Edward Bailey Birge (1868-1952) was a music educator and author who taught in public schools, universities, and teacher training colleges. He was a founding member and later president of the Music Supervisors National Conference, which would later become the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and then the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). The Birge Papers cover the period from 1890 to 1966; the bulk of the materials date from 1890 to 1952. The collection consists of writings, correspondence, business agreements, programs, certificates, news clippings, photographs, and music.
Dates
1890-1966
Majority of material found within 1890-1952
Use and Access to Collection
The collection is open for research use.
Duplication and Copyright Information
Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Contact the curator for an appointment: http://www.lib.umd.edu/scpa/contact
Edward Bailey Birge (1868-1952), a founding member and later president of the Music Supervisors National Conference, was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. He received his formal education at the Classical School in Providence, Rhode Island. Upon receiving his Bachelor in Arts at Brown University in 1891, he became Supervisor of Music in the public schools of Easthampton, Massachusetts. After five years in this position, he became Director of Music in the New Haven, Connecticut State Normal School and Director of Music in the New Britain, Connecticut State Normal School.
While completing his Bachelor of Music degree at Yale University, he also served as Supervisor of Music in Indianapolis, Indiana Public Schools. He held this position from 1901 to 1921, during which time he also served as President of the Indiana Music Teachers Association. From 1921 until 1938, Birge was Professor of Music at Indiana University. In addition to teaching, Birge composed music and was the co-author of several widely-used series of music textbooks for the public schools.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into ten series.
Series 1: Writings
Series 2: Letters
Series 3: History of Public School Music
Series 4: Business Documents
Series 5: Programs
Series 6: Honors and Organization Certificates
Series 7: Obituaries
Series 8: Clippings
Series 9: Photographs
Series 10: Composed Music
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Gift of papers and materials from Robert C. Lewis, Edward B. Birge's nephew, received July, 1984. Additional materials received from Doris Rogers of MENC in May, 1998, and from Robert Lewis in July, 2004.
