Major Publications
Links
References
Frances Elliott clark received degrees at Tri-State College and the Thomas Training School in 1888. She received an Honorary Doctor of Music from Temple University in 1929.
Clark’s career coincided with the founding of the first normal training school, the first summer school for music teachers, and the first modern school music series. Beginning as an elementary grade teacher, Clark became an advocate for rote singing with beautiful tone and quality literature as influenced by the work of Eleanor Smith. In her high school position, Clark presented innovative ten-minute talks on Music History. As music supervisor, Clark continued her original thinking. She became nationally recognized for students’ singing ability, and was concerned with the development of each individual.
Clark's first experience hearing recorded music gave her a profound vision of the possibilities for recordings. After listening to Evan Williams, Nellie Melba, violinist Kubelik, and contralto Schumann-Heinch "She walked out of that room dazed as with an almost supernatural vision calling for action" (Stoddard, 1968, p. 74). Clark went on to become director of the Education Department for the Victor Talking Machine Company to support her unwavering belief in the importance of music appreciation. Under her direction, the company produced some 500 records for educational use to support the music curriculum.
Clark’s contributions to her profession were monumental. She participated in the original gatherings of music supervisors, and presided over the founding meeting of the Music Supervisors National Conference (MSNC). She was elected the first president and as such played a major part in the conference by-laws. When life membership was instituted, Clark became the first life member. Clark attended the Anglo-American Conference in 1928, and the later Conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, which was the first international event. Clark’s participation in the MSNC (later Music Educators National Conference) earned her the title of ”Mother of the Conference” (Stoddard, 1968, p. 199).
Biography, MENC Historical Research Center
Artists (not necessarily songs) that inspired Clark:
Curriculum
Early Advocacy
1986 MENC Hall of Fame
Clark, F. E. (Ed.). (1913). A New Graded List of Records for Home, Kindergarten, and School. Camden, N.J.: Victor Talking Machine Co.
Clark, F. e. (Ed.). (1923). Music Appreciation with the Victrola for Children. Camden, N.J.: Victor Talking Machine Co.
Stoddard, E. M. (1968). Frances Elliott Clark: Her Life and Contributions to Music Education. (Unpublished Doctoral dissertation, Brigham Young University1968). Dissertation Abstracts Online, 29, no. 09A: 3715.