Ralph E. Rush
President of MENC 1952-54
Work: 1934 – Became Cleveland Heights High School band and orchestra leader. Led the orchestra to first division honors in the national high school orchestra contest at Madison, Wisconsin.[1]
Professor of Music Education at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles
Specialty area: Instrumental
music
Publications:
Matesky, Ralph, and Ralph E. Rush. Playing and Teaching
Stringed Instruments.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1963-64.
Rush, Ralph E. “Basic Purposes and Objectives of Music
Education.” Music Educators
Journal. (January 1952): 43-44.
-----. “The Individual Instrument Class.” Music Educators
Journal. (September 1936):
34.
-----. “Music Education in a Democracy: a Message from the President of the
Music Educators National Conference.” Music Educators Journal. (February-
March 1954): 21-24.
-----. “The Nineteen Fifty-Four Convention: Afterglow and
Statistics.” Music Educators
Journal. (November-December 1954): 26-27.
Professional Accomplishments:
1952-54 – President of the MENC
Professor of Music Education at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles
Biography
Ralph E. Rush was President of the MENC from 1952-54. Earlier in his career he became the director of instrumental music at Cleveland Heights High School, where, during his first year there, he led the orchestra to first division honors in the national high school orchestra contest at Madison, Wisconsin. Later he became Professor of Music Education at the University of California in Los Angeles. He wrote several articles for the Music Educators Journal, and co-wrote a book on string teaching with Ralph Matesky.
Quotes:
There is a very
old idea that is deeply rooted in our American heritage which says that nobody
outside of a given group shall dictate to the controlling board or to the
leaders of said group that which shall be the policy, or how that policy shall
be established. Rather, this decision shall come from within by its own
leaders. This freedom has been recognized as an important part of the
traditions of the professions of law, medicine, the ministry, and all healing
arts for many generations. The music teaching profession has held to this idea
from the inception of the Conference in 1907. This is the essence of music
education in a democracy. …
Under current
conditions of world affairs we often hear of education for responsible
leadership in a modern democracy. Just what is required of the music educator
in his education for responsible leadership? The five elements given in most
professional fields will most certainly be required of the music educator. The
ministry, law, medicine, all contend that the following are necessary:
1. Knowledge of
the world of nature and society, particularly and awareness of the great
heritage of the past is important as preparation fro responsible leadership. …
2. Training and proficiency in the various arts
of communication…
3. There must be emphasis in
participation and a willingness to accept our responsibility in the community…
4 There must be
ability in making decision and in utilizing all data toward significant
conclusions. …
5. And there must be an exposure to ideals and real
values.[2]
From “Basic Purposes and
Objectives of Music Education”:
Without stated objectives, coordination and evaluation are
impossible. Music programs have suffered in many schools because of this lack
of orientation. … As a result, putting on musical shows or some type of public
production has been the only criterion utilized in measuring efficiency of the
department.
Well-stated objectives and purposes would do much to bring
balance to such a program…[3]
Sources Used:
Arneson,
Arne Jon. The Music Educators Journal Cumulative Index 1914-1987. Stevens
Point, Wisconsin: Index House, 1987.
Mark,
Michael L., Charles L. Gary. A History of Music Education. Reston, VA:
The
National Association for Music Education, 1999.
Cleveland Heights High School web page. tigor.chuh.cleveland-
heights.k12.oh.us/CHHSCHHS1901-1966/page06.html.
Rush, Ralph E. “Music Education in a Democracy: a Message from the President of the
Music Educators National Conference.” Music Educators Journal. (February-
March 1954): 21-24.
For more information, consult the following sources:
Mark,
Michael L., Charles L. Gary. A History of Music Education. Reston, VA:
The
National Association for Music Education, 1999.
Rush, Ralph E. “Basic Purposes and Objectives of Music
Education.” Music Educators
Journal. (January 1952): 43-44.
-----. “Music Education in a Democracy: a Message from the President of the Music
Educators National Conference.” Music Educators Journal. (February-March
1954): 21-24.
--Submitted by Diana Hollinger,
December 2002