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Special Collections


  • Nathaniel Burt Collection
    • Music manuscripts and books belonged to the Princeton poet, novelist, and composer Nathaniel Burt (1913-2003).
      • Burt, born into a Princeton family of writers, was probably best known for his book The Perennial Philadelphians. Burt taught theory at Westminster Choir College from 1950-51, served on the Board of Trustees, and was a benefactor to Talbott Library. Upon the retirement of President Ray Robinson, Burt created an endowed fund in Robinson’s honor for the purchase of books.
  • Choral Octavo Reference File (CORF)
    • CORF is a growing collection of approximately 80,000 shorter choral works, including anthems, madrigals, motets, part songs, and other choral genres.
      • CORF began with the personal collection of John Finley Williamson, founder of Westminster Choir College. The oldest items are from the late 19th century, and the collection continues to grow as publishers' new issues are added. Cataloging of individual works is in progress; many titles can be searched in the library’s catalog or in Musica.
  • Richard Colwell Collection
    • Assessment materials from the collection of renowned music educator Richard Colwell.
      • Colwell is Professor Emeritus of Music Education at the University of Illinois and the New England Conservatory of Music. He is the founding editor of the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education and the Quarterly Journal of Music Teaching and Learning. He is also a Guggenheim scholar and a member of MENC's (Music Educators National Conference) Hall of Fame. In 2004, Dr. Colwell gave his “Test files,” his life-long collection of tests and measurements in music, to Talbott Library. This collection of assessment materials ranges from the work of Carl Seashore in the 19th century to recent tests found on the internet.
  • Douglas Jensen Organ Recording Collection
    • Douglas Jensen built a substantial collection of LPs, which he gave to Talbott Library in 1994. Many recordings feature notable instruments by renowned organ builders. Indexes sorted by performer and composer are available online and at the reference desk.
  • Warren Martin Compositions
    • Manuscript compositions by Warren Martin (1916-1982), Westminster Choir College class of 1936.
      • Martin was on Westminster's faculty from 1950 until his death. His compositions, in a variety of forms and styles, are part of the fabric of Westminster's musical history. While some of his choral music was published, most of his work remains in manuscript. One of Martin’s most popular works, The True Story of Cinderella, is available for rental in an updated edition. It has been performed throughout the country.
  • Carl F. Mueller Collection
    • Publications by composer, organist, choral conductor, and educator Carl F. Mueller (1892-1982).
      • Mueller was a student of John Finley Williamson and a Fellow of Westminster Choir College. He became a highly successful composer of choral music. This collection contains his copies of his publications, approximately 500 titles.
      • Finding aid
  • John P. Murnion Collection of Compact Discs
    • A diverse collection of approximately 13,000 CDs assembled by John P. Murnion (1936-2005), a successful writer of mystery fiction.
      • Murnion was an ardent audiophile whose knowledge of music was entirely self-taught. In July 2006, Kathleen Murnion donated her late husband’s personal collection of CDs to Talbott Library. The Murnion Collection includes repertoire from the Middle Ages through the late twentieth century, in a wide variety of musical genres. Mrs. Murnion characterized the collection—and honored her husband’s fervent commitment to researching and compiling it—with these words that appear on a commemorative plaque mounted near the collection: “A witness to the power, beauty and rich diversity of music.” Items in the collection can be found in the library catalog, or by clicking here.
  • Robert Shaw Collection of Marked Scores
    • Thirty-three scores marked by Robert Shaw during his workshops at Westminster Choir College.
      • Robert Shaw (1916-1999) directed a two-week choral workshop at Westminster Choir College each year from 1972 through 1985. A major choral work was performed at the end of each week at venues ranging from Mostly Mozart in New York to Princeton University Chapel. Choral singers and directors flocked to these intensely demanding and satisfying choral experiences. To facilitate the most efficient use of rehearsal time, a set of marked scores were put on Reserve in Talbott Library to enable the singers to transfer Shaw's interpretive marks into their scores. This collection includes the most beloved and often-performed major choral works.
      • Inventory of titles in the marked score collection
      • Index of repertoire performed under Robert Shaw
  • Julia A. Perry Collection
    • Contains papers related to Westminster Choir College alumna Julia Amanda Perry (1924-1979) (BM ’47, MM ’48). The collection illustrates her life as a music student, teacher, and composer, and includes photographs, clippings, official documents, notes, and other materials related to her life. Also included are Perry authored plays and spirituals. Additional materials on Julia Perry, including correspondence and additional biographical materials, can be found in her alumni file.
    • Finding aid
    • Digital Collections
  • Leopold Stokowski Scores
    • Scores given to the college by the conductor Leopold Stokowski (1882-1977), who was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Fine Arts by Westminster in 1963.
      • Although Talbott cannot boast of having the Stokowski Collection, which is now at the University of Pennsylvania, we do have a number of his "duplicate scores" which he gave to the library because of his long and fond association with Westminster's choirs. A highlight of the collection is the score for J. S. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, marked up in Stokowski’s hand as part of the process of arranging this organ work for full orchestra.
      • An advanced search in the library catalog with the location “Talbott Library-Stokowski Collection” brings up items from this collection.
  • Tams-Witmark Collection
    • Full scores, vocal scores, and instrumental parts from the music rental library of the Tams-Witmark company.
      • Arthur W. Tams (1848-1927) was a singer, opera manager and collector of music. In the mid-1880s, he began to collect scores and parts for cantatas, oratorios, masses, and some operas. By the 1920s his rental library was one of the largest in the world. In 1925 Tams merged with its rival library built by Isidore Witmark (1871-1941). The resulting rental library remained in business until it was dispersed in 1969. The cantatas and oratorios were given to Westminster Choir College; the remainder of the collection is divided between the University of Wisconsin and the Library of Congress. See the December 1989 Choral Journal for an article by William Osborne listing the works by American composers in Westminster's Tams-Witmark Collection.
      • Full and vocal scores are cataloged; availability of orchestral parts is noted where applicable.
      • Index of instrumental parts.
  • Thomas Tiplady Collection
    • Publications and hymn-related memorabilia including a scrapbook and selected letters of poet and hymn composer Thomas Tiplady (1882-1967).
      • Tiplady was a Methodist minister well known for his work in creating the Lambeth Mission in London. The collection is searchable in the library catalog.
  • D. DeWitt Wasson Research Collection of Organ Music
    • A growing collection of approximately 20,000 organ scores and books given by D. DeWitt Wasson (1921-2009 ), a church musician and recitalist.
      • Wasson wrote for The American Organist for more than thirty years. During his long career, he amassed an enormous collection of organ scores, books, and other music pertaining to his work. In 1995 he gave his collection of scores and hymnals to Talbott Library.
      • A substantial portion is represented in the online catalog. Print finding aids are available at the reference desk.
  • Carl Weinrich Collection
    • Marked scores and recordings of Carl Weinrich (1905-1991), head of Westminster's Organ Department from 1934 to 1940. 
      • A student of Mark Andrews, Abram Chasins, Marcel Dupré, and Lynwood Farnam, Weinrich was known for his involvement in the organ reform movement in America, his recordings of Bach, and his première of Schoenberg's Variations on a Recitative. In addition to his career as a church musician and recitalist, he taught at Columbia University and was Director of Music at Princeton University Chapel from 1943 to 1974. Westminster Choir College awarded Weinrich an honorary Doctor of Music in 1973. His marked scores are of interest for what they reveal about Weinrich as a musician and also the instruments he played on campus and in Princeton. The collection also includes his copies of the recordings he made. See Ray Keck's article, which includes a discography, in The Diapason, February 2000.
  • Walter Williams Collection of Choral and Liturgical Music
    • Books, particularly on liturgical choral music, from the collection of Winfred Douglas (1867-1944) and Walter Williams (fl.1950).
      • Douglas is known for the classic text Church Music in History and Practice, and his work for the Plainsong Society and the music commission of the Episcopal Church. Williams was director of St. Dunstan's College of Sacred Music for which he edited the "St. Dunstan Edition of Sacred Music," a choral series published by E. C. Schirmer. Sorting and cataloging of the collection is in progress.
  • Isobel A. Platings Martin Shaw Collection
    • Isobel A. Platings is the granddaughter of composer Martin Shaw and the Martin Shaw Trust Archivist. Initially Ms. Platings visited the Talbott Library Special Collections to view the Routley Collection as the Routley contained a manuscript of a Martin Shaw biography that was never published. In March of 2015, Ms. Platings gifted Talbott Library materials about Martin Shaw as well as choral and vocal scores of pieces written by Martin Shaw.
    • Finding aid
  • John Plasmati Spirituals Collection
    • This collection consists of sheet music for spirituals published between 1917 and 1926, arranged for chorus and piano by R. Nathanial Dett, Harvey P. Gaul, Charles Fonteyn Manney, and others. Typical of the published spirituals of the era, these have been arranged for solo voice and piano. These sheet music editions have not previously been available digitally. The collection was compiled by John Plasmati, an avid book and manuscript collector who began his career in the Special Collections at The New York Public Library. His estate donated this collection to the Talbott Library in 2014. The collection has been digitized by Talbott Library and is available on Rider University Libaries' Digital Collections page.
    • Finding aid
    • Digital Collections
  • Suzanne Wever Orpheus Collection
    • This collection contains a vast amount of items relating to the music and performances of “Orpheus.” This collection includes notes, sheet music, newspaper clippings, performance programs and music scores all relating to “Orpheus” in numerous musical settings.
    • Finding aid

