Harriet Inez Hair

Harriet Inez Hair passed away peacefully May 5, 2025. She was 89 years old and a 25- year resident of Hilton Head, SC. She is survived by her sister Patricia Hair Shelburne of Hilton Head, SC, two nieces Elizabeth S Fisher (John) of Greensboro, NC and Anne Shelburne Newell (Sandy) of Statesboro, GA. Also, four great nieces and nephews, Meredith Ream (Josh) of Atlanta, GA, Bradley Newell of Statesboro, GA, James Fisher (Heather) of San Carlos, CA and Parker Newell (Olivia) of Tybee Island, GA and a great great nephew JP Ream of Atlanta, GA. She is preceded in death by her parents Dr. and Mrs. Pickney Belton Hair of Spartanburg, SC and her brother-in-law, Robert Tilton Shelburne of Hilton Head, SC. Harriet was a music educator and scholar. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College (BA1957), Harvard Graduate School of Education (MAT 1958), Converse College (MM 1962), and Teachers College, Columbia University (EDD 1971). She studied music theory with Mlle. Nadia Boulanger (1955-56). She taught elementary school music in Waltham and Weston, MA (1958-1961), music education at Converse College (1961- 69) and the University of Georgia (1971-2000). At Georgia, she was a Senior Teaching Fellow (1991-92), General Sandy Beaver Teaching Professor (l988-91), and Chair of Music Education, (1993-2000). Her research focused on children’s responses to music stimuli: verbal/non-verbal, aural/visual modes and is found in national and international journals, and in the chapter, she wrote in Applications of Research in Music Behavior, (edited by Madsen and Prickett (1987). She presented research papers at MENC conferences, six Research Commissions of the International Society for Music Education (1986-2000) and twelve National Symposiums on Research in Music Behavior (1978-2001). Offices which she held in the Music Educators National Conference included: Chair of the Society for Research in Music Education (1994-96), National Chair of the Council of Student Members (1982-84), Member of the Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education, (1990-96), and Editorial Committee of the Journal of Research in Music Education, (1982-88). Her volunteerism and activities along with her academic activities include the Junior League of Spartanburg, SC and Athens, GA. She is a member of the Providence Presbyterian church choir. She is also a member of PEO Chapter V. A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, June 28,2025 at 11:00am at Providence Presbyterian Church. This would have been Harriet's 90th birthday. In lieu of flowers, donations in Harriet's memory may be made to Providence Presbyterian Church.