CMEA honors outstanding music educators, classroom teachers, administrators and other state leaders each year at its state convention. Each of these individuals exemplifies what we identify as excellence and dedication in providing young people an education in music. CMEA, through the California Music Education Foundation, offers industry members and individuals the opportunity to name one of these awards through a fixed-term or permanent endowment.

Nine of the CMEA yearly awards are currently named. They are:

CMEA Peripole General Music Educator Award
CMEA John Swain College/University Educator Award
CMEA Aubrey Penman Retired Music Educator Award
CMEA Don Schmeer/Byron Hoyt Band Educator Award
CMEA Maynard Morland Classroom Teacher Award
CMEA Pearson-Silver Burdett Choral Music Educator Award
CMEA Richard L. Levin Orchestra Educator Award
CMEA Ernest R. Yee  Illuminating Culture Award
CMEA Paul A Shaghoian Jazz Educator Award

Other awards currently given by CMEA are available for naming and endowment. Additional awards may also be proposed for CMEA consideration. The other current awards are:

CMEA Legislative Music Leader Award
CMEA Collegiate NAfME Chapter Award
CMEA Music Industry Leadership Award
CMEA Elementary Music Specialist Award
CMEA Middle School Music Specialist Award

A short description of each award is available on the awards page of the website.

Honorees receive a permanent award that is presented during the gala awards banquet and the educator and a guest are hosted for dinner. Endowed awards include the name of the benefactor in the award name and CMEA invites the benefactor to participate in the award presentation.

A $3000 donation will permanently endow an award of your choice. Alternatively, a $1800 donation will endow an award of your choice for a 10-year period or an award may be endowed on a yearly basis for $250. These donations are fully tax deductible.

Please contact Trish Adams – Executive Administrator, if you would like to discuss an endowment.

California Music Education Foundation
PO Box 359 · Hanford, CA 93232

Telephone: 559-904-2002 · Email: cmea@calmusiced.com