Who We Are
Texas Music Educators Association is a professional association of over 20,000 members, including nearly 14,000 K–college music educators and 4,000 college music students. Since 1920, TMEA has worked to ensure excellence in music education for all Texas students. Learn more about us.
How We Work
TMEA is organized into 33 geographic Regions across the state. TMEA members belong to one of five divisions: Band, Orchestra, Vocal, Elementary, and College.
TMEA members elect Region and State officers who represent them and administer our business and programming. TMEA’s staff consists of ten full-time employees who work at the TMEA office in Austin. Get in touch.
Become a Member
As a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive resources and professional development opportunities and actively support the future of music education. Our membership year is July 1–June 30. Renewals open on May 1 for the next membership year.
If you have been a member in the last four years, please Renew/Update your membership instead.
Individual Membership Dues
Active
This membership is ideal for individuals engaged in music education across various settings, including K-12 schools, private lessons, music ministries, and homeschooling parents involved in TMEA auditions.- $70 Convention Registration Fee ($95 after Jan 16)
- Eligible to purchase liability insurance
- Includes print subscription to Southwestern Musician
- Eligible to earn CPE Credit
- Eligible to enter students in competition
Retired
Honoring a lifetime of musical contribution—this membership is designed for retired individuals from any music education-related profession and enables continued involvement in the TMEA community.- $20 Convention Registration Fee
- Eligible to purchase liability insurance
- Includes print subscription to Southwestern Musician
- Not eligible to earn CPE credit
- Not eligible to enter students in competition
- If you continue to teach more than 20 hours per week privately, you should maintain an Active membership
College Student
Launching the next generation of student leaders—this membership is open to all full-time college students, including those currently student teaching. Build connections and kickstart your career.- $0 Convention Registration Fee
- Eligible to purchase liability insurance
- Does not include print subscription to Southwestern Musician
- Not eligible to earn CPE credit
- Not eligible to enter students in competition
- If you are employed to teach music 20 or more hours per week, including private lessons, you should maintain Active membership, even if you are concurrently taking upper-level college courses
How to Become a TMEA Member
Step 1: Create Your Account
Begin your journey with TMEA by creating your online account. Enter your contact information and create a login and password. If you have been a member in the last four years, Renew/Update your membership instead.
Step 2: Pay Your Dues
Pay your dues easily online using your debit, credit, or purchasing card. You can also add options like Liability Insurance, Scholarship Donations, and Convention Registration.
Step 3: Enjoy Your Benefits
Access TMEA programs, connect through our Member Directory, gain insights at Region Meetings, attend our annual Clinic/Convention, and browse the latest issues of Southwestern Musician.
Need to pay with a check?
Fill out a TMEA Membership & Convention Registration form and mail it to us with your check.
Member Benefits
TMEA members have access to several important benefits. In addition, membership in an organization of this size provides every member critical representation before state decision-makers whose actions affect the future of music education. Enjoy these benefits of membership by joining TMEA or renewing your membership and take pride in supporting an organization that actively promotes music education for all.
Participate in Programs & Auditions
Unlock exclusive opportunities to enrich your career and elevate your students' experiences. Members can present at our annual convention, enter students in auditions, sponsor Texas Future Music Educators chapters, and nominate students for awards.
Purchase Liability Insurance
Secure affordable comprehensive liability insurance for $30 per year to protect your professional activities. This policy shields you from potential financial losses due to lawsuits related to your role as an educator.
Join the Mentoring Network
Designed to connect new music educators and those new to Texas with seasoned professionals, this program offers a personalized mentoring experience for at least one year. Benefit from one-on-one advice, constructive feedback, and dedicated support to help you thrive.
Earn CPE Credit
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits are crucial for educators to maintain certification and stay current with teaching methodologies and educational technologies. Earning these credits showcases a commitment to professional growth.
Access Online Learning
Read Southwestern Musician
Southwestern Musician is your gateway to the latest news and resources in music education. Our magazine, published eight times yearly, features insightful articles on pedagogy, advocacy, technology, education law, and timely updates.
Additional Member Benefits
Current TMEA members may view the member directory and log in and post vacancies directly to the job board. In addition, you have access to Health Plans, Long Term Care Plans, Life Insurance, Dental Plans offered by the America Group.
