Elsie Landon Buck, IAMA’s president since 1992, began her music teaching career with the giving of piano lessons at age 17. A native of Brazil, she started study on piano with her mother at age six. Other teachers would include her aunt, Corina Salse, Francisco Mignone, and noted Brazilian composers, Camargo Guarnieri and Frutoso Vianna.

Buck completed a B.A. degree in music at Emmanuel Missionary College, now Andrews University, in 1943, returning to the campus for graduate study and completion of an M.Mus.Ed. in 1964. Additional study was taken at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and AU. She was chosen as AU Alumna of the Year in 1973 and awarded an honorary doctorate by AU in 1991.

Prior to her retirement as an elementary teacher in the St. Joseph Public Schools in 1984, where she taught for twenty years, Buck also worked at Cedar Lake Academy, Vincent Hill School in India, and Greater Miami Academy. She also served as an adjunct professor of music at AU.

A frequent adjudicator for the National Guild of Piano Teachers (NGPT), she served as chairman of its Southwest Michigan Chapter for eight years. She has been an active member in other music associations, including Music Educators National Conference and The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada. She is a charter member of IAMA.

Professional honors include membership in the NGPT Hall of Fame, recognition in 1988 from MENC for her Contributions to School music Programs, and recognition in 1990 for her music achievements and contributions from the Michigan Music Teachers Association. She was nominated for membership in Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in 2000.

A solo performer in a variety of settings over many years, she also worked with Blythe Owen in presenting numerous duo-piano recitals in the 1970’s and 1980’s. They produced a recording during those years, a second for Buck who had earlier made a solo record.

Highlights from an array of committee involvements over a period of several decades would include fifteen years as a member of the Board of Trustees for AU, chairing the Committee for the restoration of the Sutherland House on the AU campus and chairing the AU Inaugural Committee in 1984. Buck also served as AU Alumni President from 1977-79. These involvements, coupled with numerous others in the community and region, have led to many honors and recognition for unusual accomplishment.

During her presidency of the Berrien Commission on Beautification and Development, Berrien Springs received a National Clean Up Award, presented to her in Washington, DC, in 1971.

ds/2007