| History of Music Education at Oberlin |
| 1837 |
From 1837 to 1865, a department of music education under the direction of George N. Allen was maintained as part of the college curriculum. Mr. Allen had been a pupil of Lowell Mason, the person who has been called the "father of school music in America." |
| 1865 |
The Oberlin Conservatory of Music was founded in 1865 by John Paul Morgan, a former student of Mendelssohn at the Leipzig Conservatory. Oberlin was the first independent school of music in the United States. |
| 1902 |
The preparation of musicians to teach in the public schools was begun in the United States |
| 1916 |
Dr. Karl W. Gherkens, a nationally-known figure in music education, expanded the department offerings to a two-year course leading to a certification in public school music. |
| 1921 |
Dr. Gherkens established a full four-year course leading to a Bachelor of School Music degree, considered to be the first degree of its kind. |
| 2002 |
Music Education (first course) Centennial Celebration |
| 2002 |
Prelude to Music Education published (Erwin, Edwards, Kerchner, Knight) |
