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participant in the organization and served as its president in 1912.

The Following obituary was recorded in the Waterloo Courier on Dec. 1, 1945, and contains a great deal of helpful

biographical information:

Cedar Falls – Prof. Charles A. Fullerton, 84 of 2321 Franklin street, the grand old man of Iowa music who was

associated with the music department of Iowa State Teachers college for 48 years, died at Sartori Memorial hospital at

9:30 a. m. Friday.

He was stricken Sunday, Dec. 2, and removed to the hospital the following Tuesday. Death was caused by

cerebral thrombosis.

He was still active at the time he was stricken and only the previous week had conducted a music institute as part

of his work in the extension department at the college.

Professor Fullerton gained international recognition for this work with music in rural schools. Because many rural

teachers lacked musical talent or training, he felt that pupils in 8,000 Iowa one-room schools were not receiving adequate

musical training.

To correct the situation, Professor Fullerton evolved what became known as the Fullerton choir plan, whereby

specially selected phonograph records were used to teach rural school pupils. As a result they learned by imitating great

artists.

By invitation he had visited every state but three giving demonstrations of his methods. In 1931 he was to attend

the International Music Conference at Luzon, Switzerland, where he demonstrated his choir plan.

Born in New Hampshire

Professor Fullerton was born at Manchester, N. H., Oct. 11, 1861. His parents moved to Iowa when he was

nine years old, settling in the vicinity of Nora Springs. He obtained his early education in Iowa public schools and

attended Iowa State Teachers college, where he received a B. S. degree in music in 1890.

He taught in rural schools and also served as principal of schools at Norway, Parkensburg, and Manson, Ia.,

before he returned to his alma mater to begin his work in the music department in 1897.

He was later awarded an honorary Master’s degree by the Chicago Musical college and also took post-graduate

work at Chicago university and Harvard university.

He married Alma Gray of Postville, Ia., June 23, 1897.

He was given the title of professor emeritus of music by the college in 1934, but continued his work in the

extension department.

Professor Fullerton was the author of a number of textbooks that have been widely used in public schools. They

include "Choir Songs and Practical Instruction in Public School Music," published in 1900; "New Song Book and Music

Reader," published in 1910; "Glee Club Songs," published in 1906; "One Book Course in Elementary Music," published

in 1925; and "New Elementary Music," published in 1936.

Widely Known Educator

Widely known in educational circles, Professor Fullerton had served as chairman of the music section, National

Education association; present of the National Music Supervisor’s conference; chairman of the public school section,

National Association of Music Teachers; president of the Society of Music Teachers of Iowa; and chairman of th music

section, Iowa State Teachers association.

He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha, national music fraternity, and of the First Congregational church, in Cedar

Falls.

Surviving are two sons, Roderick Craig Fullerton, Chicago, Ill., and Capt. Craig Kerr Fullerton, now stationed at

Fr. Jackson, S. C., and a daughter, Margaret Gray Fullerton, Des Moines.

There are also five brothers, Robert, Parkersburg, Ia.,; Henry J. and James E., both of Rockford, Ia., and Peter

G. and Angus M., both of Lawton, Okla.

His wife and one daughter, Ruth, preceded him in death. There are two grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed. The body is at Dahl’s funeral home.

These pictures are courtesy of the Special Collection Achieves at the University of Northern Iowa, Gerald L. Peterson, Librarian.

Fullerton, Charles A. Choice Songs and Practical Instruction in Public School Music. Cedar Falls, IA: Fullerton & Gray,

1900.

________. New Elementary Music: A One Book Course. Chicago: Follett Publishing Company.

________. The New Song Book and Music Reader. Cedar Falls, IA: Fullerton & Gray, 1910.

________. A One Book Course in Elementary Music and Selected Songs for Schools. Revised and Enlarged. Chicago: Follett

Publishing Company, 1933.

Fullerton, Charles A., Margaret Fullerton and Irving Wolfe. Together We Sing. Chicago: Follett Publishing Company, 1950.

Sources

Birge, Edward Bailey. History of Public School Music in the United States. Reston, VA: Music Educators National

Conference, 1928.

The Special Collection Achieves at the University of Northern Iowa, formerly the Iowa State Teacher’s College.

The Waterloo Courier, December 1, 1945, Waterloo, Iowa.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to all who helped find information on Charles Fullerton,

Especially to Gail Briddle and Gerald L. Patterson of the Special Collection Achieves at the University of Northern Iowa.

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