Edward Bailey Birge Papers

Umbrella Collection name: Music Educators National Conference Historical Center

Individual Collection name: The Edward Bailey Birge Papers

Repository name: Special Collections in Performing Arts, Performing Arts Library, University of Maryland

Type: Published and non-published writings, photographs, programs, royalty statements, personal and professional letters and correspondence, obituaries, honors and certificates, and news clippings.

Collection dates: 1890-1952

Extent: 1.5 linear feet

Description:  Published articles about Birge, published and non-published writings by Birge, personal and professional letters, documents regarding Birge's book The History of Public School Music in the United States, individual and seasonal programs featuring Birge as organist, director, and conductor, signed agreements and royalty statements with Silver Burdett Company, obituaries, honors and certificates, news clippings, and photographs including one of Birge at the organ.

Statement of provenance: Gift of papers and materials from Robert C. Lewis was received in July 1984 and acknowledged in August 1984. Additional materials were received from Doris Rogers of MENC in May 1998.

Governing documents:  Signed Deed of Gift attached to letter dated August 16, 1984; accession record (85-55-MENC) dated July 7, 1984; additional materials with accession record (98-123-MENC) dated May 12, 1998.

Finding Aid:  An unpublished finding aid by Stephanie Keller is available in the repository. 

SCPA shelf location: Collections Room, MENC aisle J 

Biography: Edward Bailey Birge, 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, he became Supervisor of Music in the public schools of Easthampton, Massachusetts in 1891. Holding this post for five years, he then became Director of Music in the New Haven, Connecticut State Normal School and later became the Director of Music in the New Britain, Connecticut State Normal School. While completing his Bachelor of Music degree in 1904 at Yale University, he had also become Supervisor of Music in Indianapolis, Indiana Public Schools, a position he held for two decades from 1901 to 1921. During that time he took an active leadership role serving as president of the Indiana Music Teachers Association. In addition to becoming a professor of music at Indiana University from 1921 to 1938, he was also the co-author of several, widely used series of music textbooks for the public schools.

Life Chronology:
 

1868	Born June 12th, Northampton, Massachusetts, son of Edward and Cornelia Day Birge
1890	Traveled to Florence, Italy and studied piano with Giuseppe Buonomici
1891	Received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and became Supervisor of Music in the public schools of Easthampton, Massachusetts
1896	Became Director of Music in the New Haven, Connecticut State Normal School
1898	Became Director of Music in the New Britain, Connecticut State Normal School
1901	Supervisor of Music in Indianapolis, Indiana public schools where he organized the People's Chorus and held editorship of the Silver Song Series Nos. 6-8
1904	Received his Bachelor of Music degree from Yale University
1910	Held editorship of the Supplementary Song Series (Silver Burdett)
1911	Elected president of the Music Supervisors National Conference (later becoming the Music Educators National Conference) which he had helped to found a few years earlier
1916	Chairman of the Indiana Centennial Celebration
1920	Chairman of the Indianapolis Centennial Celebration
1921	Professor of music at Indiana University
1927	Began serving as Organist and Choir Director of the Trinity Episcopal Church, Bloomington, Indiana and contributed to the planning and launching of The Music Hour
1928	The History of Public School Music in the United States was published by the Oliver Ditson Company
1938	Retired with emeritus rank from Indiana University
1947	Resigned as Organist and Choir Director of the Trinity Episcopal Church, Bloomington Indiana
1952	Died in Bloomington, Indiana on July 16th

Series Arrangement:

Series I: Writings
Series II: Letters
Series III: History of Public School Music
Series IV: Business Documents
Series V: Programs
Series VI: Honors and Organization Certificates
Series VII: Obituaries
Series VIII: Clippings
Series IX: Photographs

Series Description:

Series I: Writings
Series I contains various articles from the Discussion Club at Indiana University 1928-1952, published articles about Birge, published and non-published writings by Birge, published articles on the National Music Supervisors Conferences in Chicago 1928, collected writings on Will Earhart, and collected non-music journals.

Series II: Letters
Series II is made up of letters from Indiana University between 1920 and 1949, letters regarding MENC between 1928 and 1948, letters to Birge from Hamilton C. MacDougal between 1939 and 1944, and miscellaneous letters both personal and professional.

Series III: History of Public School Music
Series III contains reviews from various journals, correspondence and letters of appreciation and interest, and related articles regarding Birge’s book The History of Public School Music in the United States.

Series IV: Business Documents
The majority of this series includes signed agreements and royalty statements of Birge’s publications made with Silver Burdett Company listed chronologically between 1910 and 1954.

Series V: Programs
This series includes individual and seasonal programs featuring Birge as a choral conductor, organist, director, donor patron, and lecturer. The programs span the years between 1908 and 1946. They are divided into sub-series chronologically by event or performance.

Series VI: Honors and Organization Certificates
This series includes certificates between the years of 1924 and 1938 given to Birge for his membership in various clubs, fraternities, and associations.

Series VII: Obituaries
Series VII includes a copy of Birge’s final Last Will and Testament, memorial resolutions, and published articles in memory of Birge.

Series VIII: Clippings
Series VIII consists of news clippings between the years 1890 and 1944. Clippings include personal articles, music-related articles, and concert announcements and reviews of performances directed by Birge.

Series IX: Photographs
This series includes one photo plate of Edward B. Birge, a photograph of Birge at the organ, and a group photograph of Birge, McConathy, Miessner, and Morgan.

Materials from this collection must be used in the Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10 to 5, Monday through Friday. Please make an appointment with the curator.

Or for a specific question about the collection feel free to ask the curator.

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