April 18, 2014—Frank M. Diaz, assistant professor of music education, has been elected as the next president of the Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA). He will begin his term as second vice-president on July 1st, 2014, moving into the president’s position in 2016.

The OMEA includes approximately 900 K-12, college, university, and other music teachers from across the state. The association is affiliated with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME, formerly MENC), and hosts an annual conference that includes clinics, workshops, exhibitors, all-state ensembles, and performances for the benefit of music educators in Oregon and neighboring states.

The appointment is a noteworthy one: Diaz will be only the second faculty member to serve as president while actively serving on the UO faculty. The first was Max Risinger, former acting dean and choral music education professor, who served as OMEA president from 1956-1958.