Minnesota Music Teachers Association

The Minnesota Music Teachers Association was organized on June 27, 1901 under the auspices of the Professional League of St. Paul, and is affiliated with the Music Teachers National Association. Clarence A. Marshall was the first president of the MMTA. According to the Association's constitution, it was organized to "promote the true culture of music by the interchange of ideas, to advance the interest of musical art, and to foster professional fraternity." Active members were professional teachers of voice, musical instruments, or "any subject pertaining to the theory of music."

The MMTA held annual conventions which included concerts, business meetings, papers, round table discussions, and workshops. Conventions were held in cities throughout Minnesota. In 1913 the MMTA began testing teachers for the Certificate of Licentiate in an effort to standardize music education in the state. Candidates were expected to pass examinations in their musical specialty, music theory, and the history of music. In 1970 the MMTA created a syllabus for student examinations, which further standardized the teaching of music in Minnesota.

In the season of 1928-1929 the MMTA began sponsoring a concert by student winners chosen in statewide competition. In 1936 the MMTA developed a program of ten-piano concerts, given by winners of regional piano tryouts. The Ten-Piano Concert evolved into twelve, then twenty pianos, and later became the State Honor Student Concert or Honors Concert.

From the guide to the Association Records., 1904-2009., (Minnesota Historical Society)