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The Montana State Music Teachers Association (MSMTA) is a non-profit organization of independent music teachers whose mission is to advance the value of music in society and to support the professionalism of its members. The organization was founding on March 30, 1927 after David Sheets Craig of Seattle, Washington, invited teachers throughout the state to Livingston, Montana where a temporary chairman and organization committee drafted a constitution and by-laws and selected a nominating committee. Ralph Rauh, of Billings was elected the first president on the following day. The MSMTA has met annually since then, and at the present time has a membership of about 150, organized in six local associations throughout the state, including Butte-Anaconda, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell, Missoula and a Southwest Montana group in Bozeman. Since 1966, through affiliation with Music Teachers National Association, MSMTA members, who have not acquired music degrees can work towards professional certification.