History  

Through the local press, a meeting of music teachers of San Antonio was called on the mezzanine floor of the St. Anthony Hotel , Wednesday, March 24, 1915. After lengthy discussion as to the purpose of such a meeting, and having decided that a music teacher's organization would raise the standard of the profession in San Antonio, the nineteen teachers present organized "The Music Teachers Association of San Antonio, Texas". Committees were elected for establishing requirements, drafting a constitution and by-laws, and a Chairman was selected.  

The first meeting was held in the Tapestry Room of the St. Anthony Hotel , March 31, 1915. A constitution and by-laws were presented and permanent officers were elected at a meeting on April 14, 1915. Mr. J.M. Steinfeldt became the first president.  

Early meetings were held every other month from September to May. Each meeting ended with a performance or presentation of a paper by a member. The first yearbook with members' names, constitution, by-laws, and a list of scheduled activities was printed October, 1919.  

Membership quickly rose to close to one hundred and fifty active members, five contributing members and five local honorary members. The scope of activities has expanded over the years to include many activities for members' students, the latest being the establishment of a SAMTA Scholarship Fund in 1988.  

Professionalism and quality teaching have continued to be the purpose of the San Antonio Music Teachers Association for over eight decades.