Waggoner Library: Music Education Research Guide: Professional Associations

Professional Associations for Music Educators

Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association
"The Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association was organized in 1938. The purpose of our organization is to promote the study of instrumental music through band and orchestra programs in the public and private schools of Middle Tennessee. The MTSBOA is an affiliate member of the Tennessee Music Education Association
and the National Association for Music Education." -- Website
Middle Tennessee State Vocal Association
"Middle Tennessee Vocal Association strives to provide activities that enhance the quality and scope of instruction in area school music programs. MTVA is a regional affiliate of the Tennessee Music Education Association and the National Association for Music Education." -- Website
Tennessee American Choral Directors Association
"The Tennessee American Choral Directors Association is a chapter of the national ACDA organization and represents and enhances the choral music profession in the state of Tennessee. We represent individuals who work in any capacity in leading choral music in schools, houses of worship, civic choral organizations, corporate or professional choral organizations as well as the singers that comprise those organizations and composers who write music for them." -- Website
Tennessee Music Education Association
"The Tennessee Music Education Association was officially formed in 1945 as a voluntary, non-profit organization representing all phases of music education at all school levels. The mission of TMEA is to promote the advancement of high quality music education for all." -- Website

American Bandmasters Association
"ABA is a dynamic, enthusiastic and robust organization with a deep reach into the fabric of American music, providing a wealth of opportunities for our profession including composition competitions, educational mentoring, educational project support, a task force for school bands, band research, outreach, position papers, reprinting of standard works that are out of print, and recognition for outstanding contributors." -- Website
American Choral Directors Association
"Founded in 1959, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is a nonprofit music-education organization whose expressed purposes outline the associations dedication to the advancement of choral music." -- Website
American Orff-Schulwerk Association
"The American Orff-Schulwerk Association is a professional organization of educators dedicated to the creative music and movement approach developed by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman." -- Website
American School Band Directors Association
"Founded in 1953, the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) is a national organization for band directors whose mission is to promote, enhance and preserve quality school programs through leadership and fellowship of exemplary band directors." -- Website
American String Teachers Association
"Founded in 1946, the American String Teachers Association exists to support string and orchestra teachers and players. Our members range from budding student teachers to artist-status performers. We provide teaching resources, a career center, professional education, insurance programs, local and national events, and access to a vibrant and sharing strings community." -- Website
Association of American Kodaly Educators
"Our mission is to support music education of the highest quality, promote universal music literacy and lifelong music making." -- Website
Dalcroze Society of America
"The DSA is a non-profit corporation dedicated to serving the following three-fold purpose pertaining to the professional practice of Dalcroze Education, the extended global community of practitioners and institutions dedicated to this practice, and the general public’s awareness and appreciation of it." -- Website
National Association for Music Education
"Founded in 1907, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is among the world’s largest arts education organizations, and is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education." -- Website
National Association of Teachers of Singing
"Founded in 1944, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with nearly 7,000 members in the United States, Canada, and nearly 30 other countries." -- Website
Society for Music Teacher Education
"The Society for Music Teacher Education is part of the National Association for Music Education." -- Website

Gordon Institute for Music Learning
"The Gordon Institute for Music Learning (GIML) is dedicated to advancing the research in music education pioneered by Edwin E. Gordon. The purpose of the Gordon Institute for Music Learning is to advance music understanding through audiation." -- Website
International Society for Music Education
Formed in 1953, ISME is an international organization for music educators that "seeks to celebrate the diverse ways that people engage with, and develop in and through, music." -- Website
Suzuki Association of the Americas
"The Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) is a coalition of teachers, parents, educators, and others who are interested in making music education available to all children. The SAA provides programs and services to members throughout North and South America. The SAA was founded in 1972 and currently has about 8,000 members." -- Website