In early October of 2020, Gorham Middle School (GMS) music/chorus teacher Tracy Williamson received news that she had been chosen as a semifinalist for the Recording Academy’s Music Educator Award.

This award recognizes current educators who have made a lasting contribution to the field of music education and who show a deep commitment to maintaining music in schools.

Williamson’s dedication to music education in Gorham is tremendous. After finishing her degree at the Boston Conservatory, she took a year of courses at the University of Southern Maine, and was a student teacher in Windham and Gorham.

When GMS (formerly Shaw Junior High School) opened in 2003, Williamson was hired to teach the general music and choral program. Since then, she has expanded the program to include the Gorham Steel Band, a program in and of itself that has grown from five eighth grade students to over 70 from grades six to 12 in 2019.

On what she has learned as a music educator at GMS, Williamson placed an emphasis on compassion. “We are all unique individuals. We are all in different situations with different backgrounds and different things happening outside of school. It is really important to empathize with students and families and work together to support learning.”

Each of the 25 Music Educator Award semifinalists receive a $500 honorarium, along with a matching donation to their school’s music program. Nine finalists, to be announced in December, will receive a $1,000 honorarium and matching donation, and the recipient of the award itself will receive a $10,000 honorarium and matching donation to their school’s music program.

Williamson is looking forward to using the award money to support students involved in the GMS music program, with some ideas including: inviting presenters from the visual art and music world to GMS on a Spring Early Release Day; bringing the Chorus, Band, and Steel Program on an adjudicated festival trip once COVID restrictions allow; as well as adding ukuleles as an option for students in music classes.

Williamson sees music as an important part of education and says it is significant in all aspects of life.

“Research clearly shows that students who play an instrument or sing in an ensemble or in private lessons perform better across the board in all content areas,” said Williamson. “Music allows us to make connections to memories, events, and emotions like no other experience. My goal in teaching middle school music is to not only help students feel more comfortable performing music, and give them resources and tools to compose music, but also to find those emotional connections to music and learn how to create and recognize them in their own lives.”

“It is so important to recognize that music is such a huge part of our lives. Each and every one of us hears music every day. We all sing or drum along in our cars when our favorite song comes on, or belt out a tune once in a while in the shower, or dance around in the kitchen when that awesome song comes on. I hear students often say, ‘Music isn’t my thing,’ or, ‘I do sports instead,’ but music and sports and all sorts of content and activities can all work together. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. We have tons of fun in our music ensembles, and it is extra special when we can share our music with our audiences,” said Williamson.

Music has the ability to bring communities of people together in amazing ways, and in Williamson’s time at GMS, she has repeatedly seen this in action. A few years ago, the GMS choir traveled for a performance, and, due to some scheduling issues, found themselves sitting on the floor in a hot and stuffy space waiting. An experience that for some could have been tedious, instead became magical when one student with perfect pitch began to sing the beginning of “You Will Be Found” from the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hanson.

Suddenly, the entire choir joined in a capella, and, as Williamson describes, “With no prompting from me whatsoever, they sang a beautiful rendition of the song with awesome four-part harmonies. I knew at that moment they had all learned well.”

Since receiving the news that she had been selected as a semifinalist for the Recording Academy’s Music Educator Award, Williamson has heard from many students and parents expressing their thanks and congratulations.

Part of the finalist’s award is the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles to attend the 63^rd annual Grammy Awards in early 2021, as well as to receive the Music Educator Award at a ceremony during Grammy Week.

Williamson said students have been having fun in classes imagining which rock stars or glamorous celebrities she might meet if she has the opportunity to attend the Grammy Awards.

When reflecting on elements of Williamson’s life that lead up to this moment, she wished to take a moment to thank the Gorham community.

“I would not be here today, doing what I am doing, without the support of our schools, administrators, my colleagues, and the entire Gorham community so this nomination is for all of us,” said Williamson.