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.

The mission of MTNA is to advance the value of music study and music making in society and to support the professionalism of music teachers.

The mission is accomplished by members who teach with competence, act with integrity, volunteer their services to MTNA programs, provide professional support for colleagues and communities, and

comply with all laws and regulations that impact the music teaching profession. The mission calls for an ethical commitment to students, to colleagues, and to society.

COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS: The teacher shall conduct the relationship with students and families in a professional manner.

The teacher shall respect the personal integrity and privacy of students unless the law requires disclosure.

The teacher shall clearly communicate the expectations of the studio.

The teacher shall encourage, guide and develop the musical potential of each student.

The teacher shall treat each student with dignity and respect, without discrimination of any kind.

The teacher shall respect the student’s right to obtain instruction from the teacher of his/her choice.

COMMITMENT TO COLLEAGUES: The teacher shall maintain a professional attitude and shall act with integrity in regard to colleagues in the profession.

The teacher shall respect the reputation of colleagues and shall refrain from making false or malicious statements about colleagues.

The teacher shall refrain from disclosing sensitive information about colleagues obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law.

The teacher shall respect the integrity of other teachers’ studios and shall not actively recruit students from another studio.

The teacher shall participate in the student’s change of teachers with as much communication as possible between parties, while being sensitive to the privacy rights of the student and families.

COMMITMENT TO SOCIETY: The teacher shall maintain the highest standard of professional conduct and personal integrity.

The teacher shall accurately represent his/her professional qualifications.

The teacher shall strive for continued growth in professional competencies.

The teacher is encouraged to be a resource in the community.

+ John M. Steinfeldt 1915-1917

+ Walter Romberg 1917-1918

+ Mrs. H. M. Madison 1918-1920

+ Frederick King 1920-1921

+ Ray R. Repass 1921-1923

+ Oscar J. Fox 1923-1925

+ Alice Mayfield Brooks 1925-1927

+ Hugh McAmis 1927-1928

+ Mrs. Alexander McCollister 1928-1930

+ Francis De Burgos 1930-1932

+ Meta Hertwig 1932-1934

+ David Griffin 1934-1936

+ Mary Stewart Edwards 1936-1938

+ Tekla Staffel 1938-1940

+ Edith W. Law 1940-1942

+ Stella Seymour 1942-1944

+ LaRue Conlon 1944-1946

+ Ardis Ward 1946-1948

+ Dr. J. Ralph Ewing 1948-1950

+ Dr. H. Grady Harlan 1953-1955

+ Hazel Whitley Petraitis 1955-1957

Katheryne Verity 1957-1959

John Seagle 1959-1961

+ Dorothy Doll Nobiling 1961-1963

+ Rodney Hoare 1963-1965

+ Elizabeth Driscoll 1965-1967

Robin Abraham 1967-1969

Jesse W. Boyd, Jr. 1969-1971

+ Eleanor West Kellogg 1971-1973

Donna Mae Perry Jones 1973-1975

+ Andrew Milhalso 1975-1977

+ Estelle Moore 1977-1979

Dr. Doris Harrel 1979-1980

+ Estelle Moore 1980-1981

Peggy Abraham 1981-1983

Joseph Saglimbeni 1983-1985

Margy Honeck 1985-1987

Deborah Sandoval 1987-1989

+ Janice K. Hodges 1989-1990

Sharon Kocurek 1990-1991

Evelyn Stevenson 1991-1992

April Abraham 1992-1994

Thomas Masinter 1994-1996

Bobbie Teska 1996-1998

Valerie Thompson 1998-2000

Ann Howell 2000-2002

Vida Scott 2002-2004

Bill Mann 2004-2005

Dr. Kasandra Keeling 2006-2006

Peter Shavney 2006-2008

Pablo Aguilar 2008-2010

+ indicates deceased