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About Us

Our History

Baton Rouge Piano Teachers Association was founded in 1950 by Naomi Kennard Singleton who, along with other piano teachers in the area, felt a need to try and raise the standards of piano teaching and to find a way for piano teachers to exchange ideas. Therefore, a small group of teachers gathered at Mrs. Singleton's home for the very first meeting of the BRPTA. On March 8, 1995, Baton Rouge Piano Teachers Association voted to change its name to Baton Rouge Music Teachers Association. It is the hope of the organization to include teachers with expertise in other areas of music without sacrificing the original goals of the small group of 22 teachers in 1950.

Member Programs

To help raise the standards of teaching, the group planned interesting programs as a first priority. The group presented composer and artist Rudolph Gruen and later Maria Carreras, another concert pianist. In 1953, BRPTA sponsored an 11-year-old child prodigy from Philadelphia, Susan Starr, who performed at Baton Rouge High School Auditorium. For the first time, a program was open to the public and the proceeds from ticket sales were used to increase funds in the treasury.

Another goal was to help piano teachers exchange ideas. In 1952 Helen Ringo from Oklahoma University presented the first workshop. In 1953 Polly Gibbs, a profession of music at Louisiana State University, conducted a workshop on the newest methods of piano instruction. Bristow Hardin, director of Bristo Hardin School of Music in Virginia, and noted composer David Carr Glover also presented workshops. Frances Clark, Hazel Cobb, William Gillock, and Jane and James Bastien followed. With a still-scant treasury, the group welcomed the financial support of these ventures offered by the music publishers. More aid to the treasury came in 1972 when Dr. Milton Hallman, a professor of music at Louisiana State University, presented a piano lecture recital.

Scholarships and Competitions

The membership continued to grow as members continued to strive for excellence in pedagogy. Competitions were started to give students more opportunities to improve their piano performance. In 1952, the Piano Concerto Contest, in which the winner performed with either the Baton Rouge Symphony or Dr. Frank Collins at Louisiana State University, became an important project. The Sonata Contest (now called Tournament) began in 1956 under the direction of the charter member Celuta Liddle. Other competitions followed, using music from the Baroque and Romantic eras.

The Eleanor Fleming Scholarship, established in 1965, was a very important event; winners and their parents were honored each spring at a luncheon meeting. Later, Mrs. S.D. Allen's name was added to the scholarship, making it the Allen-Fleming Scholarship. In 1976, the Ethel C. Tison Award was established. These dedicated and highly-respected charter members helped to further the group's ideals.

The affiliation with the Louisiana Music Teachers Association on March 21, 1973, offered ways for teachers to become certified, and enhanced the quality of BRMTA by providing literature for professional music teachers. The group's participation in conventions has grown dramatically. In 1993 and 1994, BRMTA hosted both state and divisional conventions. As of 1995, BRMTA financially supports the president's attendance at the MTNA national convention.

BRMTA participates in the LMTA Rally, the LFMC Ensemble and Solo Festivals, the Louisiana State University Bach Contest, Piano Tournament, and other contests in the area. In 1988, the group added Halloween and Christmas Musicales and performances for various retirement homes in the city. In 1989, a Winners Recital and an Ensemble Musicale were instituted. In 1990, BRMTA, along with the Junior Beethoven Club, presented recitals featuring pianists, vocalists, and instrumentalists from the area. For many years, the Monster Concert, composed of 20 BRMTA teachers, entertained at one association meeting each year. In 2000, a high school student monster group was added.

In 1997, a concerto competition was instituted, giving students the opportunity to perform with the Louisiana Youth Orchestra. In addition, the first Summer Music Camp Scholarship was awarded to the student submitting the best essay.

Recent Developments

In 1997, a student chapter was formed at Louisiana State University, in accordance with MTNA guidelines. A group of students attended the MTNA National Convention in Dallas, Texas, thereby attaining their first goal. Future projects include establishing a musician referral service and sponsoring a competition, fostering their overall goal to promote excellence in teaching.

An annual JazzFest featuring clinicians, live combos, recitals, and hands-on sessions began in 1999 with the help of an MTNA matching grant.

In 2006, BRMTA was named Outstanding Local Affiliate by MTNA.

The small group of 22 teachers in 1950 has grown to about 85 today. Plans are continually being made to expand the original goals and the lasting impact that BRMTA makes upon the community it serves.

Joan Chastain, Historian