Alexander McCurdy Collection, ca. 1920s-1980s

Creator: Alexander McCurdy

Title: Alexander McCurdy Collection

Dates: 1920s-1980s

Extent: 1 archival box

Location: Dayton room metal racks above filing cabinets

Abstract: Contains materials pertaining to renowned organist and organ teacher Alexander McCurdy.

Provenance: Donated by William D. Kelley, Jr. 2004

Biographical Note

Alexander McCurdy Jr. was born in Eureka, California in 1905. His mother was a pianist and organist. He studied at the University of California at Berkeley and later became organist at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Oakland, CA where he served until 1921. During the remainder of the 1920s he served as organist in various churches in the San Francisco area.

In 1924 McCurdy came to New York City to study under Lynnwood Farnam. He then served as organist and choirmaster at the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown, NJ and was director of music at the Morristown Preparatory School.

In 1927 McCurdy followed Lynnwood Farnam to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he, along with Carl Weinrich, was a pupil in Farnams’s initial class. That same year, McCurdy began his fourty-four year tenure as organist and conductor at the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia where he met harpist Flora Bruce Greenwood (1908-1998). They married in 1932 and eventually had two children, Alexandra (Xandra) and Alexander III.

In subsequent years, the McCurdys traveled the country performing organ and harp concerts. McCurdy was noted as an interpreter of Bach but his repertoire ranged from pre-Bach composers to more contemporary works. McCurdy soon gained renown as one of the best concert organists of his era. During his illustrious career, he performed with both the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

A year after his 1934 graduation from the Curtis Institute of Music, he became the head of their organ department, a position he held until 1971. He was also head of the organ department at Westminster Choir College from 1940 until 1965 where he was noted for his passion for teaching. Upon his retirement Westminster granted him an honorary doctorate.

In 1971, the McCurdys retired to Maine. Alexander McCurdy died in 1983 at the age of 77.

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence, photographs, programs, clippings and other documentation pertaining to the life and work of organist Alexander McCurdy.

Subject Access Points:

McCurdy, Alexander, 1905-1983
McCurdy, Flora Bruce Greenwood, 1908-1998
Skinner, Ernest M
Organ (Musical instrument)
Clippings
Concert programs
Correspondence
Photographs

Folder Title

Date

Box

Folder

 

 

 

 

Photographs—of Alexander McCurdy and his wife Flora Bruce McCurdy

ca. 1940s-1960s

1

1

Correspondence (Misc.)

