LFMC

 


Louisiana Federation of Music Clubs


Historical Sketch of

THE LOUISIANA FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS

 

New Orleans had one club federated with the national organization by 1910. By 1919 Louisiana had 5 federated clubs and before state organization, 2 more were added for a total of 7 clubs.

  • 1928- LFMC organized on April 16th, in Baton Rouge, LA. 
  • Mrs. W. Carruth Jones was elected President.

 

First Decade: 1928 - 1938

         2nd president (1932-36) Hullum

         3rd president (1936-38) Brumby

        

  • Scholarships were established
  • Extension was the main priority
  • State Bulletin begun
  • National Banner won by LA
  • 1932 NFMC Fall Board Meeting held in New Orleans
  • Jones elected to membership on NFMC Board

 

Second Decade: 1938 – 1948

        4th president (1938-40) Hullum

        5th president (1940-44) Beene

        6th president (1944-48) Dougherty

 

  • 83 new clubs added to the state roster
  • During the WWII years, LFMC placed over 3,000 instruments on ships, and thousands of sheet music copies and records in army camps.
  • A new phase of “Music in Hospitals” begun. 100s Programs given in Hospitals and Red Cross Centers.
  • Scholarships increased to 8 in 3 colleges
  • State composition contest inaugurated
  • “Rural Music” emphasized by federating rural choruses

 

Third Decade: 1948 -1960

        7th president (1948-52) Kelley

        8th president (1952-56) Vought

        9th President (1956-60) Fain

 

  • Louisiana received Scroll of Merit and Cash Award for extension at the National Biennial held in Dallas, TX Matinee choral group performed.
  • Louisiana was cited for its history updated and published in a special folder. Also given Honorable Mention for outstanding programs in contemporary American Music at Salt Lake City Biennial.
  • During 52-56 administration, LA increased participation in student and young artist programs.  Established scholarship to Transylvania Music Camp. Saw a marked growth in Grass Roots Opera Projects and workshops.
  • 1st Place in the Junior Photo Contest won by Napoleonville Mozart Music Club- entry used on Jr. Keynotes cover.
  • 1st all string and all dance groups in LFMC
  • 1st State Festival of Strings originated
  • 1st monthly Newsletter sent out
  • LA won 1st Place in attendance and Outstanding Achievement in “Crusade for Strings” at the Columbus, OH Biennial in 1957. Growth in Clubs: 26 Sr, 11 Assoc, 17 Student, and 96 Junior.

 

4th Decade: 1960 -1970

        10th president (1960-62) William Gillock of New Orleans

        11th president (1962-64) Moss

        12th president (1964-66) Downs

        13th president (1966-70) Edith Kirkpatrick of Baton Rouge

 

  • LA received an award for the most federated Junior Clubs and Festivals as well as the most Strings Festivals in the nation at the Kansas City Biennial.
  • 13 students received declared winners in the NFMC Essay Contest.
  • Only federated Music Club in the World located in a Leprosarium (in Carville).
  • LA received top award for Publicity in the 1965 Miami Beach Biennial.
  • LA had 2 National winners in the Student Auditions.
  • Jr Extension won top award with 30 new clubs and became 1st in the Nation for Jr Festivals
  • Young Artist presented in concert, Award of Merit for Crusade for Strings
  • April 1967, at the New York Biennial, Baton Rouge Choral Sextette “The Musettes” sang “A Joyful Litany” by Gena Branscombe, composed especially for the national convention. The performance resulted in a WYNC broadcast on September 9, 1967.
  • At the 1968 LFMC Convention in Shreveport, the entire cast of the New York City Opera performed.
  • At the 1969 LFMC convention in New Orleans, Jane and James Bastien presented a workshop, and LA won 22 National Music Week Awards.

 

5th Decade: 1970 – 1982

        14th president (1970-72) Marsh

        15th president (1972-74) Sokolofsky

        16th president (1974-76) Ruth Seale of New Orleans

        17th president (1976-78) Parrott

        18th president (1978-82) Bob Buckner of Shreveport

 

  • 1971 - New Orleans hosted the NFMC Biennial Convention in New Orleans. Honored guest, Mrs. Maurice Honigman and a special presentation of “Music Therapy and its Function to People”.
  • Junior convention incorporated into the state Senior convention, making it a special Junior Day.
  • Folk music was emphasized
  • 1978 – LFMC 50th Anniversary celebrated in Baton Rouge
  • Phoebe Dalton, cellist, of Baton Rouge was winner of the National Stillman Kelly Auditions.

 

6th Decade: 1982-1990

        19th president (1982-86) Stanhope

        20th president (1986-90) James Hudson of Jennings

 

  • Metairie District became the 8th LFMC District
  • New scholarship established by Edith Kilgore Kirkpatrick
  • Life membership increased and 2 new Sr Clubs organized.
  • Stephen Rose of Natchitoches won Stillman Kelly Auditions, LA’s 2nd consecutive winner.
  • 2 new scholarships added: Houssiere Ballet and Past Presidents State College Scholarships.
  • Hubert Ho, pianist of Baton Rouge won 1990 Stillman Kelly Auditions, 3rd consecutive from LA.

 

7th Decade: 1990-2000

        21st president (1990-1992) Kay Hawthorne of Baton Rouge

        22nd president (1992-1994) Pam Gregoire of Donaldsonville

        23rd president (1994-1998) Tommy Rowe

        24th president (1998-2000) Melanie Perez of Metairie

 

  • Revision of LFMC By-Laws, Standing Rules, and Appendix
  • Alliance between NFMC and the National Association of Music Educators begun.
  • New Category of Music in Poetry added and emphasized.
  • Participation on the National level increased.
  • LFMC Website and Brochure were created
  • “Noteworthy News” newsletter started.
  • Inaugural year for the Past President’s Scholarship Awards
  • 41 NFMC Awards of Merit were received.

 

8th Decade: 2000-2012

        25th president (2000-2004) Jeanne Veron of Donaldsonville

        26th president (2004-2006) Dottie Smith of Prairieville

        27th president (2006-2008) Ruth Smith of Monroe

        28th president (2008-2012) Irene Vile of Metairie

 

  • LFMC Records were computerized.
  • LFMC Bylaws were revised
  • Tax-Exempt status was achieved
  • Inauguration of the Charlotte Davis Parrott Religious Education Award and the Virginia Houssiere Ballet Scholarship
  • LFMC hosted 2001 Southeastern Region Brevard Weekend
  • 75th LFMC Anniversary celebrated by a Gala Convention in Natchitoches with Past Presidents as honored guests.
  • 2005 Hurricane Katrina devastated members of the New Orleans and Metairie Music Clubs.
  • 8 LFMC Districts replaced by 5 LFMC Regions.
  • LFMC Website begun containing forms and information for all awards and festival.
  • Matthew Witherow won National Lucile Parrish Ward Award for Veterans.

 

9th Decade: 2012-2020

        29th president (2012-2014) Joy Harvey of Mandeville

        30th president (2014-2016) Ken Nelson of Baton Rouge

        31st president (2016-2020) Gwen Redding of Baton Rouge

 

10th Decade: 2020-

        32nd president (2020-2024) LaDonna Alexander of Thibodeaux

        33rd president (2024-        ) Margarita Harvey of New Orleans