In praise of local associations.

Every day, our profession and our association are faced with many challenges and opportunities. And through the efforts of dedicated, determined music teachers and the empowerment of association, we can make a difference--at the local, state and national levels. And in doing so, we will find ourselves accomplishing our common purposes in new, exciting and fulfilling ways.

And as we deal with these exciting new possibilities, my desire is that MTNA he faithful to its founding vision. That vision is found in MTNA's mission: to advance the value of music study and music making to society and to support the professionalism of independent and collegiate studio music teachers. This vision must continue to be our guide.

Now, just as when MTNA was founded, it is through the efforts of our members at the local association level that we achieve our purposes as national association. If it doesn't happen at the local level, it cannot happen at the state level and national level. In the final analysis, "all association is local," so it makes it all the more imperative that we be local in our focus as a national organization and maintain our commitment to the local associations.

MTNA has more than 600 local associations across the United States, Each local MTA is guided by a capable, dedicated group of people led by a president. These presidents are the conduit through which much of the information from MTNA national headquarters flows to the general membership. These women and men who serve as local presidents perform an important role in the association. On behalf of the association, I want to take this opportunity to thank the local MTNA presidents and leadership for the time and effort they devote to their professional association.

I want to conclude with a challenge. When I began as Executive Director almost seven years ago, I made an audacious statement: "MTNA should be the preeminent music association in the country." I truly believe it because our members are the backbone of the arts in the local communities. And it not only should be, it can be. And it will be as each of us accepts the mandate to provide compelling and creative leadership in our respective areas of responsibility, whether it is in the studio with your students or in the halls of government with your elected leaders. I hope you will accept this challenge. I promise you my total commitment. But it will amount to little without your continued, dedicated involvement with MTNA and your state and local MTAs. The tasks are too great and the mission is too important to be left to a few individuals. We must use the collective strength of an empowered association to achieve excellence in our art and excellence in our teaching. Together we will make MTNA the preeminent music organization in the country. Let's continue to work in partnership to make it so!

To our local associations, thank you--and keep up the good work.

--Gary L. Ingle 

Executive Director