Dr. Gretchen H. Beall

Item

Title
Dr. Gretchen H. Beall
Birth Date
October 16, 1928 ~ Atlanta, Illinois
Death Date
May 15, 2012 ~ Longmont, Colorado
Education
Ph.D. - University of Illinois, 1967
MA - University of Illinois, 1954
BA - University of Iowa, 1950
Teaching History
1970-1989: University of Colorado, Boulder
1960-1970: Eastern Illinois University
1952-1960: Keokuk (Iowa) public schools
1950-1952: Toledo (Iowa) public schools
Area/s of Research
Elementary General Music
Major Publications
"Music as Experience: Structure and Sequence for the Elementary School" (1981), "Learning Sequences and Music Learning" in "The Quarterly Journal of Music Teaching and Learning" (1991), "Methodology and Music in General Education" in "Music Education in the United States" (1984)
Awards & Accomplishments
Chair of Academic Area, University of Colorado-Boulder
Chair of College of Music Faculty Council, University of Colorado-Boulder
President of University Senate, Eastern Illinois University
Dissertation
"Meaningful Reception Learning and Secondary School Music" (1967)
Dissertation Advisor/s
Charles Leonhard
Biographical Text
Taken from the obituary printed in the "Daily Camera"

Born in McLean County, Illinois, Gretchen was the youngest of 6 children. Her father, Howard Hieronymus and mother, Ruth Applegate Hieronymus were musicians as well as enjoying their lives working on the farm. They were active in the community affairs of the closest town, Atlanta. It might be considered unusual that 3 members of the family, Albert, Tom and Gretchen were Emeritus Professors at 3 state universities: University of Iowa, University of Illinois, and University of Colorado. Another brother retired as Lt. Colonel in US Air Force Strategic Air Command. Anne was a high school teacher, and Art continued to work on the family farm. Gretchen attended public schools in McLean and Atlanta, Illinois. She earned the B.A. in Music at the University of Iowa, graduating with high honors. Her master’s degree and doctorate were awarded at the University of Illinois. She taught music in the public schools of Keokuk, Iowa. She then taught at Eastern Illinois University, where she was President of the University Senate. In 1970, she was appointed Associate Professor in the College of Music at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she continued to teach until her retirement as Emeritus Professor in 1989. She continued to teach on a part time basis, as well as supervising doctoral students for several years. During her time at CU, she was chairman of the Academic Area and the College of Music Faculty Council, as well as several all-University committees. Charles and Gretchen were married on November 7, 1976. After Charles’ retirement from the University of Denver in 1982, they moved to Hygiene where they enjoyed gardening and Mike planted a veritable forest. They moved to Longmont in 1992, where Mike became very active in the Library, the Senior Center and other public affairs. He was proud of the many trees he contributed to the city and to the restoration of wetlands in Indiana, his home state. Gretchen joined him in community activities after her retirement – writing reviews of Longmont Symphony concerts for the Longmont Times-Call, teaching and organizing activities at the Senior Center and participating in the community in many ways with the Longmont Council for the Arts. Gretchen enjoyed her friendships with Longmont citizens of several generations, and she appreciated their intelligence, their love and knowledge of the arts and the larger world, and their capacity for enjoying life and contributing to society.