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Idaho Music Teachers Association
 

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Programs

Fern Davidson Endowment Fund

The Fern Davidson Foundation Fund for Idaho, established by the Idaho Music Teachers Association, honors Fern Nolte Davidson, a charter member of Idaho MTA who served as president from 1964-1968.

Fern Davidson was born on September 1, 1907, in North Dakota. She received a B.A. degree in piano from John Fletcher College in Iowa. She was a piano and piano pedagogy teacher at Albertson College of Idaho for 35 years. She was an honorary member of Beta Sigma Phi, and received honorary doctorate degrees from the College of Idaho and Rocky Mountain College. She received the Governor’s Award for the Arts in 1986. She passed away March 7, 2008 at the age of 100.

This fund receives tax-deductible contributions to MTNA, which are held and maintained separately from MTNA funds. Endowment income is used to fund teacher enrichment grants for teachers from the state of Idaho and MTNA’s Northwest Division. Since the establishment of the fund in 1988, money has been provided in grants and awards to students, gifted composers, outstanding teachers and performers and to local associations.

Contribute

By investing in MTNA through your contributions to the Fern Davidson Foundation Fund for Idaho, you can support MTNA’s mission to advance the value of music study. Contributions directly benefit the music profession by encouraging and enabling students to study music, recognizing young gifted musicians and providing funds for teachers to continue their education. Click here to contribute online.

Apply for Grants

To obtain applications for grants, visit the Foundation’s website at mtnafoundation.org.

100th Birthday Gala

On September 1, 2007, a 100th birthday gala honoring Dr. Fern Nolte Davidson, former professor at Albertson College of Idaho, was held at Albertson College. The day featured a luncheon, at which IMTA President Dave French presented Fern with the Idaho MTA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Marvin Blickenstaff opens the program.

16 ACI alumni perform on 8 pianos.

An evening recital featured many of Fern’s distinguished students, including Marvin Blickenstaff, Susanne Skyrm, Jeffrey Payne, Sylvia Hunt, Barbara Atterbery, and more. Sean Rogers and Sylvia Hunt performed a piano-organ duet composed in honor of Fern. The grand finale featured 16 pianists from around the country, ranging from the ACI Class of 1947 to the Class of 1996, performing an 8-piano piece conducted by Fern.

The following day, an open house and garden birthday party were held at Fern’s home in Nampa.

Fern conducts the 8-piano finale.