Early 20th Century Expansion of Music Education in Schools

At the beginning of the 20th century music educators formed organizations like Music Educators National Conference (MENC, today’s National Association for Music Education) . With the rise of associations in music education, formal standards were devloped. MENC’s Educational Council adopted the first national standards for elementary school music instruction in 1921. These are the forerunners of the 'National Music Education Standards' and 'Opportunity-to-Learn Standards for Music Technology' that MENC has available to educators today.
(Music, 2007)

Instrumental music instruction began with Will Earhart starting a school orchestra in1889 in Indiana, and Albert F. Mitchell teaching strings in Boston in the early 1910s. By 1913 piano classes were being taught in Cincinnati as well as other communities. After WWI school boards employed Army bandsmen to start school band programs. With great touring bands and the growth of the public secondary schools enrollment, instrumental ensembles expanded to greater numbers.
(Abeles, 1995)

Abeles, H. F.; Hoffer, C. R.; Klotman R. H. (1995). Foundations of Music Education.
Belmont, California: Thomson Schirmer.

N.A. (2007). “Music Education in America”. Retrieved online 01/21/2009 from: http://www.amcmusic.com/musicmaking/history/america.htm