Pikes Peak Music Teachers Association is Local Association of the Year.

The Pikes Peak Music Teachers Association (PPMTA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the recipient of the 2005 MTNA Local Association of the Year Award, receiving this honor in recognition of organizing innovative programs and projects and incorporating new ideas. Jill Hanrahan is president.

PPMTA's unusual number of community outreach and advocacy projects reflects careful consideration of a variety of service projects, including scholarships, support of a children's listening program on a local radio station, donations to a children's chorale, work with a juvenile justice network to take music to at-risk children and various community contacts to help people become aware of PPMTA's presence in the community.

Pikes Peak holds a number of workshops for teacher enrichment and provides materials, such as a handbook containing festival entry forms and policy recommendations, as well as state and national ethics codes.

Detailed job descriptions are provided to encourage teacher participation in the association. A survey was taken of fee structures and lesson opportunities, with the results made available to the membership.

Many members attend the state conference, and several have presented workshops. In support of MTNA, members of PPMTA are encouraged to promote and attend the MTNA National Conference. Certification is encouraged and materials made available. MTNA membership benefits are publicized at the beginning of the year in various publications. A large number of teachers and students participate in the many performance opportunities held each year. Solo performances as well as ensemble auditions are held.

Finally, Pikes Peak exhibits outstanding professionalism and business-like management, organizing and participating in a variety of activities for the benefit of students and teachers alike as well as the community.

"As a former Colorado MTA member, I am extremely proud of Pikes Peak MTA for its selection as the MTNA Local Association of the Year. Its many student activities and its teacher professionalism set a high standard for other associations to pursue," says MTNA President Phyllis I. Pieffer, NCTM.

The Local Association of the Year Award recognizes the local association that makes the most significant contribution to the music teaching profession through participation in MTNA national programs and additional programs established within its state and local area. MTNA has nearly 600 local associations.