Frances Elliott Clark (1860–1958) was an early music-appreciation advocate. As a teacher in twentieth century Ottumwa, Iowa, Clark spent ten minutes in each of her chorus rehearsals telling students about composers or helping them recognize the stylistic features of a work that made it possible to place it in its correct historical context. Shortly thereafter, the phonograph added new opportunities for students to listen to music. Clark, who by 1903 had moved to

Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee i ...

, told of her introduction to Edison's invention and of its potential. She realized the difference it could make to her students if they could hear professional recordings. Her principal agreed, and approved the purchase of a machine for the schools.

Curriculum Development

Clark made herself an authority on the use of the phonograph to teach music to children and in 1910 spoke to the Wisconsin Teachers Association on " Victrolas in the Schools."

Edward Bailey Birge Edward Bailey Birge (1868–1952) was a founding member of the Music Supervisors National Conference, which later became the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). Birge served as president of the organization from 1910–1911, and also a ...

, president of the Music Supervisors National Conference (later MENC), invited her to present this subject at his MSNC program in Detroit. Within a year she had moved to Camden, New Jersey, where she established an educational department for the Victor Talking Machine Company. She supervised the preparation of recordings designed for use in the classroom. Recordings were also developed to correlate music with English and American literature. Among other responsibilities, Clark assisted record and Victrola dealers in setting up educational displays to help music educators learn the benefits of the phonograph. Victor issued a number of instructional booklets prepared by Clark and assistants. Clark remained with Victor for the rest of her professional career but kept up with the times in the 1920s, when she promoted the radio as an avenue to music appreciation.

References

Mark, M.L. and Gary, C.L. (1999). ''A History of American Music Education''. Reston, The National Association for Music Education.

External links

*
Frances Elliott Clark Papers, Special Collections in Performing Arts at the University of Maryland

Frances Elliott Clark recordings
at the Discography of American Historical Recordings. {{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Frances Elliott Educators from Iowa American music educators American women music educators 1860 births 1958 deaths