James L. Fisher collection
Collection
0186-SCPA
Dr. James Long Fisher (1929-2003) was an American music educator and government official. The James L. Fisher collection consists of tune books, hymnals, education texts, and 343 scores related to children’s music education collected by Dr. Fisher. Also included in the collection are newspaper clippings, 19 RCA Victor record library for elementary school sets, and 17 LPs.
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.
This collection is still being processed. To access an inventory of the collection, please contact SCPA’s curator.
Copyright was not transferred to the University of Maryland with the donation of the materials. All rights remain with the creators and rights holders. The University of Maryland Libraries is granted permission for the use in scholarly research by the Libraries’ patrons under fair use in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.
To inquire about duplication of materials for research or for publication, please contact SCPA’s curator.
54.00 Linear Feet
The James L. Fisher collection consists of tune books, hymnals, education texts, and 343 scores related to children’s music education collected by Dr. James Fisher. Also included in the collection are newspaper clippings, 19 RCA Victor record library for elementary school sets, and 17 LPs.
Dr. James Long Fisher (b. April 17, 1929, Rocky Ridge, Maryland - d. December 4, 2003, Frederick, Maryland) was an American music educator and government official.
Born to Roy and Nellie Fisher, Dr. Fisher graduated from Thurmont High School in 1946 and Lebanon Valley College in 1951. After serving with the United States Army in Korea, he married Mary Long Fisher on August 22, 1954. Dr. Fisher went on to earn a master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in education from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Fisher began his career as an educator teaching in Dundalk, Maryland, eventually transferring to Clear Spring Elementary School and Hancock High School. He began teaching for the Frederick County elementary schools and in 1957 was appointed music supervisor. He continued working for Frederic County schools until 1966, when he accepted the position of music supervisor for the Maryland State Department of Education, later becoming a consultant in music for gifted and talented programs in the school system. In 1977, he became the principal of Catoctin High School. Dr. Fisher also taught instrumental music and conducted the Mount St. Mary’s College Mount Singers.
In addition to his work as an educator, Dr. Fisher served as the first president of the Frederick County Symphony Society, and an author of research on music education. As a United Methodist pastor he served local communities; he was director of music for the Graceham Moravian Church for 33 years, and as music director of the Weller United Methodist Church in Thurmont.
The collection is organized into five series:
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library