A History of the Journal of Research in Music Education, 1953–1965

Abstract

Early in 1952 Allen P. Britton and Warren S. Freeman submitted an article to the Music Educators Journal proposing the establishment of a research journal. Attention was called to the coming of age of the music education profession. As evident signs of this maturation Britton and Freeman pointed to the development of the MENC with its regional and state affiliates, the extensive literature in music education taking its place beside other professional literature, the high degree of professional training of many music educators, and the continuing growth of doctoral programs in music education. In order that this maturation in music education be expedited, a scholarly journal in music education was recommended-to be founded as soon as possible. The facts underlying the need for such a journal were given as follows: 1. Such research in music education as was then taking place was being reported in a wide variety of journals, such as Education, The Journal of Educational Research, School and Society, The Musical Quarterly, the MEJ, and others. Working music educators could not be expected to keep up their reading of all sources of information. As a result, most reports of research were considered lost insofar as the majority of music educators were concerned. Only at a great expense of time and effort could a scholar of music education keep abreast of all the significant work being done in his field.