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American educator and music teacher From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Birdie Alexander (March 24, 1870 – August 2, 1960) was an American educator and music teacher. She was a charter member of the Music Supervisors' National Conference. Alexander is credited with laying the foundations of music education in the Dallas public schools.
Birdie Alexander | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | August 2, 1960 90) El Paso, Texas, U.S. | (aged
Nationality | American |
Known for | Educator |
Alexander was born on March 24, 1870, in Lincoln County, Tennessee.[1] Later, she and her family moved to Texas and she attended school in Forney, Texas and also at Mary Nash College.[1] She returned to Tennessee to study piano and voice at Ward Seminary, graduating in 1891.[1] When she graduated, she and her family moved to Dallas.[2] Alexander became the Dallas Public School's music supervisor and worked there for twelve years during which she established a "first rate system of music education."[2] She organized special concerts for students with conductor Walter Fried.[3] Alexander was a charter member of the Music Supervisors' National Conference, founded in 1907.[2] When officials cut back on music programs, Alexander created her own music textbook, published in 1912, called Songs We Like to Sing.[3] Alexander was also instrumental in bringing a victrola to play music for her students.[3] She was also invited to lecture on music education at the University of Texas.[4]
Alexander moved to El Paso for health reasons in 1913 after contracting tuberculosis.[4] Her brother-in-law, Robert B. Homan, Sr., was a physician and ran a sanatorium in El Paso called Homan's San.[4] Alexander stayed at the sanatorium for four years where she worked in the office and didn't feel that she would be able to go back to teaching music.[4] Eventually, Alexander began to give piano lessons for her niece and word began to spread and soon Alexander had many students.[4] There were times when she had more students than she could teach and in those situations, she would refer them to other teachers.[4]
Alexander was made an honorary life member of the National Music Teachers' Association of Texas in 1941.[5] Formerly, she had served as president of the organization.[6] In addition, she put together the music department for the Texas State Teachers Association.[1]
Alexander died in her home in El Paso on August 2, 1960.[2] She was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso.[7] An elementary school named after Alexander was dedicated in Dallas in March 1970.[3]
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