Birdie Alexander

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(1870-03-24)March 24, 1870
Lincoln County, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedAugust 2, 1960(1960-08-02) (aged 90)
El Paso, Texas, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationWard Seminary
Known forEducator

Biography

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]

Death and legacy

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]

References
  1. Swann, Lelle (9 June 2010). "Alexander, Birdie". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  2. "Miss Alexander Taken by Death". El Paso Herald-Post. 2 August 1960. p. 1. Retrieved 2018-04-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Carroll, Ann (27 February 1970). "New School Gives El Paso, Dallas a Memorial to Birdie Alexander". El Paso Herald-Post. Retrieved 2018-04-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Carroll, Ann (21 June 1957). "Music Teacher Survives TB and a Broken Back". El Paso Herald-Post. Retrieved 2018-04-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Miss Alexander Taken by Death". El Paso Herald-Post. 2 August 1960. p. 2. Retrieved 2018-04-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Miss Goff Elected Scy. Music Ass'n". El Paso Herald. 28 September 1926. Retrieved 2018-04-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Miss Birdie Alexander". El Paso Herald-Post. 3 August 1960. Retrieved 2018-04-04 – via Newspapers.com.
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