Longtime Bellefonte Area band director receives state award

If you ask some of band Director Jay Zimmerman’s students, they’ll likely say the longtime Bellefonte Area teacher has had a positive impact on their lives — and for that Zimmerman has been selected to receive the 2018 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Citation of Excellence in Teaching Award for District 4. “I was honored to be named as the recipient of this award,” Zimmerman said. “This award is not just an acknowledgement of my teaching. It is also recognition of the overall music program here at Bellefonte (Area) and the efforts of all of the music staff who contribute to the success of our ensembles.” The PMEA Citation of Excellence recognized music educators who have made “lasting contributions in their area of teaching.” It’s presented to those music educators on a four-year rotation among elementary, middle school, high school and college levels.