Gehrkens, Karl Wilson, 1882-1975

Prominent music educator. Designed degree program in music education at Oberlin College, Ohio, and served as its head for 35 years.

From the description of Collection of papers relating to Karl Gehrkens, [19--]. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 24944548

Karl Wilson Gehrkens was born on Kelleys Island in Lake Erie, Ohio in 1882. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1905, receiving the A.M. from Oberlin in Psychology in 1912 and the honorary Mus. D. degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and Capital University in 1939. Oberlin College awarded him the Alumni Medal in 1943. From 1907 to 1942, Gehrkens taught public school music at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. He was made full professor in 1917. During his tenure, he developed the curriculum for the country's first undergraduate program in school music. In 1923, Oberlin Conservatory awarded the first Bachelor of School Music degree. A prolific author and generous contributor to the national profession, Karl Gehrkens died at the age of 93 on February 28, 1975.

From the description of Papers, 1900-1975, 1914-1967. (Oberlin College Library). WorldCat record id: 27115995

Karl Wilson Gehrkens was born in Lake Eerie, Ohio on April 19, 1882. From 1900-1905 he studied psychology and education at Oberlin College in addition to organ and theory at the Conservatory of music. In 1905 he received an A.B. degree and in 1912 an A.M. in psychology. He began teaching Public School Music at Oberlin in 1907. By 1917 he was a Professor of School Music, a position which he maintained until his retirement in 1942. While teaching at Oberlin he was responsible for the expansion of the Public School Music program from a six-month curriculum to the now standard four-year Music Education degree. On April 19th, 1952 Oberlin rededicated the Music Education library started by Gerhkens during his tenure as the Karl W. Gehrkens Music Education Library.

Gehrkens was editor of School Music from 1925-34 and in 1930, music editor for the 2nd edition of Websters New International Dictionary of the English Language . He also published many articles and books, including Music Notation and Technology (1914) and Essentials in Conducting (1919).

Contributing to his important role in music education, Gehrkens served as president of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), later known as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), in 1923 and served on the executive committee from 1930-34. In 1934/35 he was also president of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).

Karl Gerhkens was married to Ruth Grey Bedford in 1905 and had two daughters. He retired in 1942, on February 28, 1975 Karl Gehrkens passed away in Bellaire, Michigan. Ruth preceded Karl in death in 1964.

From the guide to the Karl Wilson Gehrkens Collection, 1922-1977, 1952-1965, (Special Collections in Performing Arts)