Membership Policies
Who Can Join
Anyone who teaches music or simply wants to support the work of our association may become a TMEA member! Our membership consists primarily of music educators (active and retired), college music students, and music industry partners.
The TMEA membership year is July 1–June 30. Renewals open on May 1 for the next membership year.
Have you been a member in the last four years?
Please renew your membership instead of joining as a new member.
Interested in joining as an organization?
Learn more about Sustaining and Institutional Memberships.
Don’t live in Texas?
We welcome you to support our organization by becoming an active member! However, to attend the TMEA Clinic/Convention, out-of-state attendees are only required to pay registration fees.
TMEA membership is not available for a person who has entered a plea of no contest or has been convicted of any illegal activity involving a student or other minor, including but not limited to sexual or physical abuse of a student or other minor.
Membership Types
For Individuals
- Active: Open to those who teach music in any school setting, teach private lessons, are a music minister, or are a parent sponsoring a homeschooled child in TMEA auditions. If pursuing a degree while working in one of these capacities, you should still maintain Active Membership.
- Retired: Open to those who have retired from employment related to music education activities. If you continue to teach more than 20 hours privately, you should maintain an Active membership. Only Active members may sponsor students in auditions and receive CPE credit.
- College Student: Open to those who are full-time college students (even if you are student teaching). You should maintain an Active membership if you are employed to teach music 20 or more hours per week, including private lessons, even if you are concurrently taking upper-level college courses. Only Active members may sponsor students in auditions and receive CPE credit.
For Organizations
- Sustaining: Open to organizations, including booster clubs and business or other entities, as well as out-of-state colleges and universities. Sustaining Membership is $75 annually and includes a one-year subscription to Southwestern Musician.
- Institutional: Open to Texas colleges and universities that wish to support TMEA activities by payment of the prescribed dues. Institutional Membership dues are $55 annually and include a one-year subscription to Southwestern Musician.
Sustaining or Institutional Membership is required for all exhibitors at the annual Clinic/Convention. If you aren’t exhibiting but wish to create an Institutional Membership, contact Zachary Gersch.
Convention Registration Fees
Convention registration is open to all member types and out-of-state attendees. Texas music educators must be current members of TMEA to register for the annual convention. Learn more about this event.
Registration Fees
- Active Member: $70 ($95 after Jan 16)
- Retired Member: $20
- College Student Member: $0 (free with membership, registration still required)
- Out-of-State: $145 ($170 after Jan 16)
Register Early by January 16 to Receive the Lower Fee
- Online registration must be complete by January 16
- Emailed registration forms must be received by January 16
- Mailed registration forms must be postmarked by January 16
Standard Registration after January 16 and Pay the Higher Fee
After January 16, you must register online or onsite at the convention. Credit/debit, cash, and checks are all accepted onsite. Purchase orders will not be accepted onsite.
Refund Policies
Membership Dues
Membership dues are non-refundable. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the Membership Department.
Convention Fees
Refunds must be requested via email to susand@tmea.org by April 30 (we cannot honor verbal requests). Please indicate whether the refund should go to the member or school district. Refunds will be reduced by a 10% refund fee. After April 30, no refunds will be processed.
Ten-Year Membership Report
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active | 11,979 | 12,739 | 13,137 | 13,404 | 13,421 | 13,839 | 11,980 | 13,719 | 13,869 | 14,143 |
Retired | 748 | 875 | 904 | 954 | 1,007 | 1,086 | 796 | 958 | 1,086 | 1,254 |
Institutional | 66 | 65 | 59 | 98 | 58 | 57 | 30 | 59 | 60 | 60 |
College Students | 3,835 | 4,232 | 4,328 | 4,423 | 4,636 | 4,510 | 1,308 | 3,968 | 4,203 | 4,408 |
Sustaining | 571 | 582 | 717 | 535 | 615 | 629 | 229 | 512 | 576 | 627 |
Total | 17,199 | 18,493 | 19,145 | 19,145 | 19,737 | 20,121 | 14,343 | 19,216 | 19,794 | 20,492 |
Need Help?
For questions about membership, email Membership Manager Susan Daugherty.
Health Plans, Long Term Care Plans, Life Insurance, Dental Plans
Offered by the America Group.
Dan M. Samuel, LUTCF, LTCP
3718 Derby Trail
Round Rock, TX, 78681
Phone: 512-343-2277
Cell: 512-659-7101