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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Birchard Coar, born in 1892, received his A.B. degree (1920) from DePauw University, and his M.S. (1928), Mus.D. (1940) and Ph.D. (1952) from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.  After spending nine years with high school music departments in Indiana and Michigan and two years as acting head of the music department at Ball State Teacher's College, Birchard Coar came to Northern Illinois State Teacher's College. During his years at Northern, Coar held the following positions: Director of Band and Orchestra, Assistant Professor in Music, 1932-1942; Associate Professor, Department of Music and Director of Band and Orchestra, 1942-1949; Associate Professor, Department of Music, 1949-1953; Professor, Department of Music, 1953-1960. In 1952, Dr. Coar completed a comprehensive book dealing with the French horn which traced the development of the instrument and discussed methods of giving instruction.  Professor Coar also was a member of the Illinois Education Association and Phi Kappa Lambda honorary society in music.  After 27 years of service to the University, Coar retired in 1960.