History of the MTACC

The Music Teachers Association of Clark County (MTACC) was founded in 1931 as a chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA) and was first known as Vancouver Music Teachers Association.  As is true today, the organization provided programs and enrichment for its members and their students.  Professionalism and support of the arts in Vancouver WA and surrounding Clark County areas was highly regarded and encouraged.  

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Committees were appointed, officers were elected, dues were 50¢ (!) per year and documentation of discussions, concerts, and performances on Beethoven, Schubert, Rachmaninoff, and all the other great composers were in each recording of the Secretary's minutes.  The minutes of April 15, 1935 reveal that particular day's discussion centered around the value of this organization and "the consensus of opinion was that it had been of definite benefit in spite of difficulties - and had earned a place for itself."  

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Over the years, the name was changed to Music Teachers Association of Clark County to more accurately reflect the influence and contributions of the independent music teachers in the surrounding communities of Amboy, Battle Ground, Brush Prairie, Camas, LaCenter, and Woodland, as well as Vancouver WA.

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Each year, MTACC members are offered monthly programs and workshops for continuing education and professional development.  Educational and competitive performance activities, such as Festivals, Honors Competitions, the Music Artistry Program, the Music Literacy Program, and Recitals are offered to students.  Our teachers are also members of WSMTA and MTNA. 

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Washington State Music Teachers Association

The Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA), organized in 1915, is affiliated with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).  With a membership of nearly 1,100 WSMTA includes independent teachers in private studios and collegiate teachers in the university setting, dedicated to enriching the lives of nearly 28,000 young musicians.  The association regularly offers educational and performance opportunities for teachers, students, and the community.  The WSMTA newsletter The Clarion is published monthly and distributed to members.

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Music Teachers National Association

The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) has existed to support music teaching and the art of music since 1876 when Theodore Presser and 61 of his colleagues founded it, making it America's oldest professional music organization.  Members receive the bi-monthly publication, the American Music Teacher.  

 

"The mission of the MTNA and its affiliates is to advance the value of music study and music making in society and to support the professionalism of music teachers.  The mission is accomplished by members who teach with competence, act with integrity, volunteer services to association programs, provide professional support for colleagues and communities, and comply with all laws and regulations that impact the music teaching profession.  The mission calls for an ethical commitment to students, to colleagues, and to society."