Ringing the Changes: General John Eaton and the 1886 Public School Music Survey

Abstract

General John Eaton, commissioner of the United States Bureau of Education from 1870 to 1886, undertook a survey of public school music programs in American city schools in 1885 and published it in 1886, Eaton undertook the survey in response to what he believed to be a great urgency on the part of music teachers to ascertain the state of public school music. The survey instrument asked questions concerning how many hours per week, in what grades, and by whom music was taught. A description of the systems and textbooks used to teach music reading was solicited. Eaton also was interested in knowing of any objections being urged against introducing music into the schools. A total of 343 school districts, encompassing a public school enrollment of 1,209,677 students, responded to the survey. Of those districts, 96 reported no instruction in music, 132 reported that instruction was given by the regular teaching force, 19 reported special teachers for music, and 96 reported employing both regular and special teachers for music instruction. In districts where music was not taught, reasons such as lack of money, public indifference, lack of skill on the part of the teachers, and lack of time were given. The survey concluded with a lengthy list of lay singing societies. The survey, frequently mentioned in convention addresses between 1886 and 1889, was used as evidence that music in the public schools was far from being accepted as part of a basic curriculum. The document provided a rallying point for persons committed to music instruction for every child.