The former conservatory building on campus. (Courtesy Birmingham-Southern College) Those of us from Birmingham, Alabama, understand that no matter how many streets we memorize, new restaurants we discover, or neighborhoods that pop up, the city still surprises us. While researching an article entitled “‘Such a Lovely Gift’: Hugh Martin’s Musical Legacy” published in the Spring 2015 issue of Alabama Heritage magazine, the artistic history of the city caught my eye.
Hugh Martin, the late composer known for his songs incorporated in the musical Meet Me in St. Louis, was a student of the Birmingham Conservatory of Music as a teenager. Since I was unfamiliar with the existence of the conservatory, I decided to research the history of the institute to discover its beginnings and if it was still in existence today.
The Birmingham Conservatory of Music was opened in 1895 by Benjamin Guckenberger, his wife, and a violin instructor. They were, at that time, the only three faculty members. William Gussen was the second owner/director of the conservatory beginning in 1903 until his death in 1920. His wife, Edna Gockel Gussen, was the conservatory's first graduate and went on to compose the music for the Alabama state song. After her husband's death, she took over as director and owner until 1930. She was the original founder's teenage assistant (having trained under him in at the College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio).
The conservatory moved onto campus of Birmingham Southern College in 1940 after being located across from Philips High School downtown on 7th avenue North (and before that it was located on 2nd Avenue North). It fully merged with the school in 1953, becoming the home of the university’s music department.
The conservatory has had some successful students in its history. Hugh Martin was enrolled in the conservatory by his mother in 1919. His specialty was piano, which would lay the foundation for a career as a composer. He would go on to work on Broadway and in Hollywood for some of the early 1900s most impressive musical minds.
The conservatory not only taught famous musicians but also other successful individuals as well. Condolezza Rice, the former US Secretary of State, also attended the conservatory in her teenage years while her family lived in Birmingham. She took piano lessons.
Today, the Conservatory of Music at Birmingham Southern still offers private instruction for voice and instruments to students of all ages. Currently, the program boasts over twenty faculty members and over three hundred students. The Birmingham Southern website has information on how to apply for classes at the conservatory.
The Birmingham Conservatory of Music was opened in 1895 by Benjamin Guckenberger, his wife, and a violin instructor. They were, at that time, the only three faculty members. William Gussen was the second owner/director of the conservatory beginning in 1903 until his death in 1920. His wife, Edna Gockel Gussen, was the conservatory's first graduate and went on to compose the music for the Alabama state song. After her husband's death, she took over as director and owner until 1930. She was the original founder's teenage assistant (having trained under him in at the College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio).
The conservatory moved onto campus of Birmingham Southern College in 1940 after being located across from Philips High School downtown on 7th avenue North (and before that it was located on 2nd Avenue North). It fully merged with the school in 1953, becoming the home of the university’s music department.
The conservatory has had some successful students in its history. Hugh Martin was enrolled in the conservatory by his mother in 1919. His specialty was piano, which would lay the foundation for a career as a composer. He would go on to work on Broadway and in Hollywood for some of the early 1900s most impressive musical minds.
The conservatory not only taught famous musicians but also other successful individuals as well. Condolezza Rice, the former US Secretary of State, also attended the conservatory in her teenage years while her family lived in Birmingham. She took piano lessons.
Today, the Conservatory of Music at Birmingham Southern still offers private instruction for voice and instruments to students of all ages. Currently, the program boasts over twenty faculty members and over three hundred students. The Birmingham Southern website has information on how to apply for classes at the conservatory.
Jamie BowmanBirmingham, Alabama
Jamie Bowman is an English major at the University of Alabama with two minors, creative writing and religious studies. She is the current president of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society and editor of Dewpoint, the society’s literary magazine. This fall, she will attend Durham University, in England, to earn a Master’s of English literary studies. Jamie enjoys reading, watching BBC television shows, and spending time with friends.
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