4 minute read
60 years
GREATER SHREVEPORT MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Celebrates 60 Years of Making Music BY GULYA CHANDLER
If you lived in Shreveport/Bossier area long enough and you or your children took private music lessons, chances are your teacher was a member of the Greater Shreveport Music Teachers Association (GSMTA). Your teacher probably introduced you to all kinds of music festivals and enough and you or your children took private competitions, where you met other parents, sat through numer-competitions, where you met other parents, sat through numer ous recitals and concerts, listened to many little wonderkids, and ous recitals and concerts, listened to many little wonderkids, and maybe even traveled to state competitions. So, what is Greater maybe even traveled to state competitions. So, what is Greater
Shreveport Music Teachers Association?
Greater Shreveport Music teachers Association was founded and affiliated with the Louisiana Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association in 1962. Sixty years ago a group of independent music teachers was united with the mission to improve teaching methods, encourage participation in MTNA and LMTA Certification programs, develop higher degrees of musical education and culture in the community, and broaden social relationships among members. For sixty years this group has been an excellent asset and a resource for this community, uniting music-teaching professionals. Our members teach in all types of settings, including churches, private and state schools and colleges, and in independent private studios. Two of our founders, Martha Bordelon and Billie Leach, are still teaching piano and playing for church services.
Music-making is truly a lifelong skill and joy. With different educational backgrounds, varying from incomplete undergraduate up to doctoral degrees in music performance or music education, our members share many professional opportunities for continued education through local, state, and national conferences, collaboration, networking, ongoing training in pedagogy, repertoire, and new technology and web trends. Aside from continued education, GSMTA members also have legal and business support, discounts for office supplies and auto and life insurance. The association has been closely working with local churches, businesses, and music stores. First Baptist Shreveport, First Presbyterian Shreveport, Kings Highway Church, Broadmoor United Methodist, Asbury United Methodist, Centenary College, LSUS, BPCC, Pendley's Piano Gallery, and Shreveport Music are just a few of the favorite and supportive partners of the GSMTA. Throughout the last couple of years of Covid shutdowns, GSMTA did not miss a beat (pun intended!). Our members were able to hold online competitions and festivals, online conferences and workshops. Parents and students were able to watch the performances through streams and recorded videos. Now that we are sic Teachers National Association in 1962. Sixty years ago a group of independent music teachers was united with the mission to improve teaching methods, encourage participation in MTNA and LMTA Certification programs, develop higher degrees of musical back to somewhat normal, GSMTA is picking up the tempo (another pun!), planning events for the upcoming school year, actively recruiting new members, and connecting seasoned educators with those at the beginning of their careers. education and culture in the community, and broaden social relationships among members. For sixty years this group has been an excellent asset and a resource for this community, uniting muGSMTA is as vibrant as ever, focused on providing a more musical future for students and the community! New members are always welcome. www.gsmta.org Our members teach in all types of settings, including churches, vate studios. Two of our founders, Martha Bordelon and Billie Music-making is truly a lifelong skill and joy. With different educational backgrounds, varying from incomplete undergraduate up to doctoral degrees in music performance or music education, our members share many professional opportunities for continued education through local, state, and national conferences, collaboration, networking, ongoing training in pedagogy, repertoire, and new technology and web trends. Aside from continued education, GSMTA members also have legal and business support, discounts for office supplies and auto and life insurance. The association has been closely working with local churches, businesses, and music stores. First Baptist Shreveport, First Presbyterian Shreveport, Kings Highway Church, Broadmoor United Methodist, Asbury United Methodist, Centenary College, LSUS, BPCC, Pendley's Piano Gallery, and Shreveport Music are just a few of the favorite and supportive partners of the GSMTA. Throughout the last couple of years of Covid shutdowns, GSMTA did not miss a beat (pun intended!). Our members were able to hold online competitions and festivals, online conferences and workshops. Parents and students were able to watch the performances through streams and recorded videos. Now that we are back to somewhat normal, GSMTA is picking up the tempo (another pun!), planning events for the upcoming school year, actively recruiting new members, and connecting seasoned educators with those at the beginning of their careers. GSMTA is as vibrant as ever, focused on providing a more musical future for students and the community! New members are always welcome. www.gsmta.org
Gulya Chandler, Ed.D., NCTM, is President of GSMTA and Professor Gulya Chandler, Ed.D., NCTM, is President of GSMTA and Professor and Music Program Director at Bossier Parish Community College. Photos courtesy of GSMTA.