1925-1978

1

2

Correspondence E.M. Skinner/Alexander McCurdy

1935-1956

1

3

Correspondence –retirement congratulations to McCurdy, including from Eugene Ormandy, Efrem Zimbalist

1971

1

4

Alexander McCurdy early recital programs

1926-1933

1

5

Newspaper clippings/biographical

1920s-1980s

1

6

Organ specifications

1936-1960s

1

7

Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia/”Fanfare and Alleluia” (by Jackson Hill) sheet music (fragments) for 2 trombones, 1 trumpet

ca. 1976-1979

1

8

Erik Routley Collection, ca. 1930-1990s

Creator: Erik Routley

Title: Erik Routley Collection

Dates: 1930-1990s

Extent: 8 linear feet (15 standard sized and 12 OS (oversized) boxes)

Location: Special Collections shelves behind Circulation Desk

Abstract: Contains documentation pertaining to the life and work of noted English scholar, organist, and minister Erik Routley.

Provenance: Collection donated by Erik Routley. Some additional materials donated by Margaret Routley after Erik’s death and by Nancy Wicklund.

Processing Notes
This collection was initially processed by Nancy Wicklund. A second processing effort rehoused the materials and created the finding aid.

Biographical Note
Erik Routley (1917–1982), a scholar, editor, educator, organist, and minister of the Congregational Church. He was born in Brighton, England and was educated at Oxford University and later became chaplain at Oxford’s Mansfield College. He later served as minister at various locations in Great Britain before he joined the Westminster Choir College faculty in 1975. He served as Professor of Church Music and Director of Chapel until his death. Dr. Routley’s years at Westminster resulted in a variety of creative projects, one of which was the work Christian Hymns, an introduction to their story, 1980. Ecumenical Praise, a supplemental hymnal, was also published during Routley’s time at Westminster. His most significant achievement was his work on the history of church music. The personal library he built to support his scholarship numbers more than 2,000 items and contains comprehensive holdings in English hymnody, including many volumes by Isaac Watts. Of particular interest is the 1719 edition of The Psalms of David inscribed by Watts to Thomas Bradbury. Routley died Oct 7, 1982 in his sleep in Nashville, TN.

Scope and Content
The Routley Papers include manuscripts of the following kinds: musical compositions, lectures, sermons, and books as well as programs, correspondence, and clippings. Together with the book and audio materials that were originally part of this collection, these items offer a glimpse into the creative life of a highly prolific and industrious man working in various settings over many years. A small portion of the collection consists of materials donated to the Talbott Library by Erik’s wife Margaret Routley after his death and by Nancy Wicklund.

The books and hymnals can be searched in the library catalog. Christian Hymns has been digitized and is available for listening through Talbott Library’s Digital Collections: https://cdm15457.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16471coll5/id/44

Subject Access Points
The entries below represent persons, organizations, topics, forms, and occupations documented in this collection.

Routley, Erik
Christian writings
Correspondence
Essays
Hymns
Manuscripts
Sermons

Series List

Series I: Book length manuscripts and monographs
Series II: Lectures, articles, class notes, syllabi, clippings
Series III: Worship
Series IV: Hymnody (general)
Series V: Correspondence
Series VI: Prayers and Sermons
Series VII: Martin Shaw Papers
Series VIII: Music Manuscripts
Series IX: Miscellaneous items and Hymnals after 1982 (Received from Margaret Routley after Erik’s death)
Series X: Correspondence and notes donated by Nancy Wicklund


Folder Title Date Box Folder

Series I: Book length manuscripts and monographs

 

 

 

The Divine Formula

1976

1

1

Christian Hymns Observed (3rd copy)

1980

1

2

Essays on various subjects: Men and Women, Money, Asceticism, Morality, etc.

1960s?

1

3

The Christian Character--essay

No date

1

4

The Puritan Tradition--essay

No date

1

5

The Puritan Tradition--essay (second copy)

No date

1

6

The Puritan Tradition II

No date

1

7

The Puritan Tradition II (second copy)

No date

1

8

Music in Christian Hymnody--Oxford PhD Thesis (2 large bound volumes--thesis and examples)

1951

2

 

Saul Among the Prophets

1958-1965

3

1

English Speaking Hymnal Guide

1975

3

2

The Master at Work : A Study of the six miracle stories in St. John’s Gospel

1978

3

3

The Puritan Way

No date

3

4

Hymns Observed pages 1-399

No date

3

5

Hymns Observed (continued) pages 400-end

No date

3

6

Hymns Observed—music samples

No date

OS 1

1

The music of Christian hymns copy 3 examples volume 1

No date

OS 1

2

The music of Christian hymns copy 3 examples volume 2

No date

OS 1

3

What goes on in church?

No date

OS 1

4

Our Hymn Book : A Description Part 1

No date

OS 1

5

Our Hymn Book : A Description Part 2

No date

OS 1

6

Bachelor of Divinity Thesis “The Theology of Musical Criticism” rough draft

1943

OS 1

7

Series II: Lectures, articles, class notes, syllabi, clippings

 

 

 

Cyprian and the Unity of the Church

No date

4

3

The Theology of Major Choral Works

No date

4

4

Oxford class notes/ essays

1950s

4

5

Papers--various topics

1960-1964

4

6

Papers--various topics

1965-1967

5

1

Papers--various topics

1968-1969

5

2

Papers--various topics

1970-1974

5

3

Papers--various topics

Pre-1975 (date unknown)

5

4

Papers--various topics

1975-1982

6

1

Articles in “Reform”

1975-1979

6

2

Obituaries/ tributes, memorial service, bio, misc. clippings and journal issues

Ca. 1975-1983

6

3

Duty and Delight and Our Lives Be Praise

Ca. 1980s

6

4

Hymns and Hymnology includes dissertation by Mark
A. Dew

Ca. 1970s-1980s

6

5

“Church Music Here and There” various topics

1960s-1970s

6

6

Aesthetics  CM544 (class notes)

No date

6

7

The Poetry of Worship” by E.R.

No date

6

8

Newspaper and magazine articles

1960s

6

9

“What is a good tune” by E.R.

