Erika N.

Hartman
MUE 6080

Historical Timeline of Music Education

Date Person/Organization/Event Description

1746-1827 Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Was the most influential child

educator in this era. Thought that
education aids the advancement of
society.
(Mark, 2002)
Worked to grow students’ natural
talents. Created developmental
pacing for children’s growth in
music. Advocated for learning aural
skills before written skills.
(Hodges, 2017)

1794-1845 William Channing Woodbridge Was one of the primary Americans

to advocate for music to be in public
schools. Gave speeches that
influenced other music educators
such as Mason and Ives. (Mark,
2002)

1802-1864 Elam Ives Jr. Was of the first to use Pestalozzian

principals to teach music in the
United States. (Mark, 2002)

1792-1872 Lowell Mason Was named “the father of singing

among the children”. Implemented
 singing schools in Massachusetts.
Was president of the Handel and
Haydn Society from 1827-1832.
(Mark, 2002)

1833 The Boston Academy of Music Founded by Lowell Mason to bring

vocal music into American schools.
Helped guide teachers in educating
students in how to read music using
syllables. (Mark, 2002)

1943-present Howard Gardner Created the Theory of Multiple

Intelligences that included eight ways
a person can “know”, with musical
intelligence included as one of the
eight ways. (Hodges, 2017)

1936-present Alf Gabrielsson Conducted a study called Strong

Experiences with Music. Compared
the results of the study to Maslow’s
Self-Actualization in the Hierarchy
of Needs. (Hodges, 2017)
1782-1852 Friedrich Frobel Was first to institute Kindergartens.
Promoted singing as well as other
arts at a young age to create a
complete education. (Hodges, 2017)

1820-1903 Herbert Spencer Perceived education as training for

adulthood and thought that it was
important to include the fine arts for
pleasure. (Hodges, 2017)

1844-1924 G. Stanley Hall Considered the “father of child

psychology”. Actively supported the
Child-Study Movement which
influenced music textbooks and
music research. (Hodges, 2017)
1857-1952 Maria Montessori Was an Italian teacher who
encouraged “hands-on” learning.
Music was a large part in her way of
teaching. (Hodges, 2017)

1773-1836 Hans Georg Nägeli Created singing classes in schools to

bring people together and enhance
religion. (Mark, 2002)
 References

Hodges D. A. (2017). A concise survey of music philosophy. Routledge.

Mark, M. L. (2008). A concise history of American music education. Lanham, Md.:

Rowman & Littlefield Education.