About OMEA
About OMEA
Mission Statement
The Ohio Music Education Association believes...
...all students should have equal access to high quality music instruction delivered by licensed music teachers through comprehensive school programs in general, instrumental and choral music education.
OMEA advocates for:
- comprehensive school programs in general, instrumental, and choral music education,
- state and national music standards, with assessment to ensure that students meet high academic expectations,
- licensed teachers, adequate instructional time, and appropriate facilities and materials for music programs.
To achieve this mission, OMEA:
- promotes the highest levels of professional development for music teachers,
- works collaboratively with other organizations and businesses/corporations for a broad spectrum of continuing education for music teachers,
- encourages programs for gifted, special needs and pre-school children,
- supports the concept of diversity in music education,
- identifies "best practices" for teaching music at different educational levels,
- uses a system of adjudicated events that demonstrate an emphasis on educational values and high achievement in school music programs,
- encourages the use of technology and new approaches to music teaching and learning, and
- promotes life long participation and learning in music
Official Address/PO Box
Ohio Music Education Association
P.O. Box 1357
Medina, OH 44258
Leadership Structure
Map of OMEA Districts and Regions
NAfME and OMEA
The Ohio Music Education Association is an affiliate of NAfME, The National Association for Music Education. In order to become a member of OMEA, you must join NAfME and declare Ohio as your state affiliate.
By becoming a member of the Ohio Music Education Association and NAfME: The National Association for Music Education, you benefit through professional development opportunities, access to top-rated music education publications and exposure to cutting-edge concepts through electronic media. The result is the ability to offer quality educational opportunities to your students.
OMEA/NAfME members have access to the OMEA publication, TRIAD, which is published three times each year and is provided to members through our website on their computers, tablets, and phones. You will also receive the NAfME journals, Music Educators Journal and Teaching Music. Membership entitles you access to the members-only section of the website, discounted registration at our annual Professional Development Conference and all other OMEA sponsored workshops. Membership also provides opportunities for your students to participate in all OMEA sanctioned actitivities for individuals and ensembles.
Background of OMEA
The Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) is the principal organization in Ohio promoting music education in elementary and secondary schools as well as colleges and universities. OMEA is one of the largest of the 52 federated state affiliates of NAfME, The National Association for Music Education. OMEA members are involved at all levels of music education, serving more than 1.7 million public school students in 613 public school districts and 108 colleges and universities in Ohio.
On June 6, 1924 in Fostoria, Ohio, the Ohio School Band Association was formed by fourteen band directors to "promote high school band contests" in Ohio. By 1929, the OSBA had changed its name to the Ohio School Band and Orchestra Association and expanded its emphasis to include orchestra. In 1932, all aspects of music education were included, and the Ohio Music Education Association was formed - making it one of the oldest music education associations in the country.