The Olds and District Music Teachers Association was started approximately 50 years ago by a group of local piano teachers and was originally called "Olds Music Teachers". Over the years, the organization has grown and developed. It became a Registered Society in 1992 and was granted charitable status in 1995. Currently, there are 14 active members representing Olds, Sundre, Didsbury, Carstairs, Bowden and Innisfail who provide instruction in piano, voice, guitar, theory, violin, flute, percussion and a variety of other band instruments to hundreds of students.

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The scholarship program was initially started by Jean Rix, a piano teacher living in Olds who was a long time member of the IODE, Baron Tweedsmuir Chapter. She had a vision to encourage senior level piano students to continue their training by providing an award for the highest exam mark received. This vision has continued to grow and thanks to the continued generosity and support of several Olds and area service clubs, businesses and individuals, the ODMTA is now able to award over $3000 each year to an average of 40 students in recognition of their achievement in music and theory exams.

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The members of ODMTA believe strongly that music education is one of the most powerful tools for realizing a child's full intellectual, social and creative potential. As Plato said,"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything."