Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association

Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association

Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association (NSRMTA). Non-profit organization managed by a volunteer council. Founded in 1937 and incorporated in 1941 as the Nova Scotia Music Teachers' Association, with Harry Dean as first president. It became affiliated with the CFMTA in 1944 and became the NSRMTA in 1951. The objectives of the association are "to promote progressive ideas on the teaching of music and to encourage definite preparation for the art of teaching."

In 2004 there were five local chapters - Cape Breton, Halifax, Dartmouth, South Shore, and Annapolis Valley - with 64 active members, 10 life members, 12 provisional members (students), 1 affiliate (not a teacher) and 9 retired. The chapters have concerned themselves with their own localities, serving as consultants in music festivals, aiding in the presentation of young performers, and providing leadership and financial support for Canada Music Week activities. The NSRMTA organizes workshops, masterclasses, meetings, an annual convention, recitals, music festivals, and competitions. Established in 1975, the annual NSRMTA scholarship competition honours students in a variety of categories, including ARCT, Senior, Intermediate A, Intermediate B, Junior A, Junior B and Preliminary. In addition to its own events, the NSRMTA has worked in conjunction with the NBRMTA to sponsor Young Artist competitions and tours in 1986, 1987 and 1989, and the two associations held a joint convention in 1988.

In 1984 the organization established a student membership category and in 1987 further revised qualifications, changing student to provisional membership and adding affiliate members and honorary affiliates. Members are allowed to use the initials RMT after their names. In 1986 the NSMRTA admitted members from Newfoundland and worked with them towards the formation of the NRMTA in 1987.

The NSRMTA established its own semi-annual newsletter, Arabesque, in 1987. The organization's archives, as well as a brief history of music teaching in Nova Scotia (prepared by Phyllis R. Blakeley and Basil C. Silver for the NSRMTA in 1966), are held by the Public Archives of Nova Scotia in Halifax.