No date

6

10

Britain for Americans

No date

6

11

Bernard Gilpin Series Lecture Notes

No date

OS 2

1

On the Pneumatology of the Puritans

No date

OS 2

2

City of God--Church History Lectures

No date

OS 2

3

Lectures in the First Three Centuries--Introduction

No date

OS 2

4

Clippings

No date

OS3b

 

Series III: Worship

 

 

 

Programs--U.S.

1969-1981

7

1

Programs--U.K.

1950s

7

2

Programs--U.K./Germany (includes London Missionary Society

1960s

7

3

Programs--U.K./Germany

1970s-1981

7

4

Programs--Westminster Abbey--Come and Sing

1970s-1980

7

5

Programs--Bristol Chapel

1975-1980

7

6

Programs--Westminster “Vision of Judgement”

1977

8

1

Programs--Westminster Bristol Chapel

1978-1982

8

2

Worship--Miscellaneous  

No date

8

3

Who’s in town and other scripts

1950s-1970s

8

4

Vision : An Act of Praise

No date

8

5

Holy Week

1967

8

6

Victory of Life

1978

8

7

Newcastle Upon Tyne churches

1970s

8

8

Saint Nicholas Book of Worship

No date

8

9

Series IV: Hymnody (general)

 

 

 

Westminster Praise organ book

1970s

9

1

Westminster Organ book

1970s

9

2

Hymn Festivals

1970s-1980s

9

3

Unidentified notebook

No date

9

4

Out of “Hymnals”

No date

9

5

African Church Music

1960s

9

6

Carols, various hymns (including brass), etc.

No date

9

7

Hymns--Masters

No date

10

1

Hymn copyrights correspondence

1977-1979

10

2

Hymn writes and composers-- biographies

No date

10

3

Hymns in bound book

1976-1982

10

4

Hymn Tunes Book 1

1930-

OS3a large flat box

 

ER Hymns Copyright HOPE and OUP Book 2

1930-

OS3a large flat box

 

Hymn Tunes Hymn texts at the back book 3

1930-

OS3b large flat box

 

Hymn Tunes Hymn texts at the back—Copy book 4

1930-

OS3b large flat box

 

Cantate sampler

No date

OS4

1

Descants

No date

OS4

2

Dictionary of Hymn Writers

No date

OS4

3

Melodies of Christendom/Lutheran Chorales/Joseph Hart

No date

OS4

4

Tine/Tees Television “Gladsome Mind”

No date

OS4

5

Academy Music Folio

No date

OS4

6

Welsh Hymn Tunes and Sacred Melodies

No date

OS4

7

Chapel—Summer Session at Westminster

1982

OS4

8

Orpheus by Walter Spinney

1960-1961

OS4

9

Psalms---New College and Magdalen College

No date

OS4

10

Presbyterian Hymnals/General handwritten Hymn book

No date

OS4

11

Series V: Correspondence

 

 

 

Correspondence--General

1944-1967

10

5

Correspondence--General (some with hymn notation)

1970s-1980s

10

6

Correspondence--Adrienne Tindall

1980s

10

7

Correspondence--Fred Pratt Green- hymn related

1960s-1970s

11

1

Correspondence--Willcocks, David

1954-1970

11

2

Correspondence/documents Coventry/J. Poole

1970s

11

3

Correspondence/documents Ian M. Fraser

1970s

11

4

Australian Hymns--Wesley Milgate

 

11

5

Correspondence/documents pertaining to Congregational Praise

1950s

11

6

John Wilson Correspondence/Music/Documents

1950s-1980s

11

7

Correspondence to George Shorney (Hope Publishing Co.) from others

1982-1989

12

1

Margaret Routley--Shorney Correspondence (after Erik’s death)

1982-1986

12

2

Erik Routley--George Shorney Correspondence

1982

12

3

Erik Routley--George Shorney Correspondence

1979-1981

12

4

Erik Routley--George Shorney Correspondence Church Music and the Christian Faith

1978

12

5

Erik Routley--George Shorney Correspondence

1973-1977

12

6

Joan Lippincott correspondence (not part of original collection--donated by Lippincott in 2017)

1976

12

7

Series VI: Prayers and Sermons

 

 

 

Prayers for various occasions (also dedication service for Lee Hastings Bristol

1970s-1980s

12

8

Prayers from binder

1970s-1980s

12

9

Lectionary A—Luke through John

No date

13

1

Lectionary B

No date

13

2

Lectionary C

No date

13

3

Campus Addresses

No date

13

4

Sermons--Music

No date

13

5

Sermons--Gospels

No date

14

1

Sermons--Job to Ecclesiastes

No date

14

2

Sermons--Genesis to Esther

No date

14

3

Sermons--Acts Epistles

No date

14

4

Sermons--Campus Addresses

No date

14

5

Sermons--Isaiah and Malachi

No date

14

6

Sermons--General

No date

14

7

Series VII: Martin Shaw Papers

 

 

 

Martin Shaw notes and correspondence

No date

15

1

Typed manuscript on Martin Shaw in separate sections

Ca. 1960

15

2

Typed biographical manuscript on Martin Shaw (possibly for his book on Shaw A Centenary Appreciation)

1970s

15

3

Series VIII: Music Manuscripts

 

 

 

Christ in Glory

No date

OS 5

1

Anthems

No date

OS 5

2

International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) canticles

No date

OS 5

3

Vocal manuscripts

No date

OS 5

4

Misc. Music Manuscripts

No date

OS 5

5

Hymns and tunes

No date

OS 5

6

Old manuscript music books (juvenile)

No date

OS 5

7

Communion service music

No date

OS 5

8

Te Deum

No date

OS 5

9

Processional Psalms

No date

OS 5

10

Sarum Plainsong Tones/Psalms

No date

OS 5

11

Series IX: Miscellaneous items and Hymnals after 1982 (Received from Margaret Routley after Erik’s death)

 

 

 

1981 Quadrangle yearbook  with Erik Routley photo and memorial bio/other biographical

1980s

OS 6

1

The True Story of Cinderella by Warren Martin performance in 1978 script and music

