“Don’t Keep It a Secret”: E. Daniel Long and His Career in Music Education

Abstract

Music teachers are central to the effective implementation of the school curriculum; however, researchers know little about their careers in music education. In order to understand the work of music teachers, researchers must document experiences of those educators who may appear ordinary but who led extraordinary lives and careers. The purpose of this study was to create a biographical primary source on E. Daniel Long, one of the esteemed educators in American string music education during the second half of the twentieth century. Long’s memories of his life and teaching position with Ann Arbor Public Schools, alongside additional sources, were used to explore aspects of his career in music education. This article includes additional biographical information not previously documented in past interviews as well as his philosophical beliefs about teaching youth.