Leadership in Music Education

Title: Leadership in Music Education Author(s): Charles Leonhard Source: Leonhard, C. (1994, Summer). Leadership in music education. The Quarterly, 5(2), pp. 16-27. (Reprinted with permission in Visions of Research in Music Education, 16(5), Autumn, 2010). Retrieved from http://www-usr.rider.edu/~vrme/ It is with pleasure that we inaugurate the reprint of the entire seven volumes of The Quarterly Journal of Music Teaching and Learning. The journal began in 1990 as The Quarterly. In 1992, with volume 3, the name changed to The Quarterly Journal of Music Teaching and Learning and continued until 1997. The journal contained articles on issues that were timely when they appeared and are now important for their historical relevance. For many authors, it was their first major publication. Visions of Research in Music Education will publish facsimiles of each issue as it originally appeared. Each article will be a separate pdf file. Jason D. Vodicka has accepted my invitation to serve as guest editor for the reprint project and will compose a new editorial to introduce each volume. Chad Keilman is the production manager. I express deepest thanks to Richard Colwell for granting VRME permission to re-publish The Quarterly in online format. He has graciously prepared an introduction to the reprint series. Leadership In Music Education Charles Leonhard University of Illinois y purpose in writing this paper is to The paper begins with a description of the share my personal perception of circumstance surrounding my first involve- M the operation of the Music Educa- ment with the MENC and my initial impres- tors National Conference and the contribu- sions of the operation of the Conference and tions of the leaders in the music education continues with an account of my experience profession with whom I was associated from with the Committee on Audiovisual Aids. 1947 to 1982, the period during which I was Succeeding sections of the paper treat pro- active in the organization. Over those years, grams and leaders of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, my involvement with MENC included chair- and the first two years of the 1980s. ing the Committee on the Use of Recordings My association with MENC began in 1947 and the Committee on Graduate Study; serv- when I was invited to become chair of the ing as a member of the Research Council and national Committee on the Use of Record- the Commission on Basic Concepts; serving ings, a subcommittee of the Committee on as a member of the Editorial Board of the Audiovisual Aids. The circumstances sur- Journal of Research in Music Education; par- rounding my appointment gave me insight ticipating in three significant initiatives - the into the operation of the MENC at that time. I Contemporary Music Program, Comprehen- was an instructor in music education, working sive Musicianship, and Lifelong Learning; on my doctorate at Teachers College, Colum- making frequent presentations at national bia. Lilla Belle Pitts, my mentor, friend, and and division meetings; and founding the So- colleague at TC was a close friend of Vanett ciety for Music Teacher Education. (Note Lawler, Assistant Executive Secretary of MENC. that I never sought an elective office.) Lawler frequently came to ew York to spend The content of this paper essentially repre- the weekend. When she was in town, she, sents a memoir based on my participation in Pitts, and I made almost a ritual of having Sun- and observation of selected programs, day brunch at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. themes, and projects conducted by the One Sunday in the spring of 1947, Lawler MENC, with special attention to the men and was discussing her vision for the MENC, women who, in my estimation, provided which included emphasis on the use of au- leadership of sterling quality in the develop- diovisual aids. As she mulled over that idea, ment of MENC as a professional organization she suggested that Pitts should chair the and the music education profession in gen- Committee on Audiovisual Aids, and that I eral. I have sought to be objective in my se- should chair IDe Subcommittee on Recordings. lection of significant programs, themes, Thus, Iwas a chair of a national committee projects, and outstanding leaders, but I do before I was a member of the organization. not deny that my personal biases affected This experience revealed to me that Cliff that selection. Buttleman, Executive Secretary, and Vanett Lawler, who later became Executive Director, Charles Leonhard is Professor cf Music Emeri- had a long-range vision of the role of the tus, University of Illinois, and Director of Re- MENC and that the national headquarters search, National Arts Education Research Cen- staff played a major role in policy formation, ter at the University of Illinois - Urbana- decision making, and program planning. Champaign. 