Windham music teacher named as quarterfinalist for GRAMMY Foundation award by Elizabeth Richards

Dr. Richard Nickerson, Director of Choral Activities at Windham High School, has been named a quarterfinalist for the first Music Educator Award to be presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. 

The award was created to recognize educators from K through college in public or private schools “who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education, and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools,” according to a news release from the Grammy Foundation.  The award, announced on the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, was open to all current US music teachers.  Nominated teachers were notified and invited to fill out an application.

There were 217 music teachers from 45 states selected as quarterfinalists, from over 30,000 nominations submitted.  The award recipient will be selected from 10 finalists, and the award will be presented for the first time at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony during Grammy Week 2014.  Semifinalists will be named in August.