This history traces the roots and development of the International Society for the Philosophy of Music Education (1985-2015). Taking a cross-disciplinary approach to historiography based on autobiographical reflection grounded in documentary evidence, it focuses on the people, events, and contributions of the society and the symposia out of which it grew and with which it was associated. Among the themes in this account are the American roots of the symposia, their growing internationalization and institutionalization, the founding of the "Philosophy of Music Education Review" and the International Society for the Philosophy of Music Education, evolving symposia structures, a democratic process of governance, the mentoring of philosophers and leaders in the community, and initiatives to strengthen the philosophical preparation of doctoral students in music education.