Michibago supports music teachers and students of our members by offerings awards to further their musical growth. The awards are funded through generous donations as well as through programs sponsored by our organization. Members and their students are encouraged to apply.
General Guidelines for MMTA awards.
General Guidelines for MMTA awards.
- To apply for either a Teacher Enrichment Award or Student Award, the applicant must be a member or student of a member of Michibago Music Teachers Association.
- Students must be taking private lessons with a member of MMTA at the time of the application and/or event.
- Adult family members may help younger students complete application materials.
| awards_application_word.docx |
Awards for Teachers
Teacher Enrichment Awards
Michibago members may apply for Teacher Enrichment Awards. These awards are meant to encourage teachers to participate in activities that promote continued advancement in their profession. College level coursework or other classes, conferences and workshops focused on music will be considered. (Private lessons will not be considered under this category.) To apply, the teacher should write a one-page letter of application stating what event he or she will be attending, why this event was chosen, the dates and cost of the event, and how the teacher feels that this event will improve the quality of his or her teaching. Please submit your application at least 4 weeks prior to the registration deadline for the event you wish to attend.
Meeting Childcare Voucher
MMTA Meeting Childcare Vouchers are intended for the members of MMTA where attending MMTA meetings becomes a difficulty due to childcare costs that may be incurred. MMTA members may be reimbursed up to 50% or $20.00 (lesser amount applicable) to offset their incurred childcare expenses. To receive reimbursement, members should complete a voucher at the MMTA meeting and give it to MMTA’s President or Awards Committee Chair. In the event that neither are present the voucher may be given to any member of MMTA’s Executive Board at the meeting. The completed voucher will be submitted to MMTA’s bookkeeper for prompt reimbursement to the MMTA member. Voucher packets are available at MMTA meetings from Beverly Mark, Elaine Phillips, or Louise Mann.
New Member Awards
These two-year awards are intended to encourage teachers new to MMTA to become a part of MMTA. During the first year of this award, MMTA will pay the teacher’s national and state dues; the teacher will pay the local dues. During the second year of this award, MMTA will pay the teacher’s national dues; the teacher will pay the state and local dues. New Teacher Awards will be considered on an ongoing basis. Please submit a one-page letter of application with your background information, total years of teaching, philosophy of teaching, size of your studio, and how MMTA membership will be of benefit.
Emeritus Member Award
MMTA respects the knowledge and expertise of longstanding teachers in the Michibago area. This award is given to retired members (as defined by either MTNA Senior Citizen or Retired member guidelines). The prospective candidate must be at least 65-years-old, and an active participant in MMTA. This award covers 50% of state and national dues and waives the local association dues.
Studio Award
MMTA member studios impact our organization as well as the music community in a variety of ways. We want our members to dream big. The Studio Award can be used to bring in a prominent presenter, presentation or event, or to assist in financing a large studio purchase that would benefit an entire studio. Aspects of the award could be available to the entire MMTA membership and must be available to the entire studio to be considered. Items/events with a WOW factor are a priority. The maximum award is $300 and can not exceed 40% of the total budget for the event or purchase.
