Music Education
School of Education
Francis Lymer Gratton (1871-1946) became the Inspector of Music at the Training College in Adelaide in 1914. He became the Supervisor of Music in the South Australian Education Department in 1920 and held that position at his retirement in 1936. Gratton early demonstrated considerable musical skills, acquiring Tonic Solfa qualifications and eventually becoming an Associate of the Tonic Sol-fa College, London. Gratton was an advocate for the system, then the mainstay of the South Australian music curriculum. Gratton was also an accomplished musician, tenor and organist, an occasional composer and an inspiring conductor. In this last role he led conducted nearly one hundred “Thousand Voices” concerts and helped train nearly 100,000 South Australian children in singing. Gratton was an impressive product of a music education curriculum that gave scope for his ability to flourish. He developed the system that he found into an impressive maturity in which music was assured of a place in schools. Effectively, he was at the helm of school music in South Australia for thirty years. Beyond the school system he was a busy and appreciated musician, performing and conducting during both his years as Supervisor and his retirement. His efforts and achievements deserve recognition.
Biographical notes by Jane Southcott.
References:
Southcott, J.E., 'Music in State-Supported Schooling in South Australia to1920' (PhD
thesis, Deakin University, 1997).
Southcott, J.E., 'Curriculum Stasis: Frank Gratton in South Australia', Research
Studies in Music Education, no.14 (June 2000), pp.50-60.
