Wisconsin Music Educators Association

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Michael G George Distinguished Service Award

Formerly known as the WMEA Distinguished Service Award, the distinguished service award was renamed in 2001 in honor of Michael G. George. His legacy of excellence inspired change, nurtured leaders, and touched the lives of thousands of students.  To commemorate his outstanding service, WMEA has established this award in his honor.

Purpose of the Award:

To recognize significant contributions made by a professional to music and music education at the local and state or national level over the course of a career.

Who is Eligible:

Any music teacher, music director or music administrator from a Wisconsin school.

Nomination Review:

Nominations for this award are reviewed by all past presidents of the WMEA Executive Board.  The ballot shall include options to vote for one candidate, to vote for none of the candidates, and to carry nominations forward for consideration in the following year.

A candidate receiving a majority vote shall receive the award.  A vote for a non-winning candidate will be construed as a vote to carry that nomination forward for the following year.

Deadline:

All materials must be submitted by July 1

 


Previous Award Recipients

Michael G. George Distinguished Service Award (Renamed in 2003)

YearRecipient(s)
2024Paul Budde, River Falls
2022Christine Hayes, Whitewater
2020Gregg Butler, Fall Creek
2019Robert Baca, Eau Claire
2018Leyla Sanyer, Verona
2017Tom Reifenberg, Greendale
2016Chris Gleason, Sun Prairie
2015Connie Root, Hudson
2013Nancy Rasmussen, Walworth
2012Sheila Feay-Shaw
2011James Sewrey
2010Peggy Krasin
2009Melvin Pontious
2008Marjorie Fowler
2007Nicholas Contorno
2006David Pelow Nicholas Contorno
2005Cheryl Lavender
2004Gerald B. Olson
2003Michael G. George

Distinguished Service Award (Renamed in 2003)

YearRecipient(s)
2003Joel Blahnik
2002Rick Kirby
2001David Reul
2000Jeanne Julseth Heinrich
1999John Harmon
1998Ronald Keezer
1997Darrell Aderman
1996Sr. Lorna Zemke
1995Ernest Broeniman
1994Lewis Schmidt
1993Gerard McKenna
Jan Tweed
1992Lee Jacobi
1991Fred Schroeder
1990Robert Petzold
1989Bruce White
1988Wayne Jipson
Donald Radmer
1987Mary Pautz
1986Wisconsin CMP Project
1985Eunice Meske
Will Schmid
1984Stan Nosal
Jack Pingel
1983Thomas Buchhauser
1982Patricia Lewis
1981John Nygren
1980Vivian Weber
Morris Hayes
1979Richard Wolf
Michael George
1978Dale Gilbert
Ralph Houghton
1977Otto Huettner
Fred Leist
Marvin Rabin
1976Roger Hornig
Richard Gaarder
Eva Mae Struckmeyer
1975Emmett Sarig
1974Harold Arentsen
Raymond F. Dvorak
1973Marcella O’Leary
G. Lloyd Schultz
Michael G. George was the executive director of WSMA, WMEA and WFSM from 1988-2004, and again in 2009-2012. Under his leadership, WMEA and WSMA activities experienced unprecedented growth in schools and communities.

Congratulations to the 2020 Award Recipient

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Wisconsin Center
for Music Education

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53597

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