ISMEHonorary Life Members
About Honorary Life Members
The 2026 Call for Nominations for Honorary Life Members can be found HERE
Celebrating Lifelong Dedication to Music Education Worldwide
The Honorary Life Membership is the highest honor conferred by the International Society for Music Education (ISME). It recognizes individuals whose exceptional service, leadership, and impact have significantly advanced the Society’s mission and contributed to the global development of music education. Since ISME’s founding in 1953, this distinction has celebrated music educators, visionaries, scholars, and cultural leaders who have demonstrated sustained commitment to ISME’s values of equity, intercultural understanding, and the transformative power of music in society. Honorary Life Members are nominated by their peers and approved by the ISME Board of Directors. Their legacies continue to inspire future generations of educators and affirm ISME’s global mission.
Criteria for Selection
- Recognized as a genuinely outstanding music educator in at least one country
- Has established a record of achievement and distinction
- Has made contributions to music education that are of lasting value and likely to remain important to future educators
- Has been active in ISME for an extended period
Policy and Process
Honorary Life Membership Standing Committee
The Honorary Life Membership (HLM) Standing Committee consists of experienced ISME members appointed by the incoming President and confirmed by the Board. The Committee reflects ISME’s diversity and oversees the full selection process.Call for Nominations
Nominations are invited every biennium from ISME members through the newsletter, postcards and social media. Submissions must follow the required format outlined in each call for nominations and include evidence addressing all eligibility criteria.Deliberations
The HLM Committee reviews all eligible nominations confidentially, declaring any conflicts of interest. It may recommend up to two candidates - or none - based on the criteria of distinction, lasting contribution and long-term service to ISME.Board Decisions
The ISME Board reviews only the candidates forwarded by the HLM Committee and votes by simple majority. Board members who submitted a nomination recuse themselves from discussion and voting.Announcement
Honorary Life Memberships are formally announced at the ISME General Assembly, and recipients are listed on the ISME website and in official ISME records.Full list of Honorary Life Members
1980’s
1990’s
2000’s
2010’s
2020’s
