AMTL’s Involvement in the 1936 National Music Educators Conference

https://www.jstor.org/stable/3384639

In May 1936, the Associated Music Teachers League (AMTL) played an active role in the Music Educators National Conference, held in New York City. The conference was a major event, attracting over 8,000 participants, including teachers, musicians, and educational leaders from across the United States.

One of the key highlights of the conference was the collaboration between AMTL and other music organizations to offer valuable workshops and clinics. In particular, the piano clinics, co-hosted by the Piano Teachers Congress of New York and AMTL, were highly popular and drew large audiences. These clinics provided practical insights into piano pedagogy and performance, reinforcing the importance of quality music education.

The conference also featured a variety of other clinics, including vocal clinics led by the New York Voice Educators Committee. These sessions, along with band and orchestra clinics, demonstrated the broad scope of the event, which aimed to enhance teaching standards across all musical disciplines.

Beyond these educational offerings, the conference showcased innovative educational films and demonstrations, including “Sound Waves and Their Sources” and Kurt Weill’s music for Max Reinhardt’s “The Eternal Road”. These presentations were instrumental in illustrating scientific and artistic advances in music education.

Participants praised the conference for its organization and impact, noting that it brought together musicians from various backgrounds, fostering a sense of shared purpose and collaboration. The event helped to solidify AMTL’s role as a leader in music education, providing a platform for professional development and the exchange of ideas.

The 1936 conference, organized by the Music Educators National Conference, remains a landmark event in the history of music education, and AMTL’s contributions were central to its success.

Key Highlights:

• Participants: Over 8,000 attendees from across the United States
• AMTL’s Role: Co-hosted popular piano clinics and supported other educational workshops
• Impact: Strengthened AMTL’s position as a leader in music education and helped elevate teaching standards

Sources: The Conference Goes to New York, Music Educators Journal, Vol. 22, No. 6 (May, 1936), pp. 12-17 (6 pages), https://doi.org/10.2307/3384639, https://www.jstor.org/stable/3384639