Richard Nickerson, director of choral activities at Windham High School, is a semifinalist for the prestigious 2017 Grammy Music Educator award.

Nickerson, who conducts the award-winning Windham Chamber Singers, is among 25 music educators at public and private schools nationwide who were nominated. He is the only semi-finalist from Maine.

Nickerson has taught music at Windham High School for roughly three decades and is also the minister of music at North Windham Union Church.

To be named a semi-finalist, educators had to first be nominated and then submit an application.

Ten finalists will be picked for the Music Educator Award. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 59th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12 and will receive $10,000.

The award is sponsored by The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation. The Recording Academy is an organization dedicated to improving cultural conditions and quality of life for musicians.

Richard Nickerson