1978

OS 6

2

Obituaries/Bios of various people/Ledger Book of expenses

1980s

OS 6

3

Various publications

1950s-1980s

OS 6

4

Clippings/Notes etc. removed from books

No date

OS 6

5

Hymn festivals and events, programs, etc. Rejoice in the Lord Hymnal events

1980s

OS 6

6

International Conference on Hymnody Bethlehem PA

1985

OS 6

7

The Journey with Jonah—a Chancel opera

No date

OS 6

8

Various inventory lists—Routley collection, misc. choral works, anthems modern

No date

OS 7

1

Published hymns/carols arranged by E. Routley

No date

OS 7

2

Routley as college instructor, essay by student, essay written by Routley containing advice to students, course assignment, possibly given by Routley

1950s-1970s

OS 7

3

Misc. scores/psalms (including Martin Shaw “Calderon”

No date

OS 7

4

The Hymn (serial)

1976-1979

OS 7

5

The Hymn (serial)

1980-1982

OS 7

6

Reformed Liturgy and Music

1975-1979

OS 7

7

Reformed Liturgy and Music

1980-1982

OS 7

8

Assorted publications (religious and music related)

1951-1980

OS 8

1

Writings--Puritan Pleasures of the Detective Story, On the making of hymn tunes, etc.

No date

OS 8

2

Scripts for plays—Who’s in town, Vision of judgements, Letter from prison, The fig tree

No date

OS 8

3

Musical notation and programs

Ca. 1960s-1980s

OS 8

4

Erik Routley’s best writings (Margaret Routley’s selections)

Ca. 1960s-1970s

OS 8

5

Correspondence to Margaret Routley

198401985

OS

6

Hope Publishing Co. Correspondence

1982-1987

OS

7

Talbott Library Routley Papers dedication and Westminster Routley tributes, etc.

1980s- 1990s

OS

8

Miscellaneous Music Manuscripts (mainly photocopies)

No date

OS9 small flat box

 

Miscellaneous Piano Manuscripts flat box

No date

OS10 small flat box

 

Miscellaneous Piano Manuscripts (for 2 pianos) flat box

No date

OS11 small flat box

 

Miscellaneous Organ Manuscripts

No date

OS 12 small flat box

 

Series X: Correspondence and notes donated by Nancy Wicklund

 

 

 

Correspondence between Erik Routley and WCC President Ray Robinson regarding Routley’s faculty appointment

1974

15

4

Writings about Erik Routley after his death, by Fred Pratt Green, possibly by Ray Robinson

ca. 1983

15

5

Correspondence between Erik Routley and Rev. Geoffrey Beck

1950s

15

6

Correspondence between Erik Routley and Rev. Geoffrey Beck

1960s

15

7

Correspondence between Erik Routley and Rev. Geoffrey Beck

1970s

15

8

Correspondence between Erik Routley and Rev. Geoffrey Beck

1980s

15

9

Joseph Flummerfelt Collection, 1960s-2011

Creator: Joseph Flummerfelt

Title: Joseph Flummerfelt Collection

Dates: 1960s-2011

Extent: 19 archival boxes and 2 oversized flat boxes

Location: Cabinets in Library Instruction Room

Abstract: Contains programs, brochures, flyers, posters, marked scores, and general papers related to Joseph Flummerfelt during his time as artistic director and principal conductor at Westminster Choir College.

Provenance: Donated by Joseph Flummerfelt, 2010.

Biographical Note

Joseph Flummerfelt was born in Vincennes, Indiana in 1937. He was the son of a piano teacher and learned music from a young age. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in music from DePauw University in 1958. He later earned a Master’s Degree from the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois in 1971.

He served as Director of Choral Activities at his alma mater, DePauw University, from 1964 to 1968 when he moved on to a similar position at Florida State University serving there until 1971. He then accepted a position as Director of Choral Activities (and was later named Artistic Director and Principal Conductor) at Westminster Choir College. Flummerfelt gained widespread renown during his 33 year tenure conducting both the Westminster Choir and the Westminster Symphonic Choir. He was noted in particular for his collaborations with the New York Philharmonic, which received widespread praise. In 1979 he founded the New York Choral Artists and became the musical director of this professional chorus from which he retired in 2016.

For 23 years he was the Maestro del Coro for the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy after receiving a personal invitation from Gian Carlo Menotti. For 37 years he served as Director of Choral Activities for the Spoleto Festival U.S.A. in Charleston, South Carolina, which he helped establish. He served in this pivotal role until 2013.

After retiring from Westminster in 2004, Flummerfelt held several visiting professorships and conducted many performances. He won many honors and awards including the Pegasus d’Oro for his work with the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy and numerous honorary doctoral degrees.

His choirs have been featured in 45 recordings, including a Grammy Award winning CD of the Symphony No. 3 by Gustav Mahler with Leonard Bernstein. In 2004 he was awarded a Grammy for the New York Choral Artists recording of On the Transmigration of Souls and was nominated for numerous other Grammys. He was also the first non-orchestral conductor to be named Musical America's Conductor of the Year. In his later years, he maintained an active schedule traveling and giving masterclasses, and serving as a guest conductor.

Joseph Flummerfelt passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis at the age of 82.

Scope and Content Note

The items in this collection are separated into 7 series and the folder sequence respects the original order of the collection.

All photographs were separated from this collection and placed in the Photograph Collection 13/C/29

All materials pertaining to the (Festival dei Due Mondi) Spoleto Italy and Spoleto U.S.A. Festivals have been separated from this collection and placed in a separate Spoleto Festival Collection.

