HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The following quotations, from the "Proceedings for 1938-1939," document the organization of the Texas Association of Music Schools:

 First Meeting

At the convention of the Texas Music Teacher Association held at Waco, Texas, on June 15, 1938, a group of teachers of music in Texas colleges met in a symposium with Dr. William E. Jones as chairman. After some preliminary remarks by Dr. Jones, he called on Dean Henry E. Meyer, who outlined the need of some form of conference for teachers of music on the college level in order that standards might be set up within the state and maintained with some degree of uniformity, and in order that problems common to members of the profession might be solved cooperatively. A motion by Dr. Lota M. Spell, seconded by Dr. Roxyl Grove, that a permanent section be formed by teachers of music in Texas colleges to function within the Texas Music Teachers' Association, with the object of studying the problems peculiar to this group and furthering its interests, carried. Roll was signed by Dr. William E. Jones, Carl Wiesmann, and Daisy Polk of Texas State College for Women; Dean Henry E. Meyer, Southwestern University; Dr. E. W Doty, University of Texas; Roxy Grove, Robert Hopkins, and Robert Markham, Baylor University; Sister Mary Laurance, Incarnate Word College, Sister Amabilis and Sister M. Elaine, Our Lady of the Lake College; Dr. Walter Gilewicz, Mary Hardin-Baylor College; Lillian Reese, Austin Conservatory of Music, Austin; and Mrs. Lotta M. Spell, Texas School of Fine Arts, Austin.

 Second Meeting

In response to letters dated Nov. 1 and 14,1938, sent out by Dr. Wm. E. Jones, representatives of 25 Texas music schools assembled at the Dallas Athletic Club on November 25, 1939, for the purpose of effecting an organization. After Dr. Jones briefly outlined the objectives of the proposed organization, it was moved by Miss Landrum, seconded by Dr. Bain, that there shall be a Texas association of music schools. After being amended by adding and college departments of music, the motion carried unanimously. A motion by J. Clark Rhodes, seconded by Claude Sammis, that the name of the organization be The Texas Association of Music Schools carried unanimously. The following officers and board members were elected by ballot: President, Dr. Wm. E. Jones; Vice-President, Miss Roxy Grove; Secretary/Treasurer, Mrs. Lotta Spell. Board Members; Dr. E. Wm. Doty, Dr. Paul Van Katwijk, and Miss Jeanette Tillett. NOTE: A short time following the organization of the Association, Dr. Lotta M. Spell resigned as secretary. Dr. Jones appointed Professor H. Grady Harlan ... as successor. He served until his election as president in 1948.

 First Annual Convention

On December 1, 1939, the first annual convention of the Texas Association of Music Schools was held at Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio. "Article II-Object" of The Constitution and By-Laws adopted at that convention states:

"Its object shall be to act as a council in an advisory capacity on music matters as they affect higher education; to cooperate with the Texas Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, Texas State Department of Education, and Texas State Board of Education and in general to increase the usefulness and advance the standards and ideals of schools and departments of music in Texas."

'The following institutions are listed as charter members in the Texas Association of Music Schools for 1939:

Senior Colleges: Baylor University, Waco; College of Arts and Industries, Kingsville; Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene; Incarnate Word College, San Antonio; Mary Hardin-Baylor College, Belton; McMurry College, Abilene; North Texas State Teachers College, Denton; Our Lady of the Lake College, San Antonio; Sam Houston State Teachers College, Huntsville; Southern Methodist University, Dallas; Southwest Texas State Teachers College, San Marcos; Southwestern University, Georgetown; Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College, Nacogodoches; Sul Ross State Teachers College, Alpine; Texas Christian University, Fort Worth; Texas State College for Women, Denton; Texas Technological College, Lubbock; Texas Wesleyan College, Fort Worth; West Texas State Teachers College, Canyon.

Theological Seminary: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth.Junior College; Hardin Junior College, Wichita Falls; Hockaday Institute of Music, Dallas.

Conservatories: Amarillo Musical Arts Conservatory, Amarillo; Fort Worth Conservatory, Fort Worth; Houston Conservatory, Houston; Texas School of Fine Arts, Austin.

Over a period of sixty years, TAMS has evolved into an organization whose general purpose is "to advance the cause of music in higher education generally and to improve the quality and program of the music education system in Texas through the promotion of cooperation among all colleges and universities and through the exercise of educational leadership."




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