Supporting the Future
of Music Education
For 12th Grade Students
Dr. Joel Ratner Memorial Scholarship
Due May 26, 2029
This $500 scholarship will be awarded to graduating seniors who intend to pursue music or related arts as a college major. Students applying for these scholarships must provide proof of registration to sophomore semester at college or university and indicate that attendance of said program commenced the first semester following high school graduation. Accepted areas of major study include:
Instrumental or Choral performance, Music Education, Music Theory, Music Therapy, Theater Arts (music), Music History, Recording, Music Industry or other music related programs deemed acceptable by the scholarship committee.
The New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education (NYSCAME) is honored to present the Dr. Joel Ratner Memorial Scholarship each year.
Dr. Ratner served as president of NYSCAME and was first and foremost a leading advocate for arts education.
His belief that all students must be provided high quality, sequential arts education helped to shape the focus for many of his colleagues and influenced programs throughout New York State.
In 1996, he became Coordinator of Music and Fine Arts in Long Island's Brentwood School District . He received a bachelor’s and doctoral degree from Hofstra University, and a master’s degree at Queens College.
Under his leadership, Brentwood won State marching band championships in 2010, 2007 and 2006. Before that, he was the Band Director of the Pep Band and a music teacher in Mineola schools.
Dr. Ratner served as President of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education in 2008-2009, and as President of the Suffolk County Music Educators Association in 2000-2001.
Starting in 2011, he was a member of the New York State Regents Task Force for Teacher and Principal Effectiveness.
For Aspiring Administrators
Mr. Kevin Bayen Scholarship
For School Music Administration
The New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education (NYSCAME) is honored to present the Kevin Bayen Memorial Scholarship in its first year, for a one-time, annual award henceforth.
This scholarship will be awarded to a music educator who intends to pursue or is pursuing New York State certification as a school district leader (SDL) with aspirations to lead a school music education program.
Applicants must provide proof of registration at a college or university and indicate their intent to lead a school music education program upon graduation.
The NYSCAME Executive Board will consider all applications and reserves the right to choose one individual or several, based on the qualifications, application, and recommendations submitted by the candidates.
Kevin Bayen began his career in the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools in 1979 where he served as an elementary, middle school and high school band director. In 1989, he was appointed District Director of Music Education, and in 2012, he assumed the position of District Director for Music and Art until retiring in 2016.
Kevin served as NYSCAME's treasurer for ten years; and president and, later, director of professional development for Nassau NYSCAME. Other leadership positions included service as president of the Nassau Music Educators Association (N.M.E.A.), a member of NYSSMA's All State Jazz Adjudication Festival Committee, NYSSMA's All State Instrumental Jazz Chairperson, and two three-year terms as Zone 13 (Nassau County) Representative.
Kevin received NYSSMA's Distinguished Service Award in December 2021, and the Distinguished Service Award for the Nassau NYSCAME in March 2022.
Kevin led an exemplary life in service to music education. It is our hope that recipients of this award will strive to attain the level of commitment and excellence that Kevin did in service to the students of New York State.