Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Music MacWilliam Disbrow (July 24, 1918-), retired college professor, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Mable Edith and Alpha Laren Disbrow. Disbrow attended Davis Technical High School. During his high school years he participated in activities such as choir, orchestra, and the male quartet. He graduated in 1937. Disbrow has one sister, Ilo Disbrow, and one brother, Loren Disbrow. Disbrow is married to Maxine Riegling Disbrow, the daughter of Edith and Floyd Riegling. Disbrow served in the United States Navy from 1940-45 where he was trained in navigation and spent most of his time at sea. While in the navy he was stationed in Iceland, Newfoundland, Panama, Hawaii, Australia, New Guinea, Philippine Islands and Japan. Disbrow was discharged after the end of World War II at the rank of Chief Quartermaster in October 1945. After leaving the navy Disbrow attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (now a part of the University of Cincinnati) where he received his B.M. degree and M.M. degree in music theory and composition in 1949. Disbrow also accumulated 48 semester hours beyond his M.M. degree from Michigan State University (summers 1950,1953), University of Wisconsin (summer 1963), and Eastman School of Music (summers 1963-65, 1968-69). Additionally, Disbrow attended symposia in classical music in Vienna, Austria (summer 1969) and in renaissance music in both Vienna, Austria and Venice, Italy (summer 1972). In 1949 Disbrow organized and taught courses in the first music department of Jackson Junior College in Jackson, Michigan. He also organized a group of private music teachers from the community to contribute to the college music program. In 1951 Disbrow was recalled to active duty by the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was sent to Kodiak, Alaska where he served as chief quartermaster in convoy and routing, admiral's staff. While in Kodiak Disbrow organized a special 100-voice choir to perform a special Christmas program, and arranged the entire score of "South Pacific" for the military band for performances in Kodiak and other cities and posts in Alaska and the Aleutians. Disbrow returned to Jackson Junior College in 1952 where he continued to teach music until 1966. While teaching at Jackson Junior College, Disbrow joined the Jackson Symphony Orchestra where he played viola and violin and served as assistant concertmaster. In 1956 Disbrow organized the Jackson Choral Society, a semi-professional choir, which consisted of 32 members hand picked by Disbrow. Disbrow conducted the Jackson Choral Society until 1966. From 1956-1960 Disbrow served as director and minister of music at the First Methodist Church of Jackson, Michigan. As director and minister of music, Disbrow coordinated all the musical activities of the church and performed all of the necessary administrative work. Disbrow resigned his church position in 1960 to dedicate more of his time to the junior college. In 1961 Disbrow was appointed chairman of the humanities division of Jackson Junior College. In this position he helped coordinate the activities of the foreign language, art, music, speech and English departments. Disbrow came to Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) in 1966 as an assistant professor in the Department of Music. He was promoted to associate professor in 1971 and to professor in 1977. He also served as the coordinator of the music theory program since his arrival in 1966. While teaching at Appalachian State Disbrow played viola with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, University Symphony and Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra. During his tenure at Appalachian State University, Disbrow served as chairman of the Music Library Committee and as a member of the University Committee on Library and Instructional Services. Additionally, Disbrow made many contributions to the Cannon Music Camp which is held during the summers at Appalachian State. Professionally, Disbrow had been associated with the Music Educators Association, American String Teachers Association, American Choral Directors Association, Michigan Music Teachers Association, Michigan Junior College Association, Michigan Education Association, Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Mu Alpha. Disbrow was appointed to the graduate faculty at Appalachian in 1966 in recognition of his contributions to the University and the field of music. Disbrow retired from his position at Appalachian State University in 1984 and was granted emeritus status upon his retirement to honor his contributions to the institution. In his retirement MacWilliam Disbrow sold his house in Boone and moved to Sarasota, Florida. He is involved in the Red Cross volunteer program at the Memorial Hospital in Sarasota. He is presently writing a text on remedial music theory with a review of music theory for beginning graduate students in music. Sources: Appalachian State University files and personal correspondence. - Dr. Richard D. Howe and Miss Lynette Tuttle
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