FMEA's roots begin with the school band movement in the 1920's and 1930's that led to the establishment of the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Orchestra Association, and the Florida Vocal Association. FMEA was officially founded in 1944 as an umbrella association to bring together those groups as a unified link to the national association, MENC. FMEA formally merged with the Florida State Music Educators Association and the Negro Music Association in 1966. In 2018, the name was changed from the Florida Music Educators Association to the Florida Music Education Association.
1876
The Music Teachers National Association was organized
1892
The first high school vocal ensemble and orchestra was organized in the Duval High School of Jacksonville
1903
First rules and objectives for the presentation of music in each grade level was passed into State law.
1907
The Music Supervisors National Conference was organized. This will eventually be renamed to MENC and then NAfME.
1910
A certification exam for music teachers was offered for the first time
1922
The first school band was organized by Browns Greaton Cole at the Ocala High School
1926
The first school music contest was held in Jacksonville in conjunction with the annual convention of the Florida Federation of Music Clubs
1927
The first Florida school music teacher's organization was formed by Marguerite Porter. It was called the "Music Supervisors Conference" and consisted of six counties.
1927
The Florida High School Music Festival was initiated in Tampa by M. L. Price, Fred Spaulding, and Harry Grant.
1934
The Music Supervisors National Conference was renamed to the Music Educators National Conference (MENC)
1936
The Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) and the Florida Orchestra Association (FOA) were organized.
1937
The Florida Vocal Association (FVA) was organized in Tampa
1943
The first combined state clinic was held in Miami
1944
The Florida Music Educators Association was organized in Tampa
1947
Elementary music educators formed an organization as a section of FVA
1947
FBA held its first district contests, and FOA held its contests in conjunction with the band activities
1951
School music activities came under the supervision of the Florida High School Activities Association
1958
Elementary Music Section became a component organization of the Florida Music Educators Association
1966
The Florida Music Educators Association merged with the Negro Music Association and the Florida State Music Educators Association.
2011
The Music Educators National Conference (MENC) changed its name to the National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
2018
The Florida Music Educators Association changed it's name to the Florida Music Education Association, to better reflect its support for all stakeholders in school music education.
Source: A History of the Florida Music Educators Association and its Component Organizations, a dissertation by Thomas Lewis Whiteside in 1970. Available on ProQuest.