Subject Access Points

Flummerfelt, Joseph
Westminster Choir
Brochures
Clippings
Correspondence
Programs

Series List

Series I: General Files
Series II: Correspondence
Series III: Events and Projects
Series IV: Newspaper Clippings
Series V: Programs
Series VI: Choral Activities Files
Series VII: Oversized

Folder Title

Date

Box

Folder

Series I: General Files

 

 

 

Alumni Cruise

2004

1

1

Colmar

1995

1

2

Depauw University and Lincoln High School

2002-2005

1

3

Hartford

2001-2002

1

4

Israeli Music

1970s-1990s

1

5

J. Flummerfelt Endowment

2001-2002

1

6

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

1992

1

7

Stephen Paulus

No date

1

8

Petrassi Translation

Ca. 1990s-2000s

1

9

Photocopies of slides and photos

No date

1

10

Pronunciation and Transportation Guides

1980s-1990s

1

11

Romanian Music

1990s

1

12

Shalom Mountain Center

1995

2

1

Speeches

Ca. 2000

2

2

Student Recommendations

1990s-2000s

2

3

Westminster Choir Lists

1970s-2002

2

4

Teldec

1980s-1990s

2

5

Notes from conductors—Macal, Boulez, Kaplan, Lauridsen, Bernstein,

1980s-2000s

2

6

NJSO—New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

1990s

2

7

NY Philharmonic--  Levine, Masur, Mehta, Bernstein, 150th Anniversary

1970s-1990s

2

8

Riccardo Muti

ca. 1990

2

9

Philadelphia Orchestra

1990s

2

10

Juilliard

1990s

3

1

Singing City 50th anniversary

1998

3

2

Westminster Ads and Recruitment

1997-1999

3

3

Christmas at Westminster, Student Programs, Misc. Programs

1985-1996

3

4

Carnegie Christmas

1992-1998

3

5

Richardson Auditorium

1998-1999

3

6

WCC Artist Management—Shirley Kirschbaum & Assoc.

1996

3

7

“Ringers” Bank –lists of names, correspondence

1990s

3

8

Frauke Haaseman

1970s-1980s

3

9

Danny Beckwith, Melanie Jacobsen, Jennifer Larmore, Antoine Palloc, Glenn Parker,

1990s

3

10

Westminster Choir College-- history

No date

3

11

Westminster Choir, Chapel Choir, Oratorio Choir, Westminster Singers—history and info

1980s

3

12

Faculty—Robert Simpson, Dennis Shrock, Allen Crowell

No date

3

13

Ehmann—American Choral Review journals ‘64

1964

4

1

Choral journal articles (assorted)

1970s

4

2

Chorus magazines

1990s

4

3

Faculty meeting  minutes

1988 May

4

4

Graduate Conducting Recital Handbook

No date

4

5

Joseph Flummerfelt biographical/resume and DePauw University related

1950s-2000s

4

6

Harold A. Decker University of Illinois compilation of works

No date

4

7

Elaine Brown/Singing City

No date

4

8

Composer information and travel photos/brochures Bach, Handel, Schutz, Liszt

1980s

4

9

Church Music: the future creative leadership for the year 2000 and beyond

1989

4

10

Major donors—Westminster Choir College—Taplin, Hillman, Koch, misc.

1990s

4

11

Westminster Choir Discography—compiled by Joseph G. Beck

1976 Jul

4

12

WCC Artists Management—Herbert Barrett Management, Harold Shaw (Management), Columbia Artists (CAMI)

1980s-1990s

4

13

Faculty/Admin. To J. Flummerfelt, including Rider merger and J. Barton Leudeke

1970s-1990s

4

14

Grammy Awards nomination

1979

4

15

Music dedicated to Joseph Flummerfelt

1991

4

16

Notes from students to J. Flummerfelt

1980s-1990s

4

17

J. Flummerfelt Folksong copyrights and requests

1980s

4

18

J. Flummerfelt arrangements—Danny Boy, Jesus Rest Your Head, Loch Lomond, Sweet Afton, O Waly Waly

1970s-1990s

4

19

WCC requests for permission

1970s-1980s

4

20

J. Flummerfelt copyrights and correspondence w. Hinshaw and Holofcener

1980s-1990s

4

21

Master of Music in Choral Conducting—degrees conferred

1985-1991

5

1

Westminster Choir program and notes

1990-1991

5

2

WCC Student Recitals

1987-1990

5

3

Westminster Choir Lists

1971-1997

5

4

Westminster Choir Programs

1971-1993

5

5

New England Conservatory

1988-1989

5

6

Korean language choral magazines/flyers

1996

5

7

Taiwanese folk song (Chinese language) (Composer—Chang) sheet music, Taiwanese programs, Taipei International Music Festival

1996

5

8

Colmar Festival

1996

5

9

Bochumer Symphoniker (Germany)

1998

5

10

Israel World Assembly of Choirs

1998

5

11

Bill Fuller – open letters voicing student concerns

1987

6                                           

1

William McGarry resume

1992

6

2

Rider University magazine—Bob Annis, Dean

1994

6

3

Task force—strategic planning

1982

6

4

Plea to Ray Robinson—capital campaign

1984-1985

6

5

Marketing/Recruiting Study

1986

6

6

Presidential/ Church Music Chair Searches

1986-1987

6

7

Memoranda/Correspondence

1965-1992

6

8

Newsletters and periodicals

1970-1992

 

9

Westminster Anniversaries/ Firsts and Promotional Material

1970s-2001

6

10

Wedding of Amy Anderson and Jon Zehnal program, sheet music etc.

1994

6

11

Inquiries for Westminster Choir, Symphonic Choir, etc.

1977-1983

6

12

Leonard Bernstein’s Charge to the Seniors address given at Westminster

1966 Jun 3

6

13

Re. James Morton—“Conversion and Music” sermon

1976

6

14

American Choral Foundation

1962-1967

6

15

American Choral Review

1962

6

16

Chorale : Newsletter for Professional and Amateur Choral Singers

1993

6

17

Richard Tucker Music Foundation Newsletter

1992-1994

6

18

Joseph Flummerfelt Graduate Work writings/papers

1960-1964

7

1

Graduate Music History Seminar (Taught by Joseph Flummerfelt)

1966?

7

2

Performance Practice of the Baroque

No date

7

3

Performance Practice of the Renaissance

No date

7

4

NYCA (New York Choral Artists) and AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists) agreement

1993-1996

7

5

NYCA -(New York Choral Artists) – general, budgets, schedules etc.

1995-1998

7

6

NYCA -(New York Choral Artists) – general, budgets, schedules etc.

1991-1994

8

1

NYCA -(New York Choral Artists) – general, budgets, schedules etc.

1991-1992

8

2

NYCA -(New York Choral Artists) – general, budgets, schedules etc.

1990-1991

8

3

NYCA -(New York Choral Artists) – general, budgets, schedules etc.

1987-1990

8

4

NYCA -(New York Choral Artists) – general, budgets, schedules etc.

1985-1987

8

5

NYCA -(New York Choral Artists) – general, budgets, schedules etc.

1980-1985

8

6

NYCA -(New York Choral Artists) – overview

1979-1990

8

7

NYCA -(New York Choral Artists) -- checks

1980-1990

8

8

Repertoire lists

1960s-1970s

8

9

Live from Lincoln Center (Verdi Requiem)

1980-1981

9

1

Symphonic  Choir

1981

9

2

Photographs (duplicates of items placed in the Photograph Collection)

1970s-1990s

9

3

Menotti – Landscapes and Remembrances

1980

9

4

United Nations Day

1957

9

5

Written article by J. Flummerfelt for Symphony Magazine

1982 Dec

9

6

Article “Passion of St. Luke”— by Joseph Flummerfelt from The Choral Journal

1973 Apr

9

7

Written speeches, campus concerns, notes, interviews, etc. by J. Flummerfelt

No date

9

8

Development Letters to prominent individuals

1990 Sep

9

9

American Choral Artists / American Choral Academy

No date

9

10

A Professional Choir “Thots ‘80”

1980-1981

9

11

Contracts (blank) Westminster Choir

No date

9

12

Spring Tour Itinerary

1993

9

13

Westminster Choir Academic Standards

1993

9

14

Miscellaneous Flummerfelt Related Programs

1970s-1990s

9

15

Series II: Correspondence

 

 

 

Correspondence (including undated)

1958

10

1

Correspondence

1970

10

2

Correspondence

1971

10

3

Correspondence

1972

10

4

Correspondence

1973

10

5

Correspondence

1974

10

6

Correspondence

1975

10

7

Correspondence

1986

10

8

Correspondence

1977

10

9

Correspondence

1978

10

10

Correspondence

1979

10

11

Correspondence

1980

10

12

Correspondence

1981

10

13

Correspondence

1982

10

14

Correspondence

1984-1986

10

15

Correspondence (letters to Flummerfelt on his 50th birthday (Muti, Ehmann, Willcocks, Mehta, Menotti, etc.)

1987

10

16

Correspondence

1989-1993

10

17

Correspondence

1994-1995

10

18

Correspondence

1996

10

19

Correspondence

1997

10

20

Correspondence

1998

10

21

Correspondence

1999

10

22

Correspondence

2000

10

23

Correspondence

2001

10

24

Correspondence

2002

10

25

Correspondence

2003

10

26

Correspondence

2004

10

27

Correspondence

2005

10

28

Correspondence

2006

10

29

Series III: Events and Projects

 

WCC Summer session

1983-1992

11

1

World Projects Corp. NYC

1997 Apr

11

2

Heritage festival Chicago

1997 Apr

11

3

Phoenix  Symphony -- Messiah

1996 Dec

11

4

Princeton University 250th anniversary concert

1996 Nov

11

5

Honolulu Symphony

1996 Jun

11

6

Augusta, GA Poulenc Gloria

1995 Nov 10-12

11

7

ACDA (American Choral Conductors Assoc.) Student Conducting Finals WA

1995 Mar

11

8

Festival of Gold

1994-1995

11

9

WCC Summer Schubert Fest.

1995 July

11

10

Margaret Hillis award

1995 Jan

11

11

Univ. of Florida residency

1994 Oct

11

12

Cal. State Summer Arts

1994 Jul

11

13

Princeton Invitational Choral Festival

1994 Jun

11

14

Ontario Canada notes

1994 May

11

15

First Presbyterian Church Tampa, FL

1994 Feb

11

16

BBC Radio Interview

1994 Jan

11

17

Univ. of Montevallo

1994 Jan

11

18

Augusta, GA Durufle Requiem

1993 Nov

11

19

College of Charleston Residency

1993 Apr

11

20

City of Bethlehem 250th Anniversary

1992 May

11

21

Trenton Symphony (cancelled)

1992

11

22

Winston Salem Messiah

1991 Nov-Dec

11

23

Lancaster, OH

Nov 1991

11

24

Texas Junior Choral Festival

1991 Sep

11

25

Juilliard School -- Mozart

1991 Oct

11

26

Concert Chorale of Houston (TX)

1984 Dec

11

27

DePauw University-- Faure

1984 Nov

11

28

National Endowment for the Arts

1984

11

29

Berkshire Choral Institute

1984 Jul-Aug

11

30

New Mexico All State (cancelled)

1984 Jan

12

1

NJ MENC Atlantic City

1983 Nov

12

2

All –NW MENC

1983 Apr

12

3

All Eastern MENC

1983 Feb

12

4

Joyful Noise video program proposal by David Wasson

No date

12

5

Misc.-- NY Choral Society,
Holy Trinity Lutheran,
Lehigh U., Berkshire
Choral Institute, Emory
Church Music Workshop

1977-1987

12

6

Misc.--NJ Symphony-
Messiah, NY Choral
Society, Indiana Univ.,
Pepsico Summerfare,
Greater Trenton Symphony

1988-1990

12

7

Misc.--Choral Conductors
Guild, Summer Choral Fest., 1st
Pres. Church (St. Petersburg,
FL), Cal. State U. Summer Arts,
Univ. of Florida, Church of
Good Shepherd (Augusta FL),
Twynham’s Magnificat

1991-1996

12

8

NYCA and other Flummerfelt related programs (including annotated Westminster Choir

1968-2009

12

9

Spoleto Festival related articles, notes-- See also Spoleto Festival Collection

1970s-1990s

12

10

Spring Tour

1994

12

11

Series IV: Newspaper Clippings

 

 

 

Newspaper Clippings

1971

12

12

Newspaper Clippings

1972

12

13

Newspaper Clippings

1973

12

14

Newspaper Clippings

1974

12

15

Newspaper Clippings

1975

12

16

Newspaper Clippings

1976

12

17

Newspaper Clippings

1977

12

18

Newspaper Clippings

1978

12

19

Newspaper Clippings

1979

12

20

Newspaper Clippings

1980

12

21

Newspaper Clippings

1981

12

22

Newspaper Clippings

1982-1983

13

1

Newspaper Clippings

1986-1987

13

2

Newspaper Clippings

1988

13

3

Newspaper Clippings

1989

13

4

Newspaper Clippings

1990-1991

13

5

Newspaper Clippings

1992

13

6

Newspaper Clippings

1993

13

7

Newspaper Clippings

1994

13

8

Newspaper Clippings

1995

13

9

Newspaper Clippings

1996

13

10

Newspaper Clippings

1997

13

11

Newspaper Clippings

1998

14

1

Newspaper Clippings

1999

14

2

Newspaper Clippings

2000

14

3

Newspaper Clippings

2001

14

4

Newspaper Clippings

2002

14

5

Newspaper Clippings

2003

14

6

Newspaper Clippings

2004

14

7

Newspaper Clippings

2005

14

8

Newspaper Clippings

2006

14

9

Newspaper Clippings

2007

14

10

Newspaper Clippings

No date

14

11

Series V: Programs

 

 

 

Programs

No date

15

1

Programs

1971

15

2

Programs

1972

15

3

Programs

1973

15

4

Programs

1974

15

5

Programs

1975

15

6

Programs

1976

15

7

Programs

1977

15

8

Programs

1978

15

9

Programs

1979

15

10

Programs

1980

15

11

Programs

1981

15

12

Programs

1982

15

13

Programs

1983

15

14

Programs

1984

15

15

Programs

1989

15

16

Programs

1993

15

17

Programs

1995

15

18

Programs

1996

15

19

Programs

1997

16

1

Programs

1998

16

2

Programs

1999

16

3

Programs

2000

17

1

Programs

2001

17

2

Programs

2002

17

3

Programs

2003

17

4

Programs

2004

17

5

Programs

2005

17

6

Programs

2006

17

7

Series VI: Choral Activities Files

 

 

 

Symphonic Choir

1981-1982

18

1

Symphonic Choir--general

1982-1983

18

2

Symphonic Choir--NJ Symphony /NY Philharmonic

1981-1982

18

3

Symphonic Choir--NY Philharmonic  Mahler 2nd

1981

18

4

Symphonic Choir—Messiah--NJ Symphony

1981 Dec

18

5

Symphonic Choir--Orchestra de Paris--Carnegie Hall

1982 Feb 19

18

6

Symphonic Choir-- Mahler 2nd

1982 Mar 7

18

7

Symphonic Choir Handel Festival

1982 Apr 17

18

8

Symphonic Choir

1980-1981

18

9

Symphonic Choir--general

1984-1985

18

10

Symphonic Choir-- Orchestra Budget Estimates

1984-1985

18

11

Symphonic Choir—Gluck Orfeo Philadelphia Orchestra Muti

1984

18

12

Symphonic Choir Scriabin Symphony #1 Philadelphia Muti

1985 Jan 28-29

18

13

Symphonic Choir—Handel  NY Philharmonic-- Masur conducting

1985 Feb 21, 22, 23, 26

18

14

Symphonic Choir Bach Magnificat, NY Philharmonic Kubelik

1985 Mar 21, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29 Apr 2

18

15

Symphonic Choir general

1983-1984

18

16

Symphonic Choir Verdi MacBeth Philadelphia Orchestra Muti

1983 Oct 6, 8, 11

18

17

Symphonic  Choir Carmina Burana Muti

1983 Dec 1, 2, 3, 6

18

18

Symphonic Choir Princeton U. Orchestra M. Pratt Beethoven

1984 Mar 2, 3, 4

19

1

All Choirs PBS Gala of Stars Radio City Music Hall, ASO, Levine

1984 Feb 28

19

2

Symphonic Choir Brahms Requiem NY Philharmonic--Mehta

1984 Apr 19,20, 21, 24

19

3

Symphonic Choir American Symphony Orchestra

1982-1983 Sep 9

19

4

Mahler II NY Philharmonic 10,000th concert

1982 Mar 7

19

5

Symphonic Choir American Symphony Mahler 2--Gilbert Kaplan

1983 Apr 7

19

6

Symphonic Choir Heinrich Schuetz Festival

1983 Mar 4-6

19

7

Schoenberg Gurrelieder, NY Phil

1983 Apr 21, 23

19

8

Symphonic Choir Brahms Requiem L.A. Symphony Carnegie Giulini

1982 Dec 2

19

9

Symphonic Choir NJ Symphony Holiday Program

1982 Dec 4, 5, 10, 11

19

10

Symphonic Choir Denver Symphony

1983 Mar

19

11

Symphonic Choir West Point Beethoven 9th Robert Shaw

1983 Mar 26

19

12

Symphonic Choir Liszt-- Faust Symphony Muti Philadelphia Orchestra

1982 Sep-Oct

19

13

Series VII: Oversized

 

 

 

Plaques --ACDA American Choral Directors Assoc. (3 total)

1993-2004

OS1 (small flat box  metal cabinet)

 

Flummerfelt related--large framed color photo, various WC concert poster boards; Robert Shaw poster; Penderecki signed poster board, etc.

Ca. 1971-2008

OS2 (in same box as Spoleto)

 

Julia A. Perry Collection, ca. 1925-1979

Creator: Julia A. Perry

Title : Julia A. Perry Collection

Dates: ca. 1925-1979

Extent: 1 archival box

Location: Dayton room metal racks above filing cabinets.

Abstract: Contains papers related to Westminster Choir College alumna Julia Amanda Perry (1924-1979) (BM ’47, MM ’48). The collection illustrates her life as a music student, teacher, and composer, and includes photographs, clippings, official documents, notes, and other materials related to her life. Also included are Perry authored plays and spirituals. Additional materials on Julia Perry, including correspondence and additional biographical materials, can be found in her alumni file.

Provenance: Donated by Alycia Berry, Julia Perry’s sister, 2008.

Biographical Note

Julia Perry was born in 1924 in Lexington, KY to African-American parents, Dr. Abe Perry and America Lois Heath Perry. She attended the University of