The
Brevard Music Lovers’ Club was organized in November 1922.   The
first meeting, hosted by Mrs. O.L. Erwin, included a discussion of music
history and the election of club officers. 
Miss Ellen Pike was named president, with Miss Elisabeth Godfrey,
vice-president and Mrs. Mary Jane Walker, secretary.

Mary Jane Walker (later McCrary), pictured on the right, with a friend at the Transylvania County court house fountain, was an original member of the Brevard Music Lovers’ Club.

The
group, whose main purpose was the study of classical music by the masters of
the past and present, held monthly meetings at the homes of members.  They also sponsored community music
events.  The first activity was a
community sing-a-long of carols and hymns December 23, 1922 hold on the
courthouse lawn.

In
honor of the first National Music Week, held in 1924, the club presented music
books to Brevard High School and Brevard Institute.  Four years later they organized and sponsored
a Junior Music Lovers’ Club at Brevard High School.

In
addition, they sponsored a Lyceum course held over a several weeks in Brevard
for many years and were the sponsor of local talent on Brevard Night on Asheville
radio station, WWNC in 1928.

Other
projects through the years included presenting special music in the churches
and schools and a donation of records to the elementary school to build music
appreciate and aid students in preparing for the state wide Music Memory
contest. 

In
later years they established a music scholarship fund and sponsored local
students at Brevard Music Camp and Brevard College.

The inspiration
for the Brevard Music Lovers’ Club, which existed for at least 60 years, came
from Mrs. Louise Simons.  Mrs. Simons was
a noted musician and music teacher from New York who lived in Brevard for many
years.  She was an honorary member of the
club.

Photographs
and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina
Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library
hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional
photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at [email protected]
or 828-884-1820.