WMTA Member of the Year Award—Michibago
Wisconsin Music Teachers Association annually presents the Member of the Year award to honor one outstanding member of each local association. The award recipient is selected by local association members. Awards are presented at the state convention. Recipients receive a monatary award toward the registration for the state convention. Previous Michibago recipients of this award are:
Lydia Matthews, 2021
Shelba DeMaster, 2020
Sarah Vincent, 2019
Louise Mann, NCTM, 2018
Louise Mann, NCTM, 2017
Drea Wagner, NCTM, 2016
Arthur Johnson, 2015
Tricia Marton, 2014
Dr. Olga Rua, 2013
Marlene Wondergem, 2012
Tricia Marton, 2011
Drea Wagner, NCTM, 2010
Beverly Mark, 2009
Helen Bohman, 2008
Elaine Phillips, 2007
Marlene Wondergem, 2006
Dr. Arthur Johnson, 2005
Louise Mann, NCTM, 2004
Maryann Robinson, 2003
Robin Krause, 2002
Linda H O'Brien, 2001
Tess Weber, NCTM, 2000
Elaine Phillips, 1999
Louise Mann, NCTM, 1998
Jane Voigt, 1997
Teresa Weber, NCTM, 1996
Michibago members may apply for Teacher Enrichment Awards. These awards are meant to encourage teachers to participate in activities that promote continued advancement in their profession. College level coursework or other classes, conferences and workshops focused on music will be considered. (Private lessons will not be considered under this category.) To apply, the teacher should write a one-page letter of application stating what event he or she will be attending, why this event was chosen, the dates and cost of the event, and how the teacher feels that this event will improve the quality of his or her teaching. Please submit your application at least 4 weeks prior to the registration deadline for the event you wish to attend.
Meeting Childcare Voucher
MMTA Meeting Childcare Vouchers are intended for the members of MMTA where attending MMTA meetings becomes a difficulty due to childcare costs that may be incurred. MMTA members may be reimbursed up to 50% or $20.00 (lesser amount applicable) to offset their incurred childcare expenses. To receive reimbursement, members should complete a voucher at the MMTA meeting and give it to MMTA’s President or Awards Committee Chair. In the event that neither are present the voucher may be given to any member of MMTA’s Executive Board at the meeting. The completed voucher will be submitted to MMTA’s bookkeeper for prompt reimbursement to the MMTA member. Voucher packets are available at MMTA meetings from Beverly Mark, Elaine Phillips, or Louise Mann.
New Member Awards
These two-year awards are intended to encourage teachers new to MMTA to become a part of MMTA. During the first year of this award, MMTA will pay the teacher’s national and state dues; the teacher will pay the local dues. During the second year of this award, MMTA will pay the teacher’s national dues; the teacher will pay the state and local dues. New Teacher Awards will be considered on an ongoing basis. Please submit a one-page letter of application with your background information, total years of teaching, philosophy of teaching, size of your studio, and how MMTA membership will be of benefit.
Emeritus Member Award
MMTA respects the knowledge and expertise of longstanding teachers in the Michibago area. This award is given to retired members (as defined by either MTNA Senior Citizen or Retired member guidelines). The prospective candidate must be at least 65-years-old, and an active participant in MMTA. This award covers 50% of state and national dues and waives the local association dues.
Studio Award
MMTA member studios impact our organization as well as the music community in a variety of ways. We want our members to dream big. The Studio Award can be used to bring in a prominent presenter, presentation or event, or to assist in financing a large studio purchase that would benefit an entire studio. Aspects of the award could be available to the entire MMTA membership and must be available to the entire studio to be considered. Items/events with a WOW factor are a priority. The maximum award is $300 and can not exceed 40% of the total budget for the event or purchase.
WMTA Member of the Year Award—Michibago
Wisconsin Music Teachers Association annually presents the Member of the Year award to honor one outstanding member of each local association. The award recipient is selected by local association members. Awards are presented at the state convention. Recipients receive a monatary award toward the registration for the state convention. Previous Michibago recipients of this award are:
Lydia Matthews, 2021
Shelba DeMaster, 2020
Sarah Vincent, 2019
Louise Mann, NCTM, 2018
Louise Mann, NCTM, 2017
Drea Wagner, NCTM, 2016
Arthur Johnson, 2015
Tricia Marton, 2014
Dr. Olga Rua, 2013
Marlene Wondergem, 2012
Tricia Marton, 2011
Drea Wagner, NCTM, 2010
Beverly Mark, 2009
Helen Bohman, 2008
Elaine Phillips, 2007
Marlene Wondergem, 2006
Dr. Arthur Johnson, 2005
Louise Mann, NCTM, 2004
Maryann Robinson, 2003
Robin Krause, 2002
Linda H O'Brien, 2001
Tess Weber, NCTM, 2000
Elaine Phillips, 1999
Louise Mann, NCTM, 1998
Jane Voigt, 1997
Teresa Weber, NCTM, 1996
Awards for Students
Discretionary Awards -- MMTA is committed to assisting students meet their musical goals where financial concerns may be an issue. To this end, Discretionary Awards will be considered on an ongoing basis and will be determined by available funds in that year’s award budget. All decisions regarding Discretionary Awards will be made by the Awards Committee Chair and MMTA Executive Board, and will be final. All Discretionary Awards are needs-based.
