Music Educators Association Papers, 1947-1990

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Summary

Title:
Inventory of the California Music Educators Association Papers
Dates:
1947-1990
Creators:
California Music Educators Association
Abstract:
The California Music Educators Association records consist of 4 cubic feet of records and three audiocassette tapes documenting the activity of the Association from 1947-1990.
Extent:
4 cubic feet of textual records
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], California Music Educators Association, C105.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The California Music Educators Association records consist of 4 cubic feet of records and three audiocassette tapes documenting the activity of the Association from 1947-1990. The records are organized into nine series: Executive Board Minutes, Board Minutes, State Music Committee Files, Subject Files, History Files, Correspondence, Affiliated Organizations Files, Convention Files, and Newsletters. Files contain meeting minutes, correspondence, planning documents, newsletters, newspaper clippings, bibliographies, financial records, and audiotapes.

Researchers interested in the history of music education in California will find valuable information in the records. Of special interest are the oral histories of founding members and significant music educators in state history. Other topics of interest concern efforts of the CMEA to promote education in California public and private schools.

The State Music Committee series and the Affiliated Organizations series contain information about the political aspects of fine arts education in California, as do the Subject Files on Advocacy and Textbook adoption. Newsletters and Correspondence illuminate the general relations among California music educators as well as their professional and artistic activities.

Information found in the Convention Files series may be useful for researchers interested in examining the development of music teaching methods. Convention Files also shed light on historically important high school and college band programs (and their directors) in California history. Concert programs contained in the files provide information on the history of symphonic band and orchestra repertoire.

Biographical / historical:

California music educators officially created the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) in 1948. Prior to this time the association existed as a Section of the Western Division of the Music Educators National Conference. Dr. Clarence Heagy served as the first CMEA President.

CMEA is a federated unit of the MENC: The National Association for Music Education. Membership in the CMEA is open to all music educators working in public and private schools, colleges and universities in California. The stated purposes of the association are: to promote access to a sequential music education for all Pre-K through grade 12 students taught by fully qualified music educators; to support and improve existing music programs; to promote quality pre-service and in-service music teacher preparation programs; and, to create a greater awareness of the value of music education through partnerships with other associations and advocacy among state and local agencies.

In the late 1970s the MENC Historical Center, located in the McKeldin Library at the University of Maryland, lobbied the MENC National Executive Board to designate a council of MENC State Historical Representatives. Led by Historical Center Curator Bruce D. Wilson, the Historical Council sought to collect and preserve archival materials for both the MENC and State-level associations. The CMEA appointed Daniel C. Parsons to the position of Historical Representative for California. The first meeting of State Representatives for Historical Collection was held in Atlantic City on March 12, 1976. The purpose of the meeting was to establish formal channels of cooperation between the state associations and the Historical Center for the preservation of historic materials. Parsons collected the bulk of the materials that were then deposited at the California State Archives in 1981 and which form this basis of the collection described here.

Acquisition information:
Daniel Parsons donated the collection to the California State Archives in 1981.
Accruals:

No further accruals are expected

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Aaron Richardson
Date Prepared:
© 2007
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Sven Kennedy. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: 01 October 2007.

Access and use

Restrictions:

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Terms of access:

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], California Music Educators Association, C105.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website