Dr. Michael Raiber, professor of music education, was nominated for Grammy Music Educator of the Year.
Raiber was nominated for the award by a former student and his sister-in-law for his efforts as a music educator at OCU and El Sistema, a nonprofit after-school organization that provides a combination of music instruction and youth development through music. Raiber did not win the award, but he was a semi-finalist.
Raiber said he was notified early spring that he had been selected as a quarter-finalist.
“Once I was informed that I was a quarter-finalist, I was asked to submit three videos. Two of which addressed specific questions, and a third video of a teaching example,” Raiber said. “I did a video of my thoughts on the most pressing concerns for music education currently in the United States.”
Raiber said he focused his response on issues faced in music education related to the lack of inclusiveness, access and equity among music education programs across the country.
“A child’s education should not be dependent upon geographics,” Raiber said. “The fact that we have students that are attending geographically different places and have completely different educational experiences and opportunities is not alright. And we need to be able to change that.”
Raiber was nominated for the award for the first time in 2013 and was a quarter-finalist. He said being a semi-finalist this year was incredibly humbling.
“Early fall, I got notification that I was selected to be one of the 25 semi-finalists out of 2,800 applicants,” Raiber said. “What I like about it is that we can shine the light on the amazing opportunities here at OCU. I’m just in the right place at the right time, and the support I’ve received has been exceptional.”
Sara McKean, instrumental education senior, said she was not surprised Raiber was nominated.
“Dr. Raiber is a phenomenal teacher and mentor and has amazing knowledge to share with us all. I have received constant support from him as have many of his students,” McKean said. “Dr. Raiber has done wonders for the curriculum of our teacher education program and pushes us new teachers to think past the normal. These are the reasons he was nominated, and he most certainly deserved it.”
The winner of the award will be announced sometime in February, Raiber said. Since he is not the recipient of the award, Raiber will not attend the Grammy Awards on Feb. 10.
Raiber said he wants to lay a foundation that will continue to make an impact on the future of music educators.
“I was the only university professor on the list of semi-finalists. Everyone else worked as music teachers at public schools. I consider it to be a great honor,” Raiber said. “It’s exciting to continue to get the word out about music education at OCU. I hope to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives that will continue long after I’m gone from here.”
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