Music Education at the Eastern Illinois Normal School

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 11:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Musicking Normal Schools: Soundings of Capital, Gender, Race in Past, Current, Futures of Teacher Education

Abstract

Music has been integral to Eastern Illinois University since its founding as Eastern Illinois State Normal School in 1895. Unlike many other normal schools of the era that treated music as extracurricular, Eastern incorporated music into its formal curriculum from the beginning. This commitment, evident in the early hiring of German-born musician Frederich Koch as its first music teacher, positioned the institution as a leader in integrating the arts into teacher education.
Eastern’s location in Charleston, Illinois, was chosen over Mattoon due to practical factors such as a clean water supply and a healthy rural setting. This rural identity shaped its mission: preparing teachers, particularly for rural schools, through affordable tuition, textbook rentals, and hands-on training. Practical courses like “Rural School Teaching and Management” and the use of a one-room model school reflected this commitment.
The school’s philosophy emphasized moral and civic responsibility. Students were expected to attend church services, and the administration encouraged moral development. A landmark women’s building and gymnasium, funded by the Illinois legislature in 1909, further demonstrated these values. Daily chapel exercises, central to campus life, featured both student and faculty musical performances, reinforcing music’s cultural and moral significance.
Frederich Koch, who taught from 1899 to 1921, played a foundational role in developing Eastern’s music program. Although he held no academic degree and never chaired the department, Koch established glee clubs, organized recitals, and composed music, including the university’s school song. His contributions laid the groundwork for music as a curricular staple. In 1935, a formal Department of Music was established under Lloyd Sunderman, and a four-year degree in Music Education followed soon after.
Eastern’s music instruction evolved significantly over the years. Initially centered on vocal training and sight-reading for future classroom teachers, the program expanded to include music theory, harmony, conducting, and music history. A music conservatory course was introduced in 1913–1914, and by 1916, “Public School Music” became a dedicated course. By 1932, a complete degree in music education prepared students to become music supervisors.
Beyond the classroom, music served as a cultural bridge between the school and the broader community. Eastern hosted major performers such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and supported student operettas, glee-club performances, and public recitals. These activities enriched both the campus and local communities. Outreach programs like regional high school festivals and demonstration conferences for rural teachers further demonstrated Eastern’s leadership in music education and community engagement.

Author

• Danelle Larson, Eastern Illinois University