John W. Beattie

MENC President 1920-1921

Born November 26, 1885 Norwalk, Ohio.

Died November 23, 1962, Evanston, Illinois

Education:

Master of Arts, educational administration, Columbia University teachers College, 1923

B.A., History, Denison University, Granville, Ohio, 1907

Summer session in music pedagogy , Ginn and Company, Xenia, Ohio, 1907

music instruction from Norwal Public Schools supervisor of music George W. Barnes.

Work:

Director, Music Placement Bureau, Evanston, Illinois, 1925-1951

Dean of the School of Music, Northwestern University School of Music, Evanston, Illinois

Department Head, Northwestern University School of Music, Evanston, Illinois

Supervisor of music, Evanston elementary School district, Evanston, Illinois

Public School Music Teacher, Xenia, Ohio

Organized both girls’ and boys’ glee clubs

Xenia Public Schools supervisor of music, 1910-1911

Director of operettas, cantatas, and theatre

Developed music festivals

Central High School Football Coach

Active in Church Music Programs

Supervisor of Music, Grand Rapids, 1911-1924

Song leader, entertainment promoter, and regional entertainment director, American Expeditionary Forces-Young Mens Christian Association in France

Michigan state director of music

Assistant superintendent of schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools

Significant Publications:

Beattie, John W., “Information Reading on Music for Teachers,” Michigan Education Journal, (January 1925): 305

Beattie, John W., “Recommended List of Music materials for Public Performance,” Michigan Education Journal, April (1925): 488

Beattie, John W., “Theory and Practice,” Music Educators Journal (September, 1938): 22

Beattie, John W., “Today and Tomorrow,” Music Educators Journal (September, 1938): 22

Composed over 400 children’s songs, edited four song collections for Hall and McCreary Company of Chicago

Published myriad articles in professional journals

Professional Accomplishments:

Dean, Northwestern University

President, Music Supervisors National Conference, 1920-1921

President, senior class, Denison University

Member, Phi Gamma Delta

Chairman, Y.M.C.A. “Fall Campaign”

Manager, Denison University Varsity Football Team

Personal Biography:

John Walter Beattie was one of five children, three boys and two girls.

Married Maude Bayes Thayer, December 29, 1914

Maude Bayes Thayer died in 1950 from heart disease and arteriosclerosis.

Beattie remarried former student Clara K Blondoit, 1952

Beattie had no children in either marriage

Left all interests, copyrights, and future royalties to Denison University, and the residue to Northwestern.

He and his wife’s ashes were buried on the Northwestern University campus.

Music was part of John W. Beattie’s life since he was a child. His family always had a piano in the house and singing was a regular part of their leisure time. He was an active member of the Baptist Church and attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio. He was an active leader in College as he performed in the Glee Club and played second cornet in the Denison University Band. Although he was a history major, he took his first job as a music teacher in 1907. His ability to work with the Central High School football team was greatly responsible of this success in getting the high school boys to participate in school music. Beattie believed that children in the grades should have the opportunity to study instrumental music. He implemented after school violin classes. By 1917, free instruction, beginning in the fifth grade, was offered on any band or orchestral instrument in his school district. Many of Beattie’s activities extended beyond the school into the musical life of the community. He was active with music memory contests and the Grand Rapids Orchestral Association. While working at Northwestern, he was active in the placement of teachers, serving as director of the Music Placement Bureau from 1925 - 1951. Beattie was know for his outstanding ability in business management and his work ethic. John Beattie was instrumental in developing a four year teacher training program for music. He was considered the dean of college music education. His success was due to factor such as: integrity, personal drive, work ethic, business ability, and pragmatic approach to music education.

Quotes:

“The surest certainty of success in the tomorrow lies in the sometimes unromantic but always necessary activity of today.”

Edwards, Larry Wayne, “John Walter Beattie, 1885-1962 [microfilm]: pragmatic music educator.” Ph.D. diss., University of Michigan (1971): 183

“There is a job to be done by us all, not in some roseate-hued dream world, but here and now. The better we do that work, the more certain we may be of the future. What we shall be able to accomplish in years to come depends upon the success with which we cope with the problems of today.”

Edwards, Larry Wayne, “John Walter Beattie, 1885-1962 [microfilm]: pragmatic music educator.” Ph.D. diss., University of Michigan (1971): 183

Sources Used:

Birge, Edward B. History of Public School Music in the United States, new and expanded

ed. Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 1966.

Keene, James A. A History of Music Education in the United States. Hanover, NH:

University Press of New England, 1982.

Mark, Michael L., and Charles L. Gary. A History of American Music Education, 2d

ed. Reston, VA: MENC-The National Association for Music Education, 1999.

Edwards, Larry Wayne, “John Walter Beattie, 1885-1962 [microfilm]: pragmatic music educator.” Ph.D. diss., University of Michigan, 1971.

For more information, consult the following source:

Arneson, Jon. The Music Educators Journal Cumulative Index 1914-1987. Stevens Point,

WI: Index House, 1987.

Journal of Proceedings/Yearbooks, Music Supervisors’ National Conference, 1910-1940

Papers and Proceedings, Music Teachers National Association, 1908-1940.

School Music Monthly, 1907-1932. Arneson, Jon. The Music Educators Journal Cumulative Index 1914-1987. Stevens Point,WI: Index House, 1987.

Submitted by Rob Hunter, November 2002