Collegiate Chapters: chapter opportunities.

With the start of the school year right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about Collegiate Chapter activities As you begin planning, there are two items you should be certain to put on your to-do list:

* Apply for the MTNA Benjamin Whitten Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award

* Submit a proposal for a Collegiate Chapters session at the 2010 MTNA National Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

CHAPTER OF THE YEAR

Each year MTNA presents the MTNA Benjamin Whitten Collegiate Chapter and Collegiate Chapter Advisor of the Year Award to an outstanding collegiate chapter, its members and its advisor for demonstrating exceptional organization and depth of activities. The winning chapter will receive a $500 prize and be recognized at the 2010 MTNA National Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 20-24.

* A typed annotated list of chapter activities for the 2009-2010 school year.

* Materials supporting these activities such as programs, invitations, fliers, budget and outcome reports, newspaper articles and so on. Include materials and documentation for all activities--those that have already occurred and those planned for the remainder of the 2009-2010 academic year. Any number of activity descriptions may be submitted.

As activities are listed, please consider the following award criteria:

* Student membership involvement: Did/will the majority of members participate?

* Contribution to the benefit or growth of the chapter: How did/will the activities build chapter membership and participation?

* Contribution to and involvement with other musical organizations and the general community: How did/will chapter activities benefit your school, other organizations and/or the community?

* Creativity: Are activities a result of new concepts or lessons learned from past attempts?

Attainment of goals: How did/will activities meet educational, membership, fund-raising, outreach or other goals for the chapter, community or campus?

Applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2010. Finalists will be notified by March 1, 2010. Send all application materials to: Music Teachers National Association, Attn: Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award, 441 Vine St., Ste. 3100, Cincinnati, OH 45202-3004.

CHAPTER SESSIONS

MTNA is accepting proposals for Collegiate Chapter sessions until November 3, 2009.

To be considered, submit the following:

* Abstract for a 50-minute session

* Names/degree status of presenters

* Collegiate chapter officers/faculty advisor

* Equipment needs

* Group photo of presenters

* Description of session not to exceed 35 words

For further details about the MTNA Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award or Collegiate Chapter sessions, go to www.mtna.org or contact MTNA at [phone] or [e-mail].

STAR AWARD

The Student Achievement Recognition Award (STAR) is given to outstanding music students who intend to teach professionally in an independent or collegiate music studio. Faculty and administrators select recipients on the basis of excellence in academic achievement, successful teaching experience and demonstrated leadership abilities. In addition, these graduates are eligible to enter the MTNA Studio Fellowship Award program.

The Student Achievement Recognition (STAR) program grants free one-year active national or collegiate memberships to outstanding graduating music students. In addition, the recipients are eligible to compete for the MTNA Studio Fellowship Award. This $3,000 award is designed to assist a music teacher to establish, develop and enhance their studio.

The MTNA Studio Fellowship Program was established to help music teachers develop and enhance their newly established studios. The award is presented to the candidate who most clearly demonstrates a strong commitment to the music teaching profession.

For more information on how to nominate a student for the StAR Award, visit www.mtna.org/Programs/Awards/StAR/tabid/285/Defau It.aspx.