Dustin Harris, center, Band Director at Cuyahoga Falls High School, receives the 2018 Music Educator of the Year Award from Executive Director Paul Jarrett, left, and Music Director Christopher Wilkins. (Photo by Dale Dong Photography)

The Akron Symphony Orchestra is currently accepting nominations for the Music Educator of the Year Award. This annual award will be presented by Music Director Christopher Wilkins at the Nov. 16, 2019, concert at E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. The honored music teacher will be selected by a panel of qualified judges from our regional area.

The nominee must be a music teacher in a public, private or parochial setting in grades Pre-K to 12, or at the college or university level. Nominees must teach in Cuyahoga, Medina, Portage, Stark or Summit counties.

A $500 prize, sponsored by the Trillium Schools of Music, will be awarded to the winning teacher’s respective music program in his or her name.

Related: Steven Cocchiola named ASO Music Educator of the Year for 2017
Related: Dustin Harris named ASO Music Educator of the Year for 2018

The purpose of this award is to promote a greater understanding of and appreciation for the value of music education in our schools. It seeks to honor those music teachers who make a real difference through their dedication and involvement to the stability and growth of music education in their communities.

Nominees should be music teachers who:

• instill a lifelong appreciation of music in their students;
• inspire their students to attain high levels of musical understanding and ability;
• make a significant impact on their communities through music education;
• extend their efforts and influence beyond the classroom;
• foster a love of music and make a lasting impact in the lives of their students from all levels of ability and background.

All nominees will be recognized in the Nov. 16, 2019, My Symphony concert program. All nominees will be invited to attend that evening’s Akron Symphony Orchestra concert and will receive two free tickets, as well as the opportunity to attend a post-concert reception. The teacher chosen to receive this award will receive four free tickets to the concert. The person who nominated the award winner will also receive a free ticket.

Nomination forms are available to download below or by contacting Orzella Matherson, Community Engagement and Education Coordinator, at 330.535.8131.

Nominations must be returned to the Akron Symphony office by June 15, 2019.