There is a movement afoot by alumni and friends of San Marin High School to honor Emily Gates, a beloved semi-retired music teacher from Novato, with a new Grammy award that goes to music educators.
The honor, dubbed the Grammy Music Ediucator Award, was unveiled at the 2013 Grammy Awards earlier this month.
The lobbying on Emily's behalf got us thinking: Marin is home to some renowned music teachers. Is any of them worthy of a Grammy?
Drew Gasparini, a homegrown composer, lyricist and musician who is breaking through on a national scale, thinks Gates is, and he's circulating an appeal on Facebook to fill out nominations on her behalf.
"It's just a trophy, sure," wrote Gasparini, a 25-year-old San Marin graduate. "But it's an accolade that is world-renowned, and I can't think of anyone more deserving. All teachers are heroes ... a teacher of music is a beautiful thing."
Gates, who was inducted into the Marin Women's Hall of Fame in 1993, taught music at San Marin for more than 30 years and continues to volunteer at the school. She also co-founded the Marin Summer Theater for performers in their teens and early 20s and directs a choir for mothers of San Marin music students and alumni. The student center at San Marin is named after her.
The deadline to add a testimonial to the Grammy website is April 15. Ten finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium and be recognized for their impact on music education. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the Grammys and pick up a $10,000 honorarium.
