AMTL Members and the New York Music Week Competitions

Music-Week-Competition---Musical-Courier--1927-06-16--Vol-94-Iss-24

Music-Week-Competition—Musical-Courier–1927-06-16–Vol-94-Iss-24

The 1927 New York Music Week Association competitions highlighted the dynamic role of music educators in promoting high standards in the field. While the event was not directly organized by the Associated Music Teachers League (AMTL), it featured prominent involvement from several AMTL-affiliated individuals, reinforcing the League’s mission to elevate the profession.

 

AMTL Members as Judges

Key AMTL figures, including Ernest A. Ash, Gustave L. Becker, Ellis J. Moss, Nathan A. Ulanov, and Bernard Ravitch, served as judges during these competitions. Their participation reflects AMTL’s commitment to fostering excellence and integrity in music education. The presence of these members ensured that the competitions adhered to rigorous standards, which were foundational to AMTL’s ethos.

 

Elevating Music Education

The competitions played a transformative role in improving music education by exposing and discouraging the practices of unqualified “fake music teachers.” Students of such instructors reportedly struggled to progress, prompting many to seek more qualified guidance. This aligns with AMTL’s goal of professionalizing music teaching and advocating for higher public recognition of its importance.

The competitions utilized some of New York’s most prestigious venues, including Steinway Hall and Town Hall, both of which were closely associated with AMTL’s activities. This shared cultural space underscores the interconnectedness of New York’s music education and performance communities, with AMTL members contributing significantly to both.

The 1927 New York Music Week competitions exemplify the active engagement of AMTL members in broader efforts to raise the standards of music education in New York City. By serving as judges and upholding rigorous standards, AMTL figures played a vital role in shaping a more robust and credible music teaching profession, further cementing the League’s influence on the cultural and educational landscape of the time.

 

Source: Musical Courier 1927-06-16: Vol 94 Iss 24, https://archive.org/details/sim_music-magazine-and-musical-courier_1927-06-16_94_24/page/26/mode/2up