Hollis E. Dann

MENC President 1919-1920

Born 1863

Died, January 3rd, 1939

Education:

Doctor of Music (Honorary), Alfred University

Work:

Professor of Music, Head of the Department of Music Education, New York University, 1925-1936

Faculty, The American Book Company New School of Methods

Director, Glee Club, Cornell University, Ithaca, (32 years)

Supervisor for public school music, Ithaca

Professor, Cornell University, Ithaca 1904 - 1920

School teacher, Ithaca public schools

State Director of Music, Pennsylvania, 1921 - 1924

Significant Publications:

Dann, Hollis, Hollis Dann Music Course, The American book company, 1912.

Dann, Hollis, “Some Essentials of Choral Singing,” Music Educators National conference Yearbook, (1937): 235

Editor: American Book Company, C.C. Birchard and Company, H.W. Gray Company, Theodore Presser Company

Professional Accomplishments:

Chairman, Music Council of the State of New York, 1910-1921

Chairman, Music Examinations committee for the State Board of Regents

Member, State Music Syllabus committee

Increased number of curricula at New York University

Served on the committee that helped develop a high school music course.

Hollis Dann was a member of the Educational Council established in 1918. The council served as a “bran trust” to respond to requests for information on music education. It gave the organization a means of establishing direction and priorities beyond the interests of the presidents.

The American book company released the first book in the Hollis Dann Music Course in 1912

Dann placed primary importance on the “study of tone and rhythm....[and] musical dictation.”

He was on faculty for the American Book Company New School of Methods under the direction of Thomas Tapper. After the establishment of the educational council he was assigned to the task of making recommendations of a collegiate course of study to prepare supervisors. The acceptance of the report in 1921 was a momentous event in conference history. His work on a music syllabi for the grades and for the high school were prepared through the cooperative work of a committee of Supervisors and the Music Staff of the Department of Public Instruction. His position had far reaching and important effect. Dann was interested in the quality of students in music education programs. His curriculum included increased scope and effectiveness.

Personal Biography:

married, 1890 to Lois Hanford

Four children

Quotes:

“Let us strive for power and skill to discover and develop the God-given musical capacities which our children possess.”

DeJarnette, Reven S. , “Holis Ellsworth Dann, music educator.” Ed. D. diss., New York University (1939): iv

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.

DeJarnette, Reven S. , “Holis Ellsworth Dann, music educator.” Ed. D. diss., New York University, 1939.

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.

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