"He Knew That a Valley Was a Culture": W.S. Mason and the Formation of a Musical Community in Charleston, West Virginia, 1906-1956

• Other Authors: Kahre, Sarah E. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Music
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-3372

There are many examples of small communities where members of the population took action to fill a cultural void; one is Charleston, West Virginia. A critical figure in the development of Charleston's active performing community was William Sandheger Mason (1873-1941), founder of the Mason College of Music and Fine Arts. Both through the influence of his school and his own performing and conducting in the 1910s and 1920s, Mason established a taste for European art music in the rapidly growing city. Although most of the organizations he founded failed during the Great Depression, Mason's school continued to influence the area well after his death. Additionally, Mason facilitated the successes of the organizations that serve the area today by establishing a base of both performers and concertgoers. === A Thesis submitted to the College of Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music. === Summer Semester, 2008. === June 27, 2008. === Community Music, American Music, Twentieth Century Music, Music Education === Includes bibliographical references. === Denise Von Glahn, Professor Directing Treatise; Charles E. Brewer, Committee Member; Michael B. Bakan, Committee Member.