General Discretionary Award
Teachers may nominate their student for a General Discretionary Award where there is a financial need that inhibits the musical growth of the student. Examples include, but are not limited to assistance in: instrument repair or purchase, lesson tuition, lesson materials, applicable workshops / seminars.
Festival Fees Awards
MMTA is committed to encouraging all students to participate in festivals. The Festival Fees Awards will cover the registration fee, up to $25, for a student to participate in a festival or competition sponsored by MMTA, WMTA, or MTNA. When there are funds available, the committee will consider events hosted by other organizations. Festival Fees Awards are needs-based. Applications for Festival Fees Awards will be considered on an ongoing basis.
Travel Grants
MMTA wants to encourage students to experience musical life beyond southeast Wisconsin. To assist our students, we are offering ‘travel’ grants to offset the cost of travel, transporting an instrument, and/or accompanist fees that families incur while participating in competitions outside the region. The maximum award for ‘travel’ grants is $50. ‘Travel’ Grants are not need-based. Applications for Travel Grants will be considered on an ongoing basis.
Summer Music Camp - These awards are not need-based. Please observe the deadline.
Summers can be a time of tremendous musical growth, especially when students attend a summer music camp. MMTA will provide financial assistance towards registration to students who attend local, regional or national music camps. Applications for assistance with Summer Music Camp fees are due by April 30.
Collegiate Conference Awards
MMTA is an organization of growth and support for all members, especially new teachers. MMTA collegiate members or area music majors (non MMTA members) can apply for a conference award to attend the WMTA state conference. This award covers $30 of the student registration fee to attend the state conference.
Music Study Award
The Music Study Award is an award of $500 designed to help a student take a significant step forward in their musical pursuits by defraying the cost of lessons or the purchase of music or an instrument. Students of all ages exhibiting a passion to pursue the study of music may apply for this award. A minimum of two Music Study Awards will be considered. Students are encouraged to apply no later than the first Saturday in April. Winners will be announced at the MMTA Young Musical Stars Concert held in May, at the Stephanie H. Weill Center. However, participation in Young Musical Stars is not a prerequisite for this award. The Music Study Award is awarded on a merit basis.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center Senior Honors Recital Honorariums
MMTA co-sponsors this prestigious competition for area high school graduating seniors. Winners are awarded $200 and the privilege of playing in the John Michael Kohler Senior Honor Recital.
Accompanying Award
Since 1987, Michibago has given accompanying awards to local graduating high school seniors. These certificates recognize the contributions these students have made in accompanying their school's music programs. Faculty who would like to nominate students for this award should contact Beverly Barnes Mark at [email protected].
Community Arts Awards
MMTA seeks to strengthen ties with Community Arts Organizations in our area by offering modest financial support. Our preference is for groups that feature a strong collaboration with MMTA and its members. Community Arts Organizations are allowed one application per year.
Events Outside MMTA/WMTA
For events outside of MMTA/WMTA where the award covers a registration fee, proof of paid registration must be received before a check is issued. If an award is received, the check will be paid directly to the recipient or the recipient's family, [except in the case of Lakeland College’s Summer Music Camp, where a check may be issued directly to Lakeland College with proof of registration.
If an award is given, award recipients are encouraged to provide an update to MMTA as to the results of any competition, event, class or workshop.
Award decisions of the Awards Committee are final.