J. Lilian Vandevere

J. Lillian Vandevere (Jul 1885 – 10 May 1957) was an American author, composer,[1] and music educator.[2] She is best remembered today for her compositions for rhythm band and toy orchestra, and her work on the California State Series textbooks for music education.

Vandevere was born in Canton, Pennsylvania,[3] to Clara H. and George W. Vandevere.[4] She attended the University of Pennsylvania in 1914 and 1915. Vandevere taught kindergarten for 15 years,[5] and became interested in using rhythm bands and toy orchestras to teach music to young children. By 1930, she had started publishing books, articles, and musical compositions.[6]

Vandevere said that when students listen to music, they learn about "the preservation of individuality while contributing to the welfare of the group[7].. . . Let there be a toy orchestra in every kindergarten and primary grade, and let it include each and every child."[6]

Vandevere's writing and musical compositions were published by Allan & Company, Art Publication Society, B. F. Wood Music Company, California State Department of Education, C. C. Birchard and Company, Carl Van Roy, F. A. Owen Publishing Company, G. Schirmer Inc., Oliver Ditson and Company, Rand McNally and Company,  and Theodore Presser Company. They include:[8]

  1. ^ Cohen, Aaron I. (1987). International encyclopedia of women composers (Second edition, revised and enlarged ed.). Books & Music (USA). ISBN 0-9617485-2-4. OCLC 16714846.
  2. ^ Herman, Kali; Tal, Kalí (1984). Women in Particular: An Index to American Women. Oryx Press. ISBN 978-0-89774-088-3.
  3. ^ Stern, Susan (1978). Women composers : a handbook. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-1138-3. OCLC 3844725.
  4. ^ Vandevere, J. Lilian (1885). "ancestry.com". Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
  5. ^ Vandevere, J. Lilian (1958). Sound Sketches with Rhythm Instruments. C. Van Roy Company.
  6. ^ a b Survey and Analysis of Selected Rhythm Band Literature 1928-1932 master's thesis by Rebecca Elizabeth Brown May 2010 University of Tennessee
  7. ^ "Do You Have a Rhythm Band in Your Classroom?". The Vault at Music & Arts. 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  8. ^ "Results for 'J. Lilian Vandevere' [WorldCat.org]". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2021-04-04.