Beal, Elliot Von Joseph
Biographical Note
Elliot Von Joseph Beal was a well-known teacher and organist in New Orleans. Over the span of his career, he taught at various schools in the Orleans Parish School System, traveled and played with the renowned gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and served as the Director of the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD), Director of Music for Austerlitz Baptist Church, Director of the Crescent City Community Chorus as well as the NORD Community Chorus. He married Ida Turner on November 26, 1945 and stayed with her until the time of his death in 1985.
Beal was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 13, 1915, to Elliot and Lillie Nola Johnson Beal. He was enrolled at an early age at a private school operated by a Mrs. Barnes, then later attended the public schools of J.W. Hoffman, Jr. High School McDonogh #35 High School, receiving his high school diploma from the latter in 1932. He attended Xavier University, receiving a degree in Education, and later returning to obtain a degree in Music Education in 1958.
Beal developed a close connection to music at the age of five. He learned the fundamentals of piano from Madame Tempy Smith in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He was also tutored in vocal music by Prof. Valmont Victor, Prof. Osceola Blanchet, and Ruby Mae Townsend. He later continued studying music under Prof. Rogers of Chicago, Illinois. At the age of thirteen, he made his first true debut in the musical community, becoming the organist for the Junior Choir of Austerlitz Baptist Church in uptown New Orleans. He went on to serve as the Director and organist for many church choirs throughout the area on both banks of the Mississippi.
Beal began his career as a teacher at Blessed Sacrament Parochial School in New Orleans, and at schools in Greensburg and New Iberia, Louisiana. He went on to teach at schools in the Orleans Parish school system in 1940, continuing his career there for 37 years. During and after World War II, he also worked as a timekeeper at the New Orleans Port of Embarkation from 1942 to 1946.
After retiring from his teaching position in 1977, he became a Director for the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD). It was during this time that he returned to work with the Austerlitz Baptist Church as their organist and Director of Music, and also became involved with directing the NORD Community Chorus and the Crescent City Community Chorus. He also toured and played with Mahalia Jackson whenever he had the chance, and was known to play for the Gayle Singers and the Gibbs Singers.
Beal retired from his positions at NORD, the Crescent City Community Choir, and the Austerlitz Baptist Church in 1983, although he still remained an active member of the community. He passed away in September, 1985, in New Orleans.