Pensacola Music Teachers Association
HISTORY
In
the
fall of 1949, Lucille Sellars attended her first Florida State
Music Teachers Association convention in Tallahassee. She had
graduated from Florida State University the previous spring, and was
living in her hometown of Defuniak Springs, beginning her career as a
private piano teacher. Since there was no organized association of
teachers in northwest Florida, the Dean of the FSU School of Music asked
her to come to Pensacola and start a local organization. Although
Lucille was initially met with resistance from some of the local
established teachers, she finally succeeded in putting together a small
group in the early 50?s to form the first Pensacola Music Teachers
Association. The earliest members included Lucille, Harry Newkirk
(the first PMTA president), Nancy Newkirk, Herschel Pierce, Elizabeth
Moreno and James Guest. There were several years that just a
faithful few kept the organization going. Lucille served as State
President from 1959-1961, the only member to date from Pensacola to hold
that office.
While
the 50's could be described as a period of struggle, the
60's found the association stable, but not growing. Around
1962 or 1963, the state convention was held in the old San Carlos Hotel in
downtown Pensacola. With barely 20 members to do all of the work for
such an event, it was the "shot in the arm" that caused the
organization to grow and move forward. During this decade several
clinicians (Jane Bastien, James Bastien, Robert Dumm, David Glover,
William Gillock, and Lynn Freeman Olson, to name a few) came to town for
workshops and seminars held at Reynalds Music on Garden Street.
PMTA
continued to grow and gain members through the 70's, 80's
and 90's. PMTA hosted several state conventions and
conferences; continued our mission of serving students by establishing
Sonata Contest, District Student Day, Mall Recitals, Concerto Contests,
and the Fall Festival; and sponsored workshops, concerts, and
masterclasses for the continuing education of our members. Through
our Scholarship Program, administered jointly with the Sonata Contest,
talented and deserving students have received cash awards for their
continuing music education. Jo Hovind began an orientation program
for new members, and under presidents Stephanie Womble and Jeff Crumb, we
gained official non-profit/tax-exempt status. In 2001 we began a
lending library with donated books, and the official PMTA website was
established. 2004 marked the
25th anniversary of the annual Sonata Contest, which is the
largest competition of its kind in the Music Teachers National
Association. Composer Kevin Olson commissioned Sonatina in Flight
for this occasion, and performed the work at the event. These
endeavors continue to grow and serve our members.
At present, PMTA continues to be a viable influence in the music teaching community for area teachers. Holding monthly meetings at Dollarhide's Music and Sound on Palafox, we have lively programs to challenge, entertain and educate us.
~ Shelley Barter & Carolyn Carson
"Historic Meeting"
At the PMTA meeting on October 17, 2002 Mrs. Lucille Sellars was honored as the founder of the PMTA and given a lifetime membership in the association. The award was presented by President Dr. Jeff Crum, was filmed by local television station WEAR-TV3 and aired on the local news for the next day.
 Shelley & Lucille wait for the meeting to start |
 Lucille is surprised by the award from Dr. Crum |
 Shelley, Lucille & Dr. Crum after the meeting. |
At that same meeting Dr. Crum announced that PMTA had been selected as the Outstanding Chapter in the Florida State Music Teachers Association for the last year.
It was also at that meeting that the Chapter celebrated it's Fiftieth Anniversary.
"The Pensacola Music Teachers Association is a vibrant, active association of music teaching professionals who invite potential students to contact them about instruction and other teachers to join them."
"The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires."
~ William Arthur Ward
All content on this page is copyright © 2007 by the Pensacola Music Teachers Association and www.pmta.info unless otherwise noted. Unauthorized use or reproduction prohibited. Webmasters: Monika Durbin & Bill Dollarhide