Music Education in United States

  • instrumental music taught at St. Augustine, Florida to Native Americans

    In 1603 the first school opened in its area in St. Augustine Florida. A group of Spanish Friars came to America for the sole purpose of educating the Native Americans. There is evidence that instrumental music was taught at this school.
  • First song book published in America

    Though full of errors, the first book published in Massachusetts Bay was The Bay Psalm Book, this book contained text meant to be sung during worship services. It was translated from Hebrew, by a group of 30 elders. The Bay Psalm Book
  • First Singing School Established in Boston

    The first school completely dedicated to singing was founded in Boston. It had a mission to teach students to read music and sing well in church celebrations.
  • Song Books with music notation

    Largely up to this point song books had been printed in a metered rhythmic way to aid in singing correctly and well. Tufts and Walter both published songbooks of psalms.
  • Singing school adds instrumental music

    Samuel Holyoke expanded his singing school to create an instrumental school in Salem, Massachusetts.
  • The Theory of Instruction In Singing

    Hans George Nageli's "The Theory of Instruction in Singing" combined Pestalozzi's objectives with musical knowledge which ushered in a new era in music instruction.
  • Outline of "Principles of the Pestalozzian System of Music" Presented in Boston

    Outline of "Principles of the Pestalozzian System of Music" Presented in Boston
    Joseph H. Naef founded a school in America in 1809 based on the Pestalozzian methods. Music was considered a basic subject at this school. Naef presented an outline of these principles to the American Institute of Instruction in Boston. `
  • Boston school board includes vocal music in elementary education

    Lowell Mason was the first supervisor of elementary vocal music in Boston public school, officially. He taught music in schools for free because he believed in what he did. Lowell Mason
  • High School Orchestra begins

    High School Orchestra begins
    Richmond, Indiana begins the first high school orchestra. This was organized by Will Earhart in 1889. It would later become the model for quality school instrumental programs.
  • Music Supervisors National Conference Established

    Music Supervisors National Conference Established
    The Music Supervisors National Conference is established and would eventually become National Association for Music Education.
  • Mitchell Class Method created

    Albert F. Mitchell takes a year's leave of absence in 1910 to study violin. He was inspired to develop the Mitchell Class Method which would eventually cover the teaching of other instruments.
  • Class Piano Instruction begins

    Class Instruction begins in Cincinnati. They first began at high schools but eventually spread to elementary schools as well.
  • Technical School Opens with music included in study.

    Technical School Opens with music included in study.
    Cass Technical School opens and includes music in its curriculum. The students leave the school with the ability to become professional musicians.
  • First National Band Contest

    A new band program in Fostoria, Ohio organized by J.W. Wainwrited won the first annual National Band Contest which was held in Chicago.
  • Works Progress Administration Founded

    Works Progress Administration Founded
    Works Progress Administration was founded with the purpose of stimulating and supporting creativity through funding.
  • American String Teachers Association

    The American String Teachers Association began as a way to promote string playing and teaching. It was based on the National Guild of Piano Teachers. ASTA
  • Child's Bill of Rights in Music

    The Child's Bill of Rights says that all students have a right to excellent music education. This is still utilized today by NAfME. Child's Bill of Rights in Music
  • International Society for Music Education

    This society was formed as a way to help make music education a part of general education. isme
  • American School Band Directors Association

    The American School Band Directors Association with the goal of influencing "the direction and furthering the cause of good music in the nation's public schools." ASBDA
  • Yale Seminar

    The Yale Seminar was held in 1963. It was a federally supported program for arts education.
  • The Tanglewood Symposium

    The Tanglewood Symposium met for the purpose of providing guidance and making the programs more modernized and up-to-date on current issues.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    The Education for All Handicapped Children Act required all schools to provide music instruction. This also meant that they were required to provide music teachers trained to work with those kids.
  • Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need to Know and Be Able to Do

    The report "Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need to Know and Be Able to Do" is published and it strongly supports the arts. Academic Preparation...
  • Holmes Group Submits Report

    The Holmes Group submits a report with the goal of improving teacher education in America.
  • Toward Civilization: A Report on Arts Education

    The goal of the report was to improve the music education students were receiving and to unify their evaluation.
  • National Standards for Music Education

    The National Standards for Music Education offered guidance on what students should be able to do as a result of participating in music classes. National Standards
  • No Child Left Behind

    No Child Left Behind Act to increase accountability to schools for educational outcomes in an attempt to bridge the gap between the extremes in education.