16 The Quarterly fournal of Music Teaching and Learning This mode of operation continued through Lawler made to the development of the Lawler's tenure as Executive Director and MENC. Lilla Belle Pitts also merits special contributed greatly to the success and influ- recognition as a charismatic leader who ence of the Conference. In essence, presi- served as president during the critical years of dents came and went every two years and World War II and made a glowing contribu- contributed ideas consistent with the long- tion to the cause of general music throughout range program but rarely, if ever, struck out her long and distinguished career. in a direction inconsistent with the ongoing My tenure as Chair of the Subcommittee on developmental program envisioned by Recordings lasted from 1948 to 1952. During Buttleman, Lawler, and the those four years, I was headquarters staff. Their lead- privileged to be closely as- ership was the major factor in The content of sociated with numerous the development of the MENC outstanding leaders in the as a powerful professional this paper essen- field of music education, organization. tially represents a including several former The Buttleman-Lawler era MENC presidents. Pitts was lasted from 1930 through rnernoir based on succeeded by Rose Marie Buttleman's retirement in rny participation Grentzer. Richard Berg 1953 to Lawler's retirement in also served in that position, 1968. In the face of opposi- in and obsetva- and William C. Hartshorn tion from some members, tion of selected chaired the Commission on they moved the headquarters Music in the Media, orga- from Chicago to Washington, prograITls,therncs nized by Robert Choate DC, where the MENC had and projects con- during his presidency. offices in the National Educa- This continuity in empha- tion Association Building. ducted by the sis on the use of technol- This move was motivated by MENC with spe- ogy from 1946 to 1956 is, their desire to be located near in my opinion, truly no- the seat of educational and cial attention to table. Presidents Luther political power, and over the the rrieri and Richman 0946-48), Charles years the move paid off hand- Dennis 0948-50), Marguer- somely in frequent commu- -W-OITlen-w-ho,in ite Hood (1950-52), Ralph nication and coordination rny estiITlation, Rush 0952-54), and Robert between the two organiza- Choate 0954-56) lent en- tions to their mutual benefit provided thusiastic support to our and positive relationships leadership of work. We were all dedi- with officials in federal agen- cated to incorporating cies, foundations, and cul- sterling quality ... available technology in the tural organizations. It is no- teaching of music, a chal- table that biennial programs lenge with which the music indicate that MENCfunctioned as a department education profession at large has continued of the NEA until 1970, when it became an to grapple, often unsuccessfully. affiliate. After 1972, the programs ceased to My initial experience with leaders in the indicate any relationship between the two MENC impressed me with their quality and organizations. Lawler also became a power dedication and with the potential of the orga- in the Pan American Union, which enabled nization to make a positive contribution to the MENC to develop international relation- the cause of music education. Lilla Belle ships that eventually led to the formation of Pitts introduced me to many former MENC the International Society for Music Education. presidents. As a result, I became aware of I think it important that the current MENC the impressive status of Directors of Music in membership be aware of the magnificent large cities and the leadership they exerted in contribution Cliff Buttleman and Vanett the Conference and the profession as a Volume 11; Number 2 17 whole. I consider it significant that from Northwestern University and Boston Univer- 1926 to 1950, eight of the twelve presidents sity; William McBride (1956-58), Ohio State of the MENC held the position of Director of University; Karl D. Ernst 0958-60), Alameda Music in a large city. They include George State College, Hayward, CA; Allen Britton Oscar Bowen 0926-28), Tulsa; Mabelle 0960-62), University of Michigan; Alex Glenn 0928-30), Kansas City; Russell V. Mor- Zimmerman 0962-64), University of Mis- gan 0930-32), Cleveland; Louis Woodson souri; Paul Van Bodegraven 0964-66), ew Curtis 0938-40), Los Angeles; Fowler Smith York University; Wiley Housewright 0968- 0940-42), Detroit; John G. Kendel 0944-46), 70, Florida State University; Frances Andrews Denver; Luther Richman 0946-48), Cincin- 0970-72), Pennsylvania State University; nati; and Charles M. Dennis 0948-50), San Charles Benner 0974-76), University of Cin- Francisco. cinnati; Robert Klotman 0976-78), Indiana During this era, the position of Director of University; James Mason 0978-80), University Music was a seat of power in cities and of Utah; and Mary Hoffman (1980-82), Uni- towns across the country.

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