Congratulations Rick!

Grammy Music Education

This is year four that the Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation is recognizing a music educator with the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award. This year one of our very own Maine music educators has been nominated and has advanced to being one of the 25 semifinalists. Rick Nickerson is the director of choral activities at Windham High School where he has taught for 30 years. Rick conducts three choirs, teaches music courses and serves as the music coordinator for the district.

Rick at the 2011 Statewide Arts Education Conference

The award recognizes “educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education.” This is the second time Rick has been nominated, first in 2013, when he advanced to the quarterfinals. Ten finalists will announced in December and one person will be selected to receive the award and be recognized at the 59th Grammy Awards ceremony on February 12, 2017.

Rick has been recognized in the past as the Maine Music Educator of the Year, Maine Distinguished Choral Director of the Year and was runner-up for Maine Teacher of the Year.

In 2011 Rick’s choir provided an excellent performance at the opening of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Statewide Arts Education conference, Arts Teachers Leading the Way Back to the Future: Arts Assessment for Learning.

Congratulations to Rick and his Windham school district colleagues and community who support the work of music education! We’ll be waiting to hear in December if Rick makes it to the final 10 considered for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award! YAHOOOOOOOO!

Rick conducting at the opening of the 2011 Statewide Arts Education conference

Rick conducting at the opening of the 2011 Statewide Arts Education conference