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The Bulletin OF THE S OCIETY FOR A MERIC A N M U S IC FOUNDED IN HONOR OF O S C A R G . T. S ONNECK Vol. XXXVII, No. 1 Winter 2011 SAM Wants Your Ideas! Unpublished Song by A Vision for the Society’s Future and A Call to Action Amy Beach Discovered – Mark Clague who rejected the more extreme compo- – Judy Tsou The Society for American Music has sitional practices of Varèse, Stravinsky, proven enormously successful, so much or Schoenberg, was moved – despite her so that we now face new challenges. A summer project to inventory uncata- conservative pronouncements – to exper- Founded in 1975, The Sonneck Society logued manuscripts in the University of iment with modern idioms. Indeed, she (since 1999, the Society for American Washington Music Library resulted in wanted to be thought of as an up-to-date Music) has propelled research in what had the discovery of a previously unpublished composer and took steps, largely unrec- once been a marginal topic into a core 2-page song, “Birth,” by Amy Beach ognized, to change with the times” (224). discipline of musicology. Today, research (1867-1944). Amy Marcy Cheney Beach The catalyst for the change in her musical on American music figures prominent- (or Mrs. H. H. A. Beach) was the first style was her acquaintance with younger ly on conference programs of academic American woman to write a symphony composers, such as Marion Bauer (1882- music societies from AMS and SMT to and other large scale works including an 1955), while at the MacDowell Colony SEM and IASPM. Publishers’ book list- opera (Cabildo). She composed over 170 in 1921. Bauer, fifteen years Beach’s ings celebrate the rich history of U. S. works; about 110 of them are songs. This junior, “was searching for solutions to musical culture. Courses on American prolific composer was well recognized artistic problems posed by the modernist music are vital offerings on many cam- both as a composer and a pianist during movement in the arts” in 1921 (Block, puses. And the Journal of the Society for her time. Her Gaelic Symphony was pre- 224) while working on the book How American Music (JSAM) is proving to be miered by the Boston Symphony in 1897 Music Grew. The book was one of the one of the most prestigious scholarly seri- under the baton of famed conductor Emil first to declare Debussy as the beginning als. What began with the ambitions and Paur; other famous conductors such as of modernism, and Bauer’s own music is energies of a few dozen devoted scholars Leopold Stokowski of the Philadelphia largely impressionist. Perhaps it is not an has grown and thrived. Orchestra and Frederick Stock of the accident that the accompaniment of this Yet the Society’s very success presents Chicago Symphony also performed her song, at times, hints at the impressionist not just new opportunities but also seri- symphony and piano concerto. A con- parallel chords of Debussy as well (Ex. 1, ous challenges. Chief among them is the temporary, composer George Chadwick, continued on page 3 need to envision goals that will inspire praised her symphony and called her “one continuing scholarly excellence and carry of the boys,” an intended compliment the organization, its members, and the that reflects the small value society placed field forward. Such challenges inspired on women’s compositions at the time. in this issue: SAM’s executive board to initiate a stra- The manuscript of this song is itself tegic planning effort, which will culmi- undated, but Beach biographer Adrienne A Vision for the Fried Block dates it 1929,1 putting it 01 nate in a brainstorming forum on Friday Society’s Future: morning at our March national meeting in Beach’s third and last compositional in Cincinnati. Your ideas and comments style. The song, indeed, is typical of A Call to Action are needed. In the New Year, the Long her late vocal compositions: the music Range Planning Committee sent an elec- is modernist and the text is conser- Unpublished Song by 01 tronic survey to all members. Results will vative. Biographer Block says, “Beach, Amy Beach Discovered be shared in Cincinnati and serve as the basis for a wide-ranging discussion. 1 It is not known how Block ascertained the date of the composition. The date is in- The American Music 08 The Society’s Long-Range Planning cluded in the “Catalog of Works” appendix Recordings Archive continued on page 2 of the biography, p. 308. continued from page 1 nurturing K-12 music education (e.g., El SMT, or SEM. Sistema USA and SAM’s own educational To conclude the retreat, participants Committee first met this past September— project Voices Across Time), increasing divided into three groups to create a far from an Internet connection—in the research funding, sharing teaching mate- vision statement for the Society. Distinct Laurel Mountains outside of Pittsburgh. rials and strategies, establishing public from a mission statement, a vision state- Participants were selected to represent outreach programs, collaborating with ment is a long-term definition of an the geographic, cultural, and profession- other academic, educational, and cultural organization’s purpose—it is an answer al diversity of the Society’s some 900+ organizations, fundraising to support the to the question why, rather than what or members. We joined with president Tom Society, nurturing diversity through study how. Vision statements typically describe Riis, president-elect Katherine Preston, of a wide range of minority musical cul- a future state of the organization. They and executive director Mariana Whitmer, tures as well as American music outside identify what an entity desires to become to reflect on the Society’s past, present, the United States, engaging with social and how this might influence the world and future. After introductions and a media, providing copyright education around it. The three resulting statements review of the Society’s history by Denise and policy advocacy, and deepening the are: Von Glahn, facilitator Cheryl Tomko led Society’s support of students. This list is 1. To be the premier non-profit society for participants through a “S.W.O.T.” analy- just a beginning. As mentioned above, we the understanding, promotion, and dis- sis of the Society’s strengths, weaknesses, actively solicit additional ideas from all semination of American musics in their opportunities, and threats. SAM members. global and local contexts. The core strength of the Society for Yet the Society’s success hides internal 2. To be the premier organization that advances the discovery and understand- American Music is quality of scholarship weaknesses and looming external hazards ing of the evolving world of American as manifest in both JSAM and our annual that must be addressed to assure our music and musical cultures. meetings. Such research is our reason for continuing success. We are particularly 3. To be a highly visible and respected orga- existing at all. Another key strength of our concerned about static membership num- nization that supports and disseminates Society is mutual support and friendliness bers with limited prospects for growth high-quality scholarship on American rooted in a shared passion for American (especially poor renewal rates for mid- musics both within the academy and to music. This camaraderie became charac- career memberships), strained financial the general public. teristic of Sonneck meetings, beginning resources and a too-small endowment, A Call to Action with the organization’s initial planning the need for more volunteers, the need for SAM needs you and your ideas! Too meeting at Washington D.C.’s Iron Gate improved communication (internally, as often strategic planning results in little Restaurant, and remains a core value of well as external branding), the potential more than good feeling and a glossy the Society. Planning committee member for cliques that might detract from SAM’s report that sits neglected in a filing cabi- had fond memories of their first SAM ideals of friendliness and inclusiveness, net, unused. The Society’s board, how- conferences and spoke of the enriching limited awareness for the Society’s awards, ever, is committed to translating these network of personal support they felt, and the danger that too much attention ideas into action. Shortly after the New often as graduate students. Cooperation to the needs of university academics Year, SAM members received an invita- rather than competition consistently might inhibit the Society’s ability to meet tion to complete an online survey to inspires and improves our research. the needs of other member types as well add their comments and ideas to those Beyond excellence, sociability, and a as the general public. Such weaknesses are detailed above. The Long Range Planning passion for American music, many other best addressed proactively, and we need Committee will use this feedback to com- positives derive from and enhance these for the members of SAM to weigh in on plete the vision statement and revise the core values. At our meetings, for example, these issues. Society’s Long Range Plan. We hope that the program engages our host city in both Potential external hazards identified you will participate! The Society’s future papers and tours, the silent auction sup- included the ready availability of mis- depends on its members, and your per- ports student travel, and the brass band information about American music, spective and ideas are important. Please and Sacred Harp sing bring people togeth- competition from other societies now respond to the survey and attend the er and celebrate our sounding traditions. that American music has been accepted open forum hosted by SAM President Other strengths include the Society’s as a viable field, a general erosion of Tom Riis and President-elect Katherine minority initiatives, honorary member- American music education, demograph- Preston at our upcoming national meet- ships, our diversity of professional affili- ic changes to which the Society has ing.

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