WE HONOR OUR PRESIDENTSNOTES DA CAPO - By Clifford BrownFebruary, 1986
Since this is the 50th year of the WVMEA, it seems appropriate to review the names of those individuals who have served in the leadership position of president since 1936. That is the year the music teachers decided that they could be more effective in promoting and coordinating music education statewide if they had their own organization. The status of this new organization was enhanced when it became the official affiliate of the Music Educators National Conference. Although progress was slow and difficult - as early past-prsidents will attest, the WVMEA now is a strong organization that is recognized for its positive influence on the youth of our state from kindergarten through graduate school. Here is the list of WVMEA presidents: ONE-YEAR TERMS
1937 - Frank Cuthbert, Morgatown 1938 - J. Henry Francis, Charleston 1939 - J. Henry Francis, Charleston 1940 - Christine Johnson, Charleston 1941 - Leonard Withers, Keyser 1942 - Elizabeth Shelton, Bluefield 1943 - Karl V. Brown, Spencer 1944 - Karl V. Brown, Spencer 1945 - (No meeting, no election) 1946 - Karl V. Brown, Spencer 1947 - Claren Peoples, Huntington 1948 - Miriam Gelvin, Huntington 1949 - Esther Cunningham, Parkersburg 1950 - Esther Cunningham, Parkersburg TWO-YEAR TERMS
1953-55 - Clifford Brown, Morgantown 1955-57 - Harold Orendorff, Glenville 1957-59 - Richard Wellock, Fairrnont 1959-61 - Harold Ewing, Charleston 1961-63 - Saul Fisher, Buckhannon 1963-65 - Elinor Copenhaver, Huntington 1965-67 - Edward Wolf, West Liberty 1967-69 - Ronald Wood, Fairmont 1969-71 - Nels Leonard, West liberty 1971-73 - Al Frey, Charleston 1973-75 - Glenn Goodwin, Elkins 1975-77 - Robert Wolff, Huntington 1977-79 - Patrick Fitzgerald, West Liberty 1979-81 - Arlie Turner, Parkersburg 1981-83 - Phyllis Osenton, Logan 1983-85 - Don Hamilton, Bridgeport 1985-87 - Harry Faulk, Fairmont (Note: Since Dr. Brown wrote this article, the following
1989-91 - James Pantle, Shepherdstown 1991-93 - Michael Roberts, Morgantown 1993-95 - David Bess, Morgantown 1995-97 - James Guerriero, West Liberty 1997-99 - Gary Marvel, Hedgesville 1999-01 - Richard Lemke, Huntington The following list includes those individuals who served as "chairman" when music was a section of the State Education Association, now the West Virginia Education Association.
1921 - Agnes C. John, New Curnberland 1922 - Clarence C. Arms, Clarksburg 1923 - J. Henry Francis, Charleston 1924 - Sarah E. Galloway, Clarksburg 1925 - Sarah E. Galloway, Clarksburg 1926 - Clarence C. Arms, Clarksburg 1927 - Clarence C. Arms, Clarksburg 1928 - Marie Boette, Parkersburg 1929 - Karl V. Brown, Terra Alta 1930 - Alta Cherrington, Huntington 1931 - Glenn Sallack, Beckley 1932 - Katherince A. Moore, Bluefield 1933 - Ruby Anderson 1934 - Gem Huffman, Spencer 1935 - Lucy Jackson, Charleston If you know of any errors in the above listings, please send the correction to John L. Puffenbarger, P.O. Box 6, Buckhannon, WV 26201. Does anyone know where Ruby Anderson (1933) lived? Many thanks to past-chairman Marie Boette (1928), former member of the music faculty at West Virginia Wesleyan and currently a Parkersburg organist, for her kind assistance on the 1920-36 list. |