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Performing Arts Library Special Collections in Performing Arts 
Frances Elliott Clark Biography and Life Chronology Series Arrangement and Description
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Frances Elliott Clark Papers
Umbrella Collection name: Music Educators National Conference Historical Center
Title of Collection: Frances Elliott Clark Papers
Repository name: Special Collections in Performing Arts, Performing Arts Library, University of Maryland
Type: Personal and professional correspondence, organizational papers, and books
Extent: Approximately 20 linear feet
Description: Personal and professional correspondence and writings, organizational papers, and books relating to music education in the public schools
Statement of provenance: Gift from John F. Clark, grandson of Frances Elliott Clark
Governing documents: Deposit Data Sheet (MENC Historical Center, August 26, 1971); Letter to John F. Clark from Bruce Wilson (September 30, 1971)—notice of shipment arrival; Letter to John F. Clark from Bruce Wilson (June 13, 1973)—notice of shipment arrival.
Restrictions: Two manuscripts in this collection are governed by a document signed by the University in 1971, giving "publication and quotation rights" to John Fabian Clark during his lifetime and his heirs after his death. The manuscripts are "America's Song" and "Music Education as I Have Lived It."
Finding Aid: An unpublished finding aid by Jonathan Ray McCollum (completed April 2001) exists both on paper and as an electronic word processing file - MS Word 2000 for Windows - and is located in the repository.
SCPA shelf location: Collections Room, MENC aisle J
Organization of Collection, Scope, and Content Note: The materials have been arranged into series as appropriate. The professional and personal papers, correspondence, and other materials fill fourteen boxes. See Series Description for details.
Biography: Frances Elliott Clark, born near Angola, Indiana, taught in the public schools of Illinois and Iowa until 1903 when she became the supervisor of music in the Milwaukee public schools. In 1911, she became the director of the Education Department of the Victor Talking Machine Company, where she promoted the use of the phonograph in music education. She was a founding member and first president of the Music Supervisors National Conference, where she presided over the annual Founder’s Breakfasts, served on the executive committee, and chaired at various times the Archives, Necrology, and the Lowell Mason Sesquicentennial Committees.She was an officer of the NEA music section and was active in the Music Teachers National Association and the National Federation of Music Clubs. Dr. Clark addressed many groups and wrote numerous articles concerning music education for professional journals and newspapers.
| 1860 | Born May 27, near Angola, Indiana, daughter of Samuel Harvey and Jane Smiley Elliott |
| 1874 | Married John Clark at Mancelona, Michigan |
| 1880 | Husband, John Clark passed away |
| 1881 | Son, John Elliott Clark born |
| 1888 | Graduated from Tri-State College, Angola, Indiana |
| 1890 | Graduated from the Thomas Training School in Detroit, Michigan (for Public School Music Supervisory) |
| 1893 | Delegate to the organizational meeting of Music Supervisors National Conference, Chicago, Illinois |
| 1903 | Took position of Supervisor of Music in the schools of Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| 1907 | Helped found and became first president of the Music Supervisors National Conference (later renamed Music Educators National Conference) |
| 1910 | Wrote a complete comprehensive music course in thirteen books from kindergarten |
| 1911 | Became Director of Educational Department, Victor Talking Machine Company, Camden, New Jersey |
| 1915 | Initiated and carried through building and management of Victor "Temple of Music," San Francisco World's Fair |
| 1928 | Appointed U.S. delegate for the Anglo-American Music Conference |
| 1929 | Doctorate of Music awarded, Temple University |
| 1937 | Made Director Emerita of the Educational Department, RCA Victor Division |
| 1945 | Given citation for outstanding service in American music by National Association for American Composers and Conductors |
| 1958 |
Died June 14 at the age of 98, Salt Lake City, Utah |
Series I: Professional Addresses/Writings
Series II: Personal Writings
Series III: Correspondence
Series IV: Writings concerning Lowell Mason, Music educator
Series V: Music Educators National Conference Writings
Series VI: Music Association/Committee Writings
Series VII: Clippings
Series VIII: Publications and Bound Typescripts
Series Description:
Series I: Professional Addresses/Writings
Professional addresses by Frances Elliott Clark delivered at various
professional conferences including MENC, NEA, Folk Dance Society, as well as
many others.
Series II: Personal Writings
Personal writings by and about Frances Elliott Clark as well as select writings
by other authors she collected.
Series III: Correspondence
Professional and personal correspondence addressed by or to Frances Elliott
Clark.
Series IV: Writings concerning Lowell Mason, music educator
Correspondence and writings concerning Lowell Mason, music educator.
Lowell Mason’s philosophies concerning music education deeply influenced the
writings of Frances Elliott Clark. Correspondence concerning Lowell Mason
are arranged chronologically. Writings concerning Mr. Mason are arranged
alphabetically.
Series V: Music Educators National Conference Writings
Writings concerning the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and the Music
Supervisors National Conference (MSNC) including:
Correspondence, Membership Information, Founder’s Information, Journal
Contributions, and information on the Necrology Committee.
Series VI: Miscellaneous Music Association/Committee Writings
Comprises Frances Elliott Clark’s writings concerning various music
associations and clubs.
Series VII: Miscellaneous Clippings
Contains clippings including journal and newspaper clippings, music concert and
conference programs, miscellaneous blank letterheads, and others.
Series VIII: Publications and Bound Typescripts
Publications and bound typescripts by Frances Elliott Clark.
Materials from this collection must be used in the 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.
