Melcher, Robert A.

Robert A. Melcher (1910-1983) was born in Ottumwa, Iowa. He earned his B.M.E. and M.M.E. from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in 1932 and 1940, respectively. Melcher also studied at the Teacher's College, Columbia University, Pius X School of Liturgical Music, Julliard School of Music, and at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecelia. In 1937, he became a professor of Music Theory at Oberlin College's Conservatory of Music where he remained until his retirement in 1976. He taught musical theory, instructional methods, and teaching methodology. His courses included orchestration, conducting and teaching method. He was the co- author of four books: Music for Study (with Howard Murphy, 1960), and Music for Advanced Study (1965), Music for Keyboard Harmony (1966), and Music for Score Reading (1971). The last three books were co-authored with colleague Willard Warch. Melcher was a member and past president of the Oberlin chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, and was also a member of the Ohio Theory and Composition Teachers Association. His main areas of professional interest were music theory and the music of the Roman Catholic Church. He also directed several Cleveland area church choirs.

From the description of Papers, 1932-1976. (Oberlin College Library). WorldCat record id: 29173394

Robert Augustus Melcher was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on March 5, 1910, to John Rudolph Melcher and Catherine Adelaide Melcher. Educated primarily at Oberlin College (B.M.E., 1932, M.M.E., 1940), Melcher also received training at Teachers College, Columbia University, NY (1940), Pius X School of Liturgical Music (1942), Julliard School of Music, NY (1949), and the Conservatorio de Santa Cecilia (1967). In 1932, Melcher began his career teaching piano and violin at the School for Fine Arts in Ottumwa, Iowa. In 1933 he accepted an appointment to teach school music and violin to Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. In 1936, Melcher returned to Oberlin as a graduate assistant, and in 1937, became Professor of Music Theory at the Conservatory. He retired from the teaching faculty in 1976. Melcher was the co-author of four books: "Music for Study" (1960), "Music for Advanced Study (1965), "Music for Keyboard Harmony (n.d.), and "Music for Score Reading" (1971) and was known for his expertise in Gregorian chant and Roman Catholic liturgical music. Melcher also was a columnist for "Etude" magazine, following upon the work of Karl Gehrkens. In 1935, Melcher married Anna Schmidt (O.C. 1932) of Moorestown, N.J., and their marriage produced three daughters. After a lengthy illness, Melcher died on May 11, 1983 in Oberlin, Ohio.

From the description of Papers, 1931-1976, n.d. (Oberlin College Library). WorldCat record id: 34300131