Historical Sketch:

Frances Bohannon Music Club and its Namesake

          The Bohannon Music Club formed in 1924 upon the instigation of Mary Fox and Frances Spain.  Spain requested that the organization be named for Frances Bohannon, beloved and inspirational piano teacher at the Tennessee College for Women since 1908.  The music club began with twelve members, some of which were music lovers rather than practicing musicians.  Spain was elected president; Mrs. Will Bell, vice president; Mrs. David Goldstein, secretary; and Fox, treasurer.  The members met every two weeks.

          With both the Tennessee College for Women and Middle Tennessee State Teachers College in town, Murfreesboro possessed a wide array of talent.  Since constituents consisted of women who were prominent in cultural and musical circles, membership to the Bohannon Club became a coveted honor.  These women desired to promote quality musical endeavors throughout the community.  This goal corresponded well with Miss Frances Bohannon’s own dedication. 

          The Bohannon Club offered studio recitals as well as programs for various local organizations such as the Woman’s Club and for nearby educational institutions.  They gave annual sacred concerts and even offered exchange programs with other local and state clubs.  Programs were varied, ranging anywhere from gypsy, colonial, juvenile, western, and Indian in scope.  The Bohannon Club sponsored numerous out-of-town artists.  One was Dr. Erich Sorantin, conductor of the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra.  Several Bohannon Club members played with this group.  Dr. Sorantin was a concert violinist in Europe, South America, and the United States.

          The Club was federated in 1925 and hosted 500 members of the Tennessee Federation of Music Clubs for a four-day meeting in 1935.  This was under the capable leadership of Ethel Cox.  The Bohannon Club has also sponsored several junior clubs at various times.  In 1934, a junior club was named for Miss E. Mae Saunders, club member and musical leader at Middle Tennessee State Teachers College.  Other junior clubs were the Symphonet Club and the Vivace Club sponsored by Ortrum Gilbert.

The club’s first big undertaking was in 1929 with the presentation of portions of Handel’s The Messiah.  The concert included a large number of voices accompanied by strings, organist, piano, and conductor.  The Bohannon Club combined with the Elizabeth Braswell Stephens and Rutherford Music Clubs in December 1949 to perform the first of a series of full productions of The Messiah.  The Bohannon Club also presented selections of The Messiah and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in 1957 and 1958 as well as The Tenth Messiah in 1960. 

Miss Frances Bohannon passed away on August 10, 1945.  She had headed the music department at TCW for thirty-five years.  She had also taught at the Chicago Musical College during the summer months for several years.  Her life dedication to the promotion of music lives on through the endeavors of the Bohannon Music Club today.

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