Brandenburg, Arthur

Arthur H. Brandenburg, an American music educator and bandleader, was born in Waverly, Iowa on February 21, 1899. He graduated salutatorian of Waverly High School in 1916 and would receive degrees in music and political science from Grinnell College, Iowa in 1920. After a single year as principal of the Donnybrook, North Dakota Consolidated High School, Brandenburg enrolled in Columbia University, where he studied under Daniel Gregory Mason, earning a Master's degree in music in 1923.

Between 1924 and 1960, Brandenburg taught music in the Elizabeth, New Jersey Public Schools. There he organized the city's first high school and junior high school bands. By 1942, Brandenburg would become Director of Music for Elizabeth Public Schools, covering three high schools, four junior high schools and nineteen grade schools. In addition to teaching, Brandenburg worked as a church organist and a summer music instructor at Rutgers University, the Ernest Williams Summer Camp, and New York University, and founded and directed the Elizabeth Recreation Concert Band.

During his career, Brandenburg was an active member of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), joining in 1954 and serving as Vice-President (1956), President (1957), and on the Board of Directors (1956-1961). He received the ASBDA distinguished service award in 1961. Brandenburg was also elected to the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) in 1960, becoming the first director of the ABA Research Center in 1963. Arthur Brandenburg died in Alexandria, VA on August 23, 1986.

From the guide to the Arthur Brandenburg Papers, 1888-1983, 1922-1980, (Special Collections in Performing Arts)