Charles Faulkner Bryan
Encyclopedia
Charles Faulkner Bryan (July 26, 1911 – August 7, 1955) was an American composer, musician, music educator and collector of folk music
.
. He is considered by many to be one of Tennessee's greatest composers and musicians. Bryan served on the faculty of George Peabody College (1947–1952) in Nashville
, and served as president of the Tennessee Folklore Society. Bryan also taught at Tennessee Polytechnic Institute in Cookeville, Tennessee
and the Indian Spring School for Boys in Alabama
. He worked as a director of music and library projects of the Works Projects Administration in their southeastern region, and engaged in folklore studies. He died in 1955 in Pinson, Alabama
.
composer and publisher William Walker
. With George Pullen Jackson
he wrote American Folk Music for High School and other Choral Groups.
Bryan's namesake son served as president and CEO of the Virginia Historical Society
until retiring in November 2008.
In 1977, an historical marker honoring Bryan was erected in front of the Warren County courthouse in McMinnville. It reads, "A native of Warren County, Bryan was a pioneer in the study of American folk music. Through his talented efforts this distinctively American form of musical expression gained worldwide fame and appreciation. He worked closely with the people of the Southern mountains and coves in the study of this music, but his work earned a permanent place of honor and distinction in the highest ranks of academic and scholarly achievement. Presented in his memory by a grateful community."
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
.
Biography
Bryan was born in McMinnville, TennesseeMcMinnville, Tennessee
McMinnville is the largest city in and the county seat of Warren County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 13,605 at the 2010 census...
. He is considered by many to be one of Tennessee's greatest composers and musicians. Bryan served on the faculty of George Peabody College (1947–1952) in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, and served as president of the Tennessee Folklore Society. Bryan also taught at Tennessee Polytechnic Institute in Cookeville, Tennessee
Cookeville, Tennessee
Cookeville is a city in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 23,923 at the 2000 census. of Cookeville's population was 30,435, and the combined total of those living in Cookeville's in 2010 was 65,014. It is the county seat of Putnam County and home to Tennessee...
and the Indian Spring School for Boys in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. He worked as a director of music and library projects of the Works Projects Administration in their southeastern region, and engaged in folklore studies. He died in 1955 in Pinson, Alabama
Pinson, Alabama
Pinson is a city in Birmingham, Alabama, United States northwest from Center Point. At the 2000 census, the population was 5,033.-Geography:This city is located at .According to the U.S...
.
Legacy
According to his biographer, Carolyn Livingston, Bryan was "a pioneer in the study of American folk music" who created in his students "a sense of value for the folk ballads and hymns of Appalachia". He composed the music "Singin' Billy: A Folk Opera" (1952), possibly his best known, with Donald Davidson as author of the text. "Singin' Billy" was the nickname of shape noteShape note
Shape notes are a music notation designed to facilitate congregational and community singing. The notation, introduced in 1801, became a popular teaching device in American singing schools...
composer and publisher William Walker
William Walker (composer)
William Walker was an American Baptist song leader, shape note "singing master", and compiler of four shape note tunebooks, most notable of which was The Southern Harmony.-Life:...
. With George Pullen Jackson
George Pullen Jackson
George Pullen Jackson was an American educator and musicologist.Jackson was a native of Monson, Maine. He was a pioneer in the field of Southern hymnody. Many consider him the "most diligent scholar of fasola singing" in the 20th century and one of the foremost musicologists of American folk songs...
he wrote American Folk Music for High School and other Choral Groups.
Bryan's namesake son served as president and CEO of the Virginia Historical Society
Virginia Historical Society
The Virginia Historical Society , founded in 1831 as the Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a major repository, research, and teaching center for Virginia history...
until retiring in November 2008.
In 1977, an historical marker honoring Bryan was erected in front of the Warren County courthouse in McMinnville. It reads, "A native of Warren County, Bryan was a pioneer in the study of American folk music. Through his talented efforts this distinctively American form of musical expression gained worldwide fame and appreciation. He worked closely with the people of the Southern mountains and coves in the study of this music, but his work earned a permanent place of honor and distinction in the highest ranks of academic and scholarly achievement. Presented in his memory by a grateful community."
External links
- Warren County historical markers - picture of Bryan historical marker on this page