National Federation of Music Clubs
The National Federation of Music Clubs was founded in 1898, became an NGO member of the United Nations in 1949, and was chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1982. NFMC is a non-profit philanthropic music organization whose goal is to promote American music, performers, and composers through quality music education and supporting the highest standards of musical creativity and performance. NFMC headquarters are located in Greenwood, Indiana.
NFMC provides opportunities for musical study, performance and appreciation to more than 120,000 senior, student and junior members in 6,500 music-related clubs and organizations nationwide. Members are professional and amateur musicians, vocalists, composers, dancers, performing artists, arts and music educators, music students, generous music patrons and benefactors, and music lovers of all ages.
Dedicated to finding and fostering young musical talent, the NFMC conducts annual Junior Festivals with more than 117,000 participants. NFMC offers more than three quarters of a million dollars in state and national competitions (see competitions), including four $20,000 biennial Young Artist awards, and the $20,000 Ellis Award for Duo-Pianists. The Young Artist and Ellis Duo Piano awards include two years of performance bookings.
Federation members work to create a dynamic musical and cultural environment in their communities through education and sponsorship of musical events. The Federation champions American music with awards and commissions. Federated States proclaim November American Music Month, in which the annual Parade of American Music focuses on programs of music by American composers. Awards are given annually to recognize educational institutions for their promotion and presentation of American music.
Other areas of Federation interest include:
Sponsoring of National Music Week, the first week of May each year Support for legislation on bills affecting the welfare of musicians, music education and development of American musical life Recognizes and promotes outstanding American music and composers annually through programs such as American Music Month (November), Parade of American Music and Crusade for Strings Sponsors musical therapy programs in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons Provides opportunities for study and performance to musicians with disabilities and visual impairments Works with affiliated music and arts departments in hundreds of universities and colleges Promotes community awareness, support and involvement in the performing arts including opera, dance and poetry Campaigns for higher standards in church, radio and television music Encourages songs of our heritage through a Together We Sing program Aids and encourages music education in schools, public and private
Leadership
1898 - Mrs. Edwin T. Uhl 1901-1903 - Mrs. Curtis Webster 1903-1905 - Mrs. Winifred B. Collins 1905 - Mrs. Russell Ripley Dorr 1905-1907 - Mrs. Julius Eugene Kinney 1907-1911 - Mrs. Charles B. Kelsey 1911-1915 - Mrs. Julius Eugene Kinney 1915-1919 - Mrs. Albert J. Ochsner 1919-1921 - Mrs. Frank A. Seiberling 1921-1925 - Mrs. John F. Lyons 1925-1929 - Mrs. Edgar Stillman Kelley 1929-1933 - Mrs. Elmer James Ottoway 1933-1937 - Mrs. John Alexander Jardine 1937-1941 - Mrs. Vincent Hilles Ober (Julia Fuqua Ober) 1941-1947 - Mrs. Guy Patterson Gannett 1947-1951 - Mrs. Royden James Keith 1951-1955 - Mrs. Ada Holding Miller 1955-1959 - Mrs. Ronald Arthur Dougan 1959-1963 - Mrs. C. Arthur Bullock 1963-1967 - Mrs. Clifton J. Muir 1967-1971 - Mrs. Maurice Honigman 1971-1975 - Dr. Merle Montgomery 1975-1979 - Mrs. Frank A. Vought 1979-1983 - Mrs. Jack Christopher Ward 1983-1987 - Mrs. Dwight De Losse Smith Robinson 1987-1991 - Mrs. Glenn L. Brown 1991-1995 - Virginia F. Allison (Mrs. D. Clifford) 1995-1999 - Dr. Barbara M. Irish 1999-2003 - Dr. Ouida Keck 2003-2007 - Elizabeth Paris 2007-2011 - Lana M. Bailey 2011-2015 - Carolyn C Nelson 2015-2019 - Michael Edwards
State Organizations
There are 45 State Federations with more than 120,000 Senior, Student/Collegiate, and Junior members in 5,000 federated clubs and organizations. Federated states are divided into five regions: Northeastern, Southeastern, North Central, South Central, and Western.
Conventions/Fall Sessions
NFMC biennial conventions are held in the even years; Conferences are held biennially in the odd years.
Publications
- Music Clubs (magazine), published 3 times a year.
- Junior Keynotes (magazine), published 3 times a year.
Notable Members
- Olivia Dudley Bucknam, first vice-president of the California Federation of Music Clubs and Cadman Creative Club[1]
- Abigail Keasey Frankel, for eight years a member of National Federation of Music Clubs as Librarian, Secretary, and First Vice-President[1]
- Laura E. Frenger, in 1928 elected President of the State Federation of Music Clubs[1]
- Bell T. Ritchie, President of the California Federation of Music Clubs, which Bessie Bartlett Frankel helped to found[1]
External links
References
- 1 2 3 4 Binheim, Max; Elvin, Charles A (1928). Women of the West; a series of biographical sketches of living eminent women in the eleven western states of the United States of America. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.