National Association for Music Education (NAfME), among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century.

View 2014 Music Standards – K-8 General Music (PDF)

Our mission is to promote active music making approaches in general music teacher education.

Creates opportunities for educators, learners and performers to experience the intrinsic value of elemental music and movement in their artistic and pedagogical lives. 

American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is a nonprofit, professional association of choral conductors that exists to inspire excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition, and advocacy.

AMTA’s purpose is the progressive development of the therapeutic use of music in rehabilitation, special education, and community settings. Predecessors, unified in 1998, included the National Association for Music Therapy founded in 1950 and the American Association for Music Therapy founded in 1971. AMTA is committed to the advancement of education, training, professional standards, credentials, and research in support of the music therapy profession.

American Orff Schulwek Association is a professional organization of educators dedicated to the create music and movement approaches developed by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman.

The Dalcroze Society of America is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting the artistic and pedagogical principles of Emile Jaques-Dalcroze through educational workshops, publications, financial and consultative assistance, and the encouragement of local chapters throughout the United States.

The Gordon Institute for Music Learning is dedicated to advancing the research in music education pioneered by Edwin E. Gordon. The purpose of the Gordon Institute for Music Learning is to advance music understanding through audiation. We believe in the music potential of each individual, and we support and interactive learning community with opportunities for musical and professional development.

Founded in 1944, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with more than 7,000 members in the United States, Canada, and more than 35 other countries. Whether working in independent studios, community schools, elementary and secondary schools, or higher education, NATS members represent the diversity of today’s music landscape, teaching in all vocal styles.

The Organization of American Kodály Educators was founded in 1975. Its purpose is to promote Zoltan Kodály’s concept of “Music for Everyone” through the improvement of music education in schools.

The Song Works Educators Association is an international network of educators. Activities of this organization are built on the premise that students should be at the center of and actively involved in the study at hand. Music and music activities become the catalyst through which this happens. Teachers at every level of the educational field from early childhood through university, classroom and music teachers alike contribute and gain insight through this network of educators.