Arthur W. Mason

MENC President 1914-1915

Born November 19, 1866, New Lexington, Ohio

Died September 23, 1955, Waynesville, North Carolina

Education:

Piano Study

Work:

Telegraph Operator

Traveling musician, 1881-1890

Director of Music/Organist, Tabernacle Christian Church, Columbus, Indiana, 1891-1912

Supervisor of music, Columbus Public Schools, Columbus, Indiana

Associate Director, Louisville Conservatory of Music, Louisville, Kentucky, 1920-1926

Director, Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1926-1932

Choir director, Third Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1932-1941

Director of Chanters, Murat Shrine Temple, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1926-1940

Professional Accomplishments:

President, Indiana Music Teachers Association, 1906

Founding member, Music Supervisors National Conference, 1907

President, Kentucky Music Teachers Association

Arthur Mason was a self-taught pianist until he began traveling as a musician and studying with various teachers in locations where he worked. His road jobs included working with a family of bell ringers, a theater troupe, and several bands. Although journeying mostly in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, he traveled across most of the United States during his three years with a group called the Lizzie Evers Company. In 1891, he accepted a church position in Columbus, Indiana and began a series of music teaching jobs in public schools and conservatories. He was involved in local and statewide music teacher’s organizations and he became a charter member in the Music Supervisors National Conference.

Personal Biography:

Married Minnie Reeves on April 27, 1892 in Columbus, Indiana

Children: Wilfred R. Mason, Mrs. Ross Caldwell

Quotes:

“Educators everywhere are realizing as never before, the value of music in the life of the community and are desirous of placing it where it, of right, belongs in the educational scheme.”

“The senses of rhythm and tone which are a part of the equipment of every individual are the sense upon which music is built, and the development of these often neglected senses should claim our best efforts, and when they are once awakened they should be kept thoroughly alive through the entire school life and should be constantly stimulated by hearing the best there is in musical literature.”

Arthur W. Mason, “Response by Mr. Arthur W. Mason, President.” Journal of

Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Music Supervisors National

Conference, Pittsburgh, PA. 22-26 March 1915, 21, 22.

Sources Used:

Gonzalez, G.M. “Arthur Mason Biography,” MENC Founders of 1907. Available from

http://www.public.asu.edu/~aajth/history/mason~a/mason.html; Internet.

Journal of Proceedings of the Third Annual Meeting of the Music Supervisors National

Conference, Cincinnati, OH. 3-6 May 1910.

Mason, Arthur W. “Response by Mr. Arthur W. Mason, President.” Journal of

Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Music Supervisors National

Conference, Pittsburgh, PA. 22-26 March 1915.