By Amy Matzke-Fawcett
A professor in the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music has been appointed to a group charged with finding the next leader of a prestigious national musician's association.
Douglas Owens, associate professor of music, F. Ludwig Diehn Endowed Chair in Instrumental Music Education and graduate program director, has been appointed to the national nominating committee for the National Association for Music Education (NafME). Representing the southern division, he is one of six members appointed to the committee.
The committee is charged with the selection of the semi-final candidates for the office of NAfME president-elect, the person who will oversee the group's support of music and arts education in the schools, Owens said.
"NAfME and the many music educators in the state music education associations have provided outstanding leadership, guidance, and support for students, music educators, and the field of music education since 1907," Owens said. "I am thrilled to serve on the 2021 National Association for Music Education National Nominating Committee, and to continue my service to the Virginia Music Educators Association, ODU student pre-service music educators, and the greater music education community to the best of my ability."
According to F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music Director Nancy Klein, Owens was nominated by the Virginia Music Educators Association. Klein noted the position helps ODU to continue to lead the way on national music education.
"Although the Diehn School of Music has been involved in music education leadership at the state level for many years, this is the first time we have been able to send leadership at the national level," Klein said. "Dr. Owens is an exceptional music educator and a great ambassador for the school."
