Award Information and Nomination

Orchestra Director of the Year Award
Nomination & Selection Process

(TODA is not accepting nominations for ODY for this year, 2021.  We will honor the 2020 recipient, Cathy Fishburn, this year.)

The Texas Orchestra Directors Association Orchestra Director of the Year (ODY) Award was established to honor Texas orchestra directors with 21+ years of orchestral teaching experience who have exemplified outstanding achievement in lifetime service and leadership in Texas schools

Criteria for Nomination

  1. Nominees must be current members of TODA
  2. Nominee must have at least 21 years of successful orchestra teaching experience.
  3. Nominees must exemplify outstanding achievement and lifetime service as an orchestra director in Texas


Nomination Process

  1. Nominations should be submitted by TODA members only
  2. Nominations should include:
    --Name and address of Nominee
    --Brief biographical information
    --Recommendation information (may include newspaper articles, letters of recommendation or other
    documentation)

Selection Process

  1. Recommendations sent to TODA Office - TBD
  2. TODA Board of Directors will select the recipient at the TMEA Board Meeting
  3. TODA President will notify the recipient
  4. Recipient must be present at the TODA Convention to accept the award from the TODA President
  5. Nominator and nominations will roll forward three years for consideration by the TODA Board members.

Director of Distinction Award
Nomination & Selection Process

The Texas Director of Distinction Award was established in 2019 to honor Texas orchestra directors with 10+ years of orchestral teaching experience exemplified outstanding achievement in lifetime service and leadership in Texas schools

Criteria for Nomination

  1. Nominees must be current members of TODA
  2. Nominee must have 10+ years successful orchestra teaching experience.
  3. Career marked by excellence in teaching and orchestral performances


Nomination Process

  1. Nominations should be submitted by TODA members only
  2. Nominations should include:
    --Name and address of Nominee
    --Brief biographical information
    --Recommendation information (may include newspaper articles, letters of recommendation or other
    documentation)

Selection Process

  1. Recommendations sent to TODA Office - TBD
  2. TODA Board of Directors will select the recipient at the TMEA Board Meeting
  3. TODA President will notify the recipient
  4. Recipient must be present at the TODA Convention to accept the award from the TODA President
  5. Nominator and nominations will roll forward three years (as long as this still meets criteria for years of
    experience) for consideration by the TODA Board members.

Young Educator Award
Nomination & Selection Process

The Texas Young Educator Award was established in 2019 to honor Texas orchestra directors with 0-10 years of orchestral teaching experience.

Criteria for Nomination

  1. Nominees must be current members of TODA
  2. Nominee must have 10 years or less successful orchestra teaching experience
  3. Career marked by excellence in teaching and orchestral performances

Nomination Process

  1. Nominations should be submitted by TODA members only
  2. Nominations should include:
    --Name and address of Nominee
    --Brief biographical information
    --Recommendation information (may include newspaper articles, letters of recommendation or other
    documentation)

Selection Process

  1. Recommendations sent to TODA Office - TBD
  2. TODA Board of Directors will select the recipient at the TMEA Board Meeting
  3. TODA President will notify the recipient
  4. Recipient must be present at the TODA Convention to accept the award from the TODA President
  5. Nominator and nominations will roll forward three years (as long as this still meets criteria for years of
    experience) for consideration by the TODA Board members.