Vanett Lawler Collection

Umbrella Collection name: Music Educators National Conference Historical Center

Title of Collection: Vanett Lawler Collection

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

Type: Papers, Photographs, Scrapbooks

Extent: Approximately 7.5 linear feet

Description: Personal and professional correspondence and writings, organizational papers, photographs, and books relating to music education, MENC, ISME, and UNESCO.

Statement of provenance: Gift from Dorothy P. Regardie

Governing documents: Acknowledgement letter dated Ocotber 19, 1987 and Dorothy Regardie Gift Inventory with three Accession Numbers: (88-7-MENC) delivered July 22 and August 26, 1987; (88-9-ISME) delivered August 5 and 26, 1987; and (88-10-MENC) delivered August 5, 1987.

Finding Aid: An unpublished finding aid by Elaine Phelps (1992) exists both on paper and as an electronic word processing file and is located in the repository.

SCPA shelf location: Collections Room, MENC aisle I

Organization of Collection, Scope, and Content Note: Materials pertaining to the life and career of Vanett Lawler can be found in three collections maintained by Special Collections in Performing Arts. The MENC Historical Center contains materials reflecting Lawler's official functions within MENC and the Vanett Lawler Papers, within the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Archives, contain official ISME documents and items related to her official positions within ISME.

This collection, the Vanett Lawler Collection, is divided into fifteen boxes and contains items related to Lawler's activities in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and various general and music education organizations, a music collection, and several items not related to other collections. Items in this collection concerning MENC and ISME primarily relate to Lawler's affiliation with UNESCO.

Biography: Vanett Lawler was an active promoter of music education throughout the world. The Music Educators National Conference (MENC), United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its affiliates, and the U.S. Department of State benefitted from her interest in education, especially her devotion to expanding the accessibility of music education. She studied music at Rockford College and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business/Economics from the University of Wisconsin. This background and her employment in the banking and publishing professions provided much experience which Lawler utilized by implementing efficient financial and administrative procedures in several of the organizations with which she was affiliated. These procedures and her dedication to the promotion of music education contributed to the continuance of several music programs during critical periods for the arts.

She was most involved with the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), working as Associate Executive Secretary (1930-55) and as Executive Secretary (1955-68). Owing to her interest in promoting communication among music educators, Lawler also was managing editor for the Music Educators Journal. Her other MENC activities included being a member of the American Unity Through Music Committee, representing MENC at the Music Division of the Pan-American Union, and encouraging MENC support for a UNESCO-sponsored International Music Education Organization, contributing to the formation of the International Society for Music Education (ISME).

As Acting Director of the Arts and Letters Section of UNESCO, Vanett Lawler participated in the preparation of a detailed plan for "The Role of Arts in General Education," which was presented at the 1947 UNESCO Conference in Mexico. In 1950, UNESCO established the International Music Council (IMC) and Lawler was chosen as one of three experts to draft a plan of procedure for a conference on the problems of musical education, teaching, and culture as a part of general education. Consequently, she became a member of the Preparatory Commission for the First International Conference on Music Education (1953), "The Role and Place of Music in the Education of Youth and Adults." This conference, at which Vanett Lawler presented "Trends in Music Education," established the International Society for Music Education (ISME).

Having fostered interest for international music education within MENC and UNESCO, Vanett Lawler was a prime candidate for offices during ISME's initial stages. A member of the first Board of Directors, she also served as Secretary General from 1953 to 1955 and as Treasurer from 1955-70. Lawler presented "Trends in Music Education in the United States" at the 1958 Conference in Copenhagen, "Creativity in Music Education" at the 1963 Conference in Tokyo, and directed the 1966 Conference at Interlochen, Michigan. By facilitating worldwide interaction among music educators, she contributed to a more extensive appreciation for the many different musical styles existing throughout the world.

Lawler also generated cross-cultural understanding through her involvement with the Pan-American Union, predecessor to the Organization of American States (OAS). Initially a Representative for MENC at the Music Division of the Pan-American Union, Lawler was later enlisted as Music Education Consultant. In that capacity, she completed a lengthy Central and South American assignment which entailed the investigation of Music Education programs in over 500 schools and the publication of Music Education in 14 Republics(1944). In subsequent years, her work included Latin American interests, about which she gave talks at congresses and at meetings of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO.

Respected as a diplomat, Lawler was chosen to participate in an Arts Mission to the Soviet Union (1960) sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. At that time, the Soviet Union had few ties to the Western world, making this trip an enormous step toward increased communication and understanding between two of the world's super powers. Her report, published by MENC, is titled "The Arts in the Educational Program in the Soviet Union."

Vanett Lawler's life and career clearly increased the accessibility to and understanding of music, thus increasing the value of music education.

Series Arrangement:

Series I: International Organizations
Series II: General Education
Series III: Music Education
Series IV: Personal Files
Series V: Photograph Files
Series VI: Music Files
Series VII: Miscellaneous

Series Description:

Series I: International Organizations

Series I covers Lawler's activities with Organizations centering on international cooperation, UNESCO and the Organization of American States (OAS). Although these organizations are not singularly focussed on musical issues, they promote musical understanding through some of their activities. Items are separated according to the Organization to which they pertain and include correspondence, reports, newsletters, minutes, conference materials, and publications spanning the years 1945-1969. This series is located in Boxes 1-4.

Series II: General Education

Series II materials pertain to events focused on education throughout the world and include conference publications and programs. Items span 1958-1968 and are located in Box 5.

Series III: Music Education

Series III encompasses Music Education materials which are divided into General Materials, United States, and International subseries. MENC, ISME, and other Organizations and Programs are covered by this series. Materials include publications, reports, papers, and sample textbooks spanning 1951-1972. Series III is located in Boxes 5-7.

Series IV: Personal Files

Series IV comprises gifts, awards, and handwritten/inscribed items of a personal nature. These six folders are located in Box 7.

Series V: Photograph Files

Series V consists of a scrapbook and one extraneous photograph of Liszt. The scrapbook has been archivally prepared to diminish deterioration of the original photos and captions, but arranged according to the original layout, as can be seen in photocopies. Folders contain the front and back of one leaf of the scrapbook and inlaid photos are located in folders placed according to their original placement in the scrapbook. The Liszt photograph is located in Box 7 and the scrapbook comprises Boxes 8 and 9.

Series VI: Music Files

Series VI consists of Vanett Lawler's Music Collection and related items which are divided into subseries according to instrumentation or content. Items are located in Boxes 10-14.

Series VII: Miscellaneous

Series VII accommodates items which have minimal significance to the major emphases of Vanett Lawler's life, which are covered in previous series. This series is located in Box 14.

Oversize items are located in Box 15.

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.

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