EAST TEXAS MUSIC TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
2008  TEACHER-AWARDS NOMINEES
EAST TEXAS MUSIC TEACHERS'
ASSOCIATION

round trip to be an active member of the East Texas Music Teachers Association.  It is this
devotion that led her to form the first ETMTA ensembles to perform at the 2007 TMTA
convention.  This inaugural event transformed the association and its definition of
involvement within TMTA.  

Mrs. Hill’s twenty-seven years as a music and choral director are evident.  Her phenomenal
skills as a director have students and teachers mesmerized. It often takes seeing someone in
their element to realize what a treasure you have
within your association.  

Spending time attending conventions with Gail has led many to find out that she is a woman of
many layers.  It is not often that you meet someone who can teach public school music, direct
various choirs ranging from children to adults, teach award winning piano students (three of
which are pursuing music degrees in various colleges), be a judge with the National Piano
Guild, and also have the experience of being a boy scout day camp director and cub master!  
However, in talking with Gail one realizes that she considers being a wife for forty-eight years
to Richard Hill, PhD, and mother to four children and seven grandchildren her most important
accomplishments.

The members of the East Texas Music Association greatly esteem Gail Hill and value the role
she plays within the association.  It is through her advocacy of music and music education
that our students have achieved even greater success.

It is with great respect and honor that we nominate Mrs. Gail Hill for the TMTA Outstanding Pre-
College Teaching Achievement Award.

Nomination Submission Statement
Stephanie Johnson, President
Teacher Award Nominees:

Gail Hill, Pre-Collegiate Teacher
Helen Elbert, Teacher of the Year
It is our pleasure and privilege to present the name of Helen Elbert as a nominee
for the award of TMTA Teacher of the Year.  Throughout the music community of Tyler
and East Texas, Helen Elbert’s  name is  synonymous with all that is admirable in the
field of music education.  At the age of 89, she is a well known, highly respected
professional with a long legacy of instilling the love of music in each of her students.  
Her contribution to her community continues in the careers of the outstanding teachers
and performers that are a product of her training and inspiration.  The ongoing devotion
of her former students is testimony of both her teaching expertise and her ability to
personally mentor those she has taught.

Mrs. Elbert has a history of dedication and diligence to her profession that
endures even today.  She completed her college degree over sixty years ago at North
Texas State Teachers College.  To finance her studies, she held 5 jobs while enrolled as a
full time student. In addition to playing the piano for churches, she began her career as a
piano teacher at that time.  She has maintained a full piano studio for the last 45 years.
She has held numerous offices in the East Texas Music Teachers Association as well as
in the Coterie Chapter of the National Federation of Music Clubs. Currently she is
Membership Chair of ETMTA and serves as a judge for piano festivals all over East
Texas.  She remains active in her church and in the Coterie Chapter of MFMC, having
composed music to be sung at a recent meeting.

Mrs. Elbert is an example for those who follow in her footsteps as teachers of
music. She gives freely of her time to mentor less experienced colleagues. Her kind
words and encouragement to those who share her commitment to passing on the gift
of music have made her a much loved and valuable member of  her professional
organizations. Her leadership and friendship in the music community, as well as her great
success with music students, more than qualify her for the award of Teacher of the Year.
We feel that Helen Elbert is a true icon to those who have been fortunate enough to sit
under her teaching and to work alongside her.

Nomination Submission Statement
Sarah Kerr,  ETMTA Emeritus Member