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Madi Bacon

Maria “Madi” Helen Bacon (1906-2001) was the founder of the San Francisco Boys Chorus (SFBC). The SFBC was the first boys’ repertory chorus in the nation. Bacon served at the conductor and music director of the group until her retirement in 1972.

Bacon was the daughter of Charles Bacon and Marie Francisca Emile von Rosthorn. She had four older brothers, one of which died in infancy. One of her brothers was ((Ernst Bacon)), a Pulitzer Prize winning composer. Bacon’s mother Marie tutored her at home until she was 11. Bacon then attended the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago.

Bacon graduated high school in 1922 and went on to get an undergraduate degree in romance languages from the University of Chicago. In 1931 she taught music at Glencoe Public School. Never having had any formal classes in music history, she studied music history on her own. To supplement this studying, Bacon created the Elizabethan Madrigal Singers as a way to hear the music she was studying about. She also created the Winnetka Mixed Chorus and the Roosevelt College Chorus during this time.

In 1941 Bacon received her graduate degree from the University of Chicago. She joined the faculty of the Central YMCA College, which later became Roosevelt University. Bacon served many music positions throughout her life. In 1946 she headed the Music Extension Division at the University of California-Berkeley where she expanded the extension program and created a community choir. She firmly believed in creating musical opportunities for the community. Bacon eventually retired from the university to start the San Francisco Boys Chorus.

Bacon was an honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota. She had a life long interest in the outdoors and was a member of the Sierra Club.

She passed away on January 23rd, 2001.