The Greater Laurel Music Teachers Association traces its founding to 1971, when, as the Laurel Music Teachers Association, it consisted of ten charter members under the leadership of Patsy Stott. Three of these charter members are still actively participating ... Wendy Dengler, Douglas Guiles, and Louise McNally. The name change, some years later, was in recognition of the membership's diversity. In the spring of 1974 the GLMTA affiliated with the Maryland State Music Teachers Association and has grown until it now has a membership of approximately 40 members who teach composition, flute, music education, organ, piano, theory, and voice.

Current Officers:

Student activities were an early central theme of the GLMTA. In 1973, a scholarship for high school seniors was awarded competitively. In that year the Young Musicians Piano Competition was also started which later expanded to include other instruments and voice. A 1974 competition was named to honor Miriam Gottlieb. The name of this competition was changed in 1987 to honor one of her students, Darwin R. Kirchhof. The GLMTA also sponsors numerous other student activities besides the above mentioned events: recitals, an annual special interest festival, a yearly ensemble event, an annual composition/improvisation festival, the Erma Coleman Music Citizenship Award, multilevel concerto competitions for piano and instruments, the Mirabella Senior Award, the MSMTA scholarship Award, the Margaret Wardall Instrumental Competition, the Genia Robinor Piano Awards, and the Henri Carol Memorial Piano Competition. Active participation in the MSMTA Theory, Keyboard Musicianship programs, and in the High School Recognition Exams have been key elements in the student activity program. The GLMTA's active, student oriented program is remarkably effective because of its highly qualified and dedicated teacher members and a student activities chairman who since 1973 has provided strong and imaginative leadership.

Meetings are held mornings on the second Thursday of the month during the school year. During past meetings, teachers have shared new music discovered for teaching, swapped ideas on helping a particular student, watched videos on different aspects of teaching and performance, listened to a specialist in behavioral ophthalmology give a lecture on "is THIS why Johnny can't read?", planned for upcoming recitals and competitions, and enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow teachers. Interested teachers in the greater Laurel area are invited to visit to see what we have planned next!