The History of BCMTA

Established in 1965

  • Four women taking a selfie at a social gathering. They are smiling, and one woman is making a peace sign. The background shows other people sitting at tables in a dimly lit room.
  • Group of young musicians and two adults at a music event, with some wearing red shirts with a palm tree logo, standing in front of a piano and a sign for the Broward County Music Teachers Association.
  • Group of five people standing together in a room with a piano, smiling and giving thumbs up. The room has a shelf with mail slots or papers in the background.
  • Group of people gathered around a long wooden table in a restaurant, enjoying food and drinks, with some smiling and waving at the camera, in a casual dining environment.
  • A group of young students, boys and girls, standing on a stage with musical instruments and a grand piano in the background, after a performance or rehearsal.
  • A woman with gray hair playing a grand piano on a stage in a music hall, with a wooden background and acoustic panels on the ceiling.

The Broward County Music Teachers Association (BCMTA) began in the fall of 1965, when Clarissa B. Nichol answered a call from the Music Teachers National Association to unite local studio teachers. She hosted an organizational meeting at Overbrook Music Company on September 15, 1965, and just a month later, Merle Sargent of the Florida State Music Teachers Association officially installed BCMTA’s first officers under the inspiring theme of graciousness, ability, versatility, enthusiasm, and leadership.

By November of 1965, BCMTA held its first regular meeting, with Clarissa Nichol serving as the first president and 20 founding members. Annual dues were $5, and the first student program—Student of the Month—was born, giving young musicians a chance to perform for peers and teachers.

Through the late 1960s, the association flourished. Membership nearly doubled, and BCMTA hosted Broward County’s first-ever Ten Piano Festival in 1969, followed by its first Spring Student Recital and Student Day events.

The 1970s brought both advocacy and innovation. BCMTA teachers fought to preserve music education in public schools, launched a monthly newsletter, and established the Edna Horn Memorial Scholarship to support talented but financially challenged students. The group celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1975 with a recital and open house honoring its founding members.

From 1975 to 1980, BCMTA experienced remarkable growth. Membership climbed toward 60, and three new scholarships were founded: the Schmidt Scholarship, the Clarissa B. Nichol Student Aid Fund, and the Robert F. Messingschlager Piano Scholarship. Faculty recitals and scholarship competitions became cornerstones of the organization.

In the 1980s, BCMTA solidified its legacy. A referral system for student-teacher placements was created, and Clarissa Nichol was named an Honorary Lifetime Member in 1982—one year before her passing. Fundraising events like Pianothon (launched in 1988) brought students and community together to perform for charity, raising thousands for scholarships and local causes.

The 1990s marked a new era of expansion and collaboration. BCMTA launched summer camp scholarships, composition contests, and the Mini Masters recital series. The organization also began its long partnership with the City of Pompano Beach Piano Competition in 1995 and celebrated its 30th anniversary that same year with a commemorative luncheon and banner unveiling.

By 2000, BCMTA had grown to over 100 members, making it the largest local association in Florida. The group hosted major state conferences, welcomed renowned clinicians, and saw Student Day participation soar past 300 students.

In 2001, BCMTA officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, embracing all instruments by renaming the Pianothon to Musicthon. A logo design contest followed—won by 8-year-old Staci Hill of Davie—symbolizing a new, inclusive generation of music education.

Throughout the 2000s, BCMTA built community ties with organizations like the Plantation Women’s Club, which funded annual college scholarships. Despite hurricane disruptions in 2005, BCMTA continued to adapt, hosting successful events and honoring influential contributors through the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing leaders who enriched South Florida’s cultural life.

Today, BCMTA stands as one of the largest and most active music teacher associations in South Florida, offering more than 15 student programs and connecting over 60 dedicated members. From its humble beginnings in 1965 to its vibrant presence today, BCMTA remains committed to nurturing musical excellence, education, and community across generations.