McIlwraith, Isa.

Arthur Plettner (1904-1999) and Isa McIlwraith (1909-1997) were a married couple who taught at the University of Chattanooga, and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, from the late 1930s until their retirements in the 1970s. Dr. Plettner was born in New York City but was musically trained in Europe, at the Bavarian State Conservatory in Wuerzberg, Germany. He also attended the Julliard Graduate School of Music in New York City, and received his doctorate from the University of Toronto. Prior to coming to Chattanooga, Dr. Plettner worked with the German Theatre and the Ziegfeld shows. In 1937 he came to Chattanooga to teach at the University of Chattanooga, and to conduct the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. He remained as conductor until 1949. After this, he continued to teach at the University of Chattanooga until his retirement in the early 1970s. He published a number of compositions during his career. Isa McIlwraith was the wife of Dr. Plettner (she maintained her maiden name for professional purposes). She came to Chattanooga in the late 1930s, and taught organ at the University of Chattanooga. She was also an organist who performed recitals across the United States. She was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and attended Columbia University and the Julliard Graduate School of Music. Prior to coming to Chattanooga, Ms. Plettner taught at Mt. Holyoke College.