The Society for Music Theory just announced that Bruce Benward, the most wealthy music theorist in the United States, died a week ago. I have a great memory of him visiting Eastman while I was a grad student. He and Bob Gauldin started reminiscing about being students at Eastman back in the 40's, and it was amazing how much was the same as my own experiences, even if the names and theories changed. I'll post the eulogy that they sent out:
Dr. Bruce Benward, an eminent pedagogue and influential scholar, died on September 15, 2007 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He served as professor of music theory for 30 years at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Music. Prior to that, he spent two decades as professor of music and chair of the Music Department at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Benward also served as Florida State University’s distinguished visiting professor of music theory in 1992. He earned his master’s degree from Indiana University in 1943 and his Ph.D. from the Eastman School of Music in 1950.
During his career, Benward published several landmark music theory textbooks, including Music in Theory and Practice, Ear Training: A Technique for Listening, Sightsinging Complete, and Practical Beginning Theory: A Fundamentals Worktext. He is credited for being on the forefront of computer-assisted music instruction, having authored or coauthored several pieces of computer software. Throughout his career, he made presentations at conferences and workshops across the country for various professional organizations. In 1995, he founded the Macro Analysis Creative Research Organization, an organization dedicated to music theory pedagogy.
Among his many honors, Benward received the Trochos research grant from the IBM Corporation in 1985 for the development of instructional programs for microcomputers. He was awarded the Joe Wyatt Challenge Award in 1991 and was listed among 100 other technological leaders. At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he was voted as one of the “Top 100 Educators.”
As an examiner for the National Association of Schools of Music, Benward visited more than 50 accredited universities in the United States. He served on the editorial boards for Computers in Music Research, College Music Symposium, Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, and Schirmer Books. Benward also served as president of the National Association of Music Schools of State Universities.
6 comments:
Okay, Scott, you've piqued my curiosity -- did Benward become the wealthiest music theorist because of his bestselling music theory work, or did he have a nice side gig, come from old money, marry a wealthy woman and/or have a sugar daddy, or maybe win the lottery?
If it's the bestselling music theory text, I am so going to get mine -- Topic of Counterpoint -- published ASAP.
Daniel, it is indeed from his textbooks. Music in Theory and Practice is still the most adopted theory text book in the United States, and the sightsinging book (co-authored with Maureen Carr) is widely used.
I love your book title!
Does anyone know anything more about the "National Association of Music Schools of State Universities"? I've never heard of that organization, and I can't find much by googling it either.
I didn't even see that part at the very bottom. It could be a defunct organization. I certainly don't remember it being mentioned at U. of Minnesota, which does have a School of Music, or the various state universities I taught at which had departments of music.
Good Afternoon to you Scott, and to all those individuals who have posted their comments & questions in reply to your notice of Dr. Bruce Benward's recent passing. My name is Whitney Smith, and I am one of Bruce's four granddaughters (he has seven grandchildren in total).
I must candidly admit, it is very nice to see the word being spread around the music theory community about my grandfather's passing, as it is certainly no question the enormous impact he had on the world you all live & surround yourselves with on a daily basis (I can assure you- he had the same enormous impact on his family). What I must also admit is how incredibly shocking it is to see scholars like yourself discussing the monetary situations of your so-called “mentors,” without any substantial or proven reference, at that. Albeit shocking, I’m sure none of you intentionally meant to cause harm with your uneducated references to Dr. Bruce Benward’s wealth, that is most certainly what you have done. I do want you to know his three daughters have read your remarks and find no humor in the verbiage, what so ever.
In my personal opinion, Dr. Bruce Benward will forever be remembered & revered in the musical scholar community for the groundbreaking teaching methods he introduced over the course of his life, as well as his enthusiasm & passion for educating others, but certainly not for the amount of money he accumulated during these numerous years of service & dedication he committed to the aforementioned cause. The original tone & tribute of this entire blog have been tarnished by the mere mention of money. I can safely say Dr. Bruce Benward would full heartedly agree with me.
Dear Ms. Smith,
I'm sorry that you and your family were offended by my post. My intent was not to degrade your grandfather's memory. I used that tiny offhand descriptor because that is how we referred to your grandfather when I was in grad school (both students and faculty). The little moniker expressed both our envy and amazement at his talents in innovating theory pedagogy, first with his text books and then with CAI programs. And I don't think that is anything to be ashamed about. Plus, there is a joke involved, that music theorists are definitely not known for being wealthy. But I understand if you and your family are not in the mood for humor on this subject. I offer my prayers and apologies to you and your family.
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