E. L. Coburn (1861-1920) was a long-time music supervisor in St. Louis, Missouri. Some of his earlier career had been spent in Boone, Iowa, but it was in St. Louis that he left his greatest legacy.
Originally hired as supervisor of music in McKinley High School in St. Louis, Coburn was quickly promoted to executive head of the music department. During his administration the number of music supervisors grew from seven to twenty and he added depth to the music curriculum through the introduction of several new courses.
Coburn was also a leader in community music. He started popular annual concerts involving students from the city’s five high schools. As many as 100 students from each school participated in the choruses of these concerts which included the production of operas and oratorios. Coburn also began a spring music festival, sponsored by the City Men’s Club, for a select group of student singers from each high school.
It was during the music festival of April, 1920, that Coburn began complaining of fatigue. He was unable to fulfill his duties during the festival and returned home to rest. He collapsed and was taken to the hospital, but died en route. His funeral was held in Jefferson, Iowa.
Coburn was remembered at the Music Supervisors meeting in 1921, eulogized by many including his friend, C. C. Birchard, who said, “He stood for the best ideas and ideals in musical philosophy and pedagogy…All in all, Coburn was one of the strongest characters in the field of educational music.”
Birge, Edward Bailey. History of Public School Music in the United States. Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 1966.
Music Supervisors Journal, Vol. 7, Number 1.
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This information was compiled by
Jeff Davis
If you have additional information about this member, please submit email to:
jandsdavis@quest.net