’s Name

9. Nominator’s Email

10. Nominator’s Phone

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The Rosemary and James Walters Award for Service

 

Award Description

This award is to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Maryland Music Educators Association. The Rosemary and James Walters Award for Service to the Maryland Music Educators Association was established in 2001 in memory of Rosemary and James Walters. Their teaching careers were in Maryland, spanning 30 years, until a tragic accident in April 2001. Jim taught instrumental music, most recently at Francis Scott Key Middle School in Montgomery County, while Rosemary taught choral music. Together, they characterized the essence of supporting the music education profession. They supported their colleagues, young and seasoned, and they supported every professional activity of the association and the school music community. Jim served as MBDA president, but his contribution was not limited to band activities. Rosemary eventually left the classroom to work full-time in church music, but her involvement as a substitute music teacher and as an accompanist continued. At nearly any MMEA event, it was typical to see Jim and Rosemary offering to assist when they were not “on duty,” doing whatever needed to be done.

 

Nominee Qualifications

Must have volunteered for MMEA in the capacity of an Executive Board Member, Component Board Member, adjudicator, ensemble manager, chaperone, or other volunteer position. Membership in MMEA/NAfME is encouraged but not required.

 

Required Nomination Information

1. Nominee Name

2. Nominee Email

3. Nominee Phone

4. How has the nominee demonstrated outstanding service to MMEA and music education in Maryland, and why are they deserving of this award? Include volunteer contributions, leadership, and impact on educators, students, and the association. 

5. At least one (1) letter of recommendation

6. At least two (2) professional references, including email and phone contact information

7. Optional - Please provide any other information that supports the selection of this nominee.

8. Nominator’s Name

9. Nominator’s Email

10. Nominator’s Phone

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MMEA Hall Of Fame

 

Award Description

This award is to recognize an individual for excellence in teaching and/or administration, contributions and improvements made in music education, betterment of the profession through exemplary service or acts, professional offices, publications, awards, recognition, performances, and professional ideals and academic integrity.

 

Nominee Qualifications

1. An educator or administrator in Maryland who displayed excellence and dedication in teaching or administration over the course of their career.  

2. The Nominee must be a member of MMEA/NAfME at the time of nomination.  If the nominee is retired or deceased, they must have been a member while teaching.

 

Required Nomination Information 

1. Nominee Name

2. Nominee Email (If nominee is deceased, then N/A)

3. Nominee Phone (If nominee is deceased, then N/A)

4. Current Status (Active, Retired, Deceased)

5. Length of time teaching or administration in music in Maryland. (Number of years and dates, e.g., 30 years, 1990-2020)

6. Teaching Field(s) - List all music fields the nominee has taught or administered.

7. Name of School(s) - List all schools where the nominee has taught or administered, including school district, if applicable.

8. How has the nominee demonstrated excellence and a lasting impact in music education? Include teaching or administrative accomplishments, service, and contributions to the profession.

9. How has the nominee demonstrated professional integrity while advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) in music education?

10. What professional accomplishments best reflect the nominee's career? Include professional offices, awards and recognitions. 

11. Upload copies of any published articles, commendations, or programs of public performances.

12. At least one (1) letter of recommendation.

13. At least two (2) professional references (including email and phone contact information).

14. Optional - Please provide any other information that supports the selection of this nominee.

15. Nominator’s Name

16. Nominator’s Email

17. Nominator’s Phone

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MMEA President’s Award 

 

Award Description

This award is presented by the MMEA President to recognize an individual for excellence in the field of music and/or music education. MMEA also recognizes this individual as an outstanding supporter of the Maryland Music Educator Association.

 

Award Recipients

The award recipients are determined by the MMEA Executive Board.

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MMEA Distinguished Support Award 

 

Award Description

This award is presented by the MMEA Executive Board to recognize an organization or individual

for dedicated support to the field of music, music education, and/or support unique to the Maryland Music Educators Association.

 

Award Recipients

The award recipients are determined by the MMEA Executive Board.