OMEA Award Nomination Window Open from June 1 - November 1
Submit award nominations through the google form links
Award recipients will be announced at the annual conference in January.
Award Nomination Google Form Links:
Excellence in Elementary Music Education
Exemplary Service to the Profession
John C. McManus Distinguished Teacher
Outstanding Administrator Award
Outstanding Early Career Music Educator Award
Outstanding Middle School Music Educator Award
Past OMEA Awards Recipients
Congratulations and thank you for your support of music education in the State of Oregon!
Excellence in Elementary Music Education
This Award Recognizes- commitment to elementary music education and remarkable achievement in focusing on teaching children through music.
2007- Denise Phillips, Elementary Music Jacob Wismer Elementary, Vancouver
2008- Melinda Jordan, Elementary Music Verne Duncun Elementary, Happy Valley
2009- Suzanne Light, General Music Irving Elementary, Bethel School District, Eugene
2010- Wendy Appleton, General Music Sam Boardman Elementary School, Boardman
2011- Louise Kienzle, General Music Humbolt Elementary School, John Day
2012- Richard Greiner, General Music Archer Glen Elementary & Eddy Ridge Elementary, Newberg
2013- Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2014-Donna Kagan, Elementary Music Elementary Honor Groups, Portland
2015- Jennifer Mohr Colette, Elementary Music Fir Grove Elementary, Beaverton
2016- Kimberly Putnam, Elementary Music Hazeldale Elementary, Beaverton
2017 - Corin Parker
2018 - DeLee Brown, Salem-Keizer School District
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Val Ellett, David Douglas School District
2021 - Kendra Kay Friar,
Exemplary Service to the Profession
This Award Recognizes- significant contributions to the music education profession through leadership, service, and advocacy.
2008- Toni Skelton, Meyers Elementary School Salem-Keizer School District
2009- Marlan Carlson, Chair, Music Department Oregon State University
2010- Karl Raschkes, Music/Theater Arts Director Salem-Keizer School District
2011- Mike Wallmark, OSAA Associate Director Oregon Schools Activity Association
2012- Chuck Bolton, OSAA Band Festival Coordinator Retired
2013- Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2014- Jane and Jim Howell, OMEA Executive Directors La Grande
2015- Christopher Silva, Director of Choirs David Douglas High School, Portland
2016- Greg Weast, Columbia River Music The Dalles
2017 - Mary Ann Vidourek
2018 - Max McKee
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Dave Becker, Retired from Lewis and Clark University
2021 - Larry Graves, Retired
John C. McManus Distinguished Teacher
This award is to honor those with a life-time of service to music education with a highly distinguished record of professional accomplishment.
2000- John McManus, Professor Emeritus, Clarinet University of Oregon
2002- Jane Forvilly, Director of Bands and Orchestras Elmira High School
2004- Randall Moore, Elementary Music Education University of Oregon
2005- Dave Becker, Director of Bands and Orchestras Lewis and Clark College
2006- Gary Frame, Director of Choirs South Salem High School
2007-Sally Mc Bride, Adams Elementary School, Corvallis School District
2008- Chuck Bolton, Director of Bands and Orchestras Sam Barlow High School
2009- Ben Brooks, Director of Bands and Orchestras Reynolds High School
2010- Charles Creighton, Director of Orchestras Crescent Valley High School, Corvallis
2011- Gene Burton, Director of Bands McKarty Middle School, Gresham-Barlow School District
2012- Debbie Glaze, All-Northwest President- k-20 Music Educator, Portland State University
2013- Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2014- Loren Wenz, 9-20 Educator, George Fox University
2016- Dick Elliott, 9-20 Educator, George Fox University
2017 - Dr. Tina Bull, Oregon State University
2018 - Michael Burch-Pesses, Pacific University
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Nita Van Pelt, Retired
2021 - Steve Peter, Retired
Outstanding Administrator Award
In recognition of outstanding contributions to music education through administrative support
2009- Peyton Chapman, Principal Lincoln High School, Portland School District
2010- Cherie Stroud, Principal Crescent Valley High School, Corvallis
2010- Dan Jamison, Superintendent Sherwood School District
2011- Lynn Baker, Principal Summit High School, Bend
2012- Joel Sebastian, Principal Baker Paine Middle School - Canby
2013- Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2014- Rene Cardiff, Superintendent, South Middle School - Grants Pass
2014- Ed John, Principal West Salem High School
2015- Ron Beick, Principal North Medford High School
2015- Don Grotting, Superintendent David Douglas School District, Portland
2016- Laura Perez, Principal Straub Middle School, Salem
2017 - Brent Belveal, South Albany High School
2018 - Sandra Harris
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Bruce Schmidt, Principal, Sam Barlow High School, Gresham
2021 - Guadalupe Guerrero, Superintendent of Portland Public Schools
2021 - Lara Tiffin, South Salem High School Principal
Outstanding Contributor Award
In recognition of significant contributions to the Oregon Music Education Association. Individual, business, or organization that has contributed to music education in an extraordinary manner through service, leadership, or advocacy through music business, arts organizations, or advocacy.
2009- Janet Stewart, Assistant to the Dean University of Oregon, School of Music
2010- Lindy Wunn, Instrument Repair Specialist Portland Public Schools
2011- Keith Weathers, Owner of Weathers Music Weathers Music, Salem
2012- Steven M. Zielke, Director of Choral Studies, OMEA President 2006-2008 Oregon State University
2014- Ron Jeffers, Oregon State University
2013- Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2015- Charlie Eads, KGAL/KSHO Radio Station Willamette Valley
2016- Al Kato, Conference Exhibit Chair Portland
2017 - Larry Chamberlain, Yamaha
2018 - Joe Rohrbacher
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Philip Hodapp, School Service Representative, Beacock's Music
2021 - Randy Graves and Peter Heithoff, Bend Instrument Repair
Outstanding Early Career Music Educator
In recognition of teachers in the beginning of their career who are showing exemplary work with their students and in their communities. Ideal candidates for this award are within the first 7 years of their teaching career, inspire exemplary musicianship in their students, and have been an active participant in OMEA events.
Outstanding Middle School Music Educator
In recognition of an educators' commitment to middle-school/junior high music education and remarkable achievement in focusing on teaching children through music.
Outstanding Music Educator
In recognition of exemplary teaching in music education. These educators exemplify outstanding achievement in the field of music education
2006-Richard Elliott, Director of Bands Newberg High School
2007- Russell Christensen, Choral Director Sprague High School, Salem
2008- Mary Lou Boderman, Director of Bands South Salem High School
2009- Jim Howell, Director of Bands La Grande High School
2010- Patrick Vandehey, Director of Bands George Fox University, Newberg
2011- John Hammond, Director of Bands Warrenton High School, Warrenton
2012- Joe Ingram, Director of Bands Shasta Middle School , Eugene
2013- Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2014- Ike Nail, Director of Bands Western Oregon University, Monmouth
2015- Mark Steighner, Director of Music Hood River Valley High School
2016- John Hillan, Elementary Music Lowrie Primary School, Wilsonville
2017 - Dave Sime & Marcia Stevens
2018 - Chris Chapman, Oregon State University & Cinda Reeves-Snyder
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Ken Graber, Choir Director at North Bend High School
2021 - Dijana Ihas, Pacific University
OMEA Lifetime Achievement Award
2018 - Jim & Jane Howell, past OMEA Executive Directors, retired 2017
