Broom, John J. W., 1917-2000

Indiana University alumnus who was active in the concert band, orchestra, and taps while a student; served with the Fort Wayne, Ind. Community Schools for 44 years, retiring as music director in 1984.

From the description of John J.W. "Bill" Broom papers, 1937-1941 1938-1940. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 53897887

John Joseph Willard, "Bill," Broom served with the Fort Wayne, Indiana, Community Schools for 44 years, before retiring as music director in 1984. Broom attended Indiana University in the late 1930s, earning his Bachelor of Public School Music in 1939. He then began graduate work in music but joined the armed forces in 1942 before completing the masters program. Between 1942 and 1945 Broom served in the Army Air Force (later Air Force) Band stateside at Gunter Field, near Montgomery, Alabama. Letters from Broom in early 1945 are from various cities in Ohio where he was on tour with "Here's Your Infantry," a show that demonstrated military maneuvers. In the latter part of that year the letters are from Louisville, Kentucky where his band was stationed at Nichols General Hospital. Broom left the service in February 1946. After the war, Broom returned to Indiana University to complete his Masters of Music in 1948. He then returned to Fort Wayne and served in the Fort Wayne Community Schools for until his retirement as music director in 1984. He also conducted various community bands in the Fort Wayne area and was an active member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 58. Broom died in New Haven, Indiana, September 21, 2000.

From the description of Papers, 1940-1957. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 464219479

Broom attended Indiana University in the late 1930s, earning his Bachelor of Public School Music in 1939. He then began graduate work in music but joined the armed forces in 1942 before completing the masters program. Between 1942 and 1945 Broom served in the Army Air Force (later Air Force) Band stateside at Gunter Field, near Montgomery, Alabama. Letters from Broom in early 1945 are from various cities in Ohio where he was on tour with Here's Your Infantry, a show that demonstrated military maneuvers. In the latter part of that year the letters are from Louisville, Kentucky where his band was stationed at Nichols General Hospital. Broom left the service in February 1946.

After the war, Broom returned to Indiana University to complete his Masters of Music in 1948. He then returned to Fort Wayne and served in the Fort Wayne Community Schools for until his retirement as music director in 1984. He also conducted various community bands in the Fort Wayne area and was an active member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 58. Broom died in New Haven, Indiana, September 21, 2000.

From the guide to the Broom mss., 1940-1957, (Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington))

John J. W. “Bill” Broom, left Fort Wayne, Ind. to begin his undergraduate work at Indiana University in the fall of 1937. He was a music major, earning his Bachelor of Public School Music in 1939. He stayed at IU to pursue a graduate degree, but his work at the University was interrupted by his Army service in World War II. He continued work on the degree after the war and earned a Masters of Music in 1948.

A flute and horn player, Broom was active in the concert band, orchestra, chorus, taps, and the Young Men’s Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.). He was also a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an educational association, and Kappa Kappa Psi, a fraternal organization for university and college band members. Additionally, he served as an assistant in the Music Department his senior year.

Broom served with the Fort Wayne Community Schools for 44 years, retiring as music director in 1984. Active in his community, he was a member of the following organizations: the American Legion Post 47 and director of its band, the Fort Wayne Retired Teachers, Mason Lodge 349, Mizpah Shrine Temple and director emeritus of the Shrine Band, New Haven United Methodist Church, Scottish Rite, Foster Park Lions Club, I.O.O.F. Lodge 140, and Musicians Union Local 58.

Broom passed away September 21, 2000.

From the guide to the John J. W. "Bill" Broom papers, 1937-1941, bulk 1938-1940, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)