Dr. Earl A. Slocum
(1902-1994)

Earl A. Slocum attended a one-room school before his family moved to Albion, Michigan. During his boyhood in Albion, Slocum studied piano, violin, and taught himself to play flute using the Langley Self-Tutor book. Though he became musically proficient, he did not aspire to a career in music education. At that time, bands and orchestras had not yet become recognized as a valued adjunct to education in the public schools. He earned eight athletic letters while in high school, three in baseball, three in football, and two in basketball.

Upon graduation from high school, Slocum had his eyes on a career as an engineer and his freshman year at Albion College was slanted in this direction. The director of the conservatory at Albion convinced Slocum that his future should be in music. He became the first male student to graduate from Albion with a public school music certificate, and his teaching career began while he was still a college student by being asked to direct the local high school band.

Slocum earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Michigan. After several years of professional playing, he joined the Detroit public school system where he introduced instrumental music in the intermediate schools. During the Music Educators National Conference in Detroit in 1925, an educator heard Slocum’s All-City Orchestra, observed two classes in woodwind and brass instruments, and lured him to a teaching position in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he taught music in the public schools for seven years.

In 1933, Slocum became the director of bands and conductor of the symphony orchestra at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. While there, he obtained his master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan in 1936. In 1960, Slocum was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Albion College. He remained at the University of North Carolina until his retirement in 1967.

Slocum was a visiting professor at the Universities of Michigan, Georgia, and Kentucky, and a popular adjudicator at numerous band and orchestra festivals. He also appeared as a flute soloist with many bands, theater, concert and symphony orchestras, and several circus bands. Upon his retirement from the University of North Carolina he joined the Lexington, Kentucky, Philharmonic Orchestra as its principal flutist.

After moving to DeLand, Florida he taught at Stetson University School of Music, served on the board of advisors, and conducted the symphony orchestra for nine years. He was co-organizer and conductor of the DeLand Little Symphony.

In 1942, Slocum was elected to membership in the American Bandmasters Association and served on the board of directors in 1959, 1960, and 1963. In 1962 he was elected president of ABA. For twelve years he was province governor of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia for the Eastern United States. He was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Mu, Sigma Chi, ASCAP, CBDNA (serving as president of the southern division), and MENC. Slocum was an honorary member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, and the North Carolina Band Directors Association honored him for his lifetime contributions to music in the state. Dr. Slocum is listed in Who's Who in America (1947-67), Who's Who in the South, and Who's Who in Music. In 1980, Albion College established an award in his honor, given annually to the student making the most outstanding contribution to the college band. Slocum is probably best known for his transcriptions for concert band, which are played extensively in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Dr. Slocum continued to play his flute until shortly before he died on November 29, 1994 in DeLand, Florida at the age of 92. This talented, inspiring teacher had a profound influence on anyone who came in contact with him, and will long be remembered for his devotion and loyal support of ABA, and as one of the outstanding pioneers in the band field.

Dr. Slocum’s collected photographs, scores, memorabilia, and scrapbooks (1875-1990) are in the ABA Research Center, Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library, University of Maryland.
http://digital.lib.umd.edu/archivesum/actions.DisplayEADDoc.do?source=MdU.ead.scpa.0041.xml&style=ead

Survived by his son, Emery Slocum.

Scott Mitchell wrote:
I remember meeting Dr. Slocum circa 1977, when Mr. Ken Erickson had invited him to direct our MHS (Munising HS) band for the day.
Anne H wrote:
Mr Erickson had him come and teach some of us flute players in the MHS band some 'extra' techniques. He was so cool and so nice. He also had a camp at Powell Lake.
Karen Maxon wrote:
Professor Slocum's cabin was on Powell Lake two doors from ours.

Beverly Mitchell Micallef wrote:
Coy Eklund wrote The Alger Centennial Theme. Dr. Earl Slocum helped with the band that got together for that occasion. I got to play an oboe for the first time in over 25 years! Yikes!! And even a solo in a piece written and directed by Dr. Slocum -- Swedish Lullaby (I think). Boy, did I have to practice! Scared stiff.
Fred Ahlborn wrote:
Bev, Maybe you can see yourself in this video. Dr. Slocum's 1985 Alger County Centennial Band starts playing about 25 minutes into it and continues to the next video on YouTube (1985 ACC 4 of 5).

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