Collection: Elizabeth V. Beach papers

Elizabeth V. Beach (1882-1951) was a pioneer member of the Eastern Conference of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), later known as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). In 1921, she came to Syracuse, New York, and became Assistant Supervisor of Music in the Syracuse Public Schools. In 1934, she was promoted to Supervisor, a position she held until her retirement in 1945. During her time in Syracuse, Beach founded the annual Christmas Carol Festival and was a member of many local organizations. In the summers, she worked as a tour guide in Europe. The collection contains letters, writings, Christmas Carol Festival materials, administrative materials, photographs, clippings, instructional materials, travel guides, publications, realia, and sound recordings related to Beach's work as a music educator and as a tour guide, and as a member of the Music Educators National Conference.

Dates

1928-1951
Majority of material found within 1928-1951

Use and Access to Collection

The collection is open for research use. Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room during SCPA’s operating hours. Please contact the curator for an appointment or if you have questions related to digital access of the materials.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

10 audio materials

Additional Description

Scope and Content of Collection

The Elizabeth V. Beach papers cover the years 1928 to 1951. The collection contains materials related to Beach's work as a music educator in Syracuse, New York, as a tour guide in Europe, and as a member of the Music Educators National Conference. The papers include letters, writings, materials regarding the Christmas Carol Festival, administrative materials, photographs, clippings, instructional materials, travel guides, publications, realia, and sound recordings.

Biography

As a pioneer member of the Eastern Conference, Elizabeth V. Beach was a valued participant in Music Educators National Conference (MENC) activities for many years. The organization is now known as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Born in Lima, Peru, in 1882, Beach moved to Syracuse, New York in 1921 to work as Assistant Supervisor of Music in the public schools. In 1934, she became Supervisor, a position she held until her retirement in 1945. Though she taught during the school year, Beach spent many of her summers as a tour guide in Europe. She also founded and directed the annual Christmas Carol Festival in Syracuse. An active member of her community, she was president of the Professional Women's League and a member of various organizations, including the Friends of Reading, the Current Events Club, the New York State Historical Association, Morning Musicals, the League of Women Voters, and the Corinthian Club. She was also President of the New York State Music Supervisors Association and President of the Music Supervisors National Association.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into 11 series:

Letters
Writings
Festival Materials
Administrative Materials
Photographs
Clippings
Instructional Materials
Travel Guides
Publications
Realia
Sound Recordings

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

The Elizabeth V. Beach papers were donated by Mr. Edward B. Sackett, nephew of Elizabeth V. Beach, via Charles Gary (agent), on four occasions: July 10, 1981, November 11, 1983, January 19, 1993, and April 26, 1995.

Related Material

This material is part of the National Association of Music Educators (NAfME) Historical Center, previously known as the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) Historical Center.

Topics

Administrative Information

Title: Elizabeth V. Beach papers
Status: Completed
Author: Vincent J. Novara (1995); Revised by Stephanie Keller (2001) and Cassandra N. Berman (2009).
Date: March 1995; revised October 2001 and November 2009
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: English
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: Finding aid written in English

Library Details

Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library

http://www.lib.umd.edu/mspal

Contact:
University of Maryland Libraries
8270 Alumni Drive
College Park MD 20742 United States
scpa@umd.edu

Elizabeth V. Beach papers

Dates

Use and Access to Collection

Extent

Additional Description

Scope and Content of Collection

Biography

Arrangement

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

Related Material

Topics

Administrative Information

Library Details

Library Details

Navigate the Collection

Useful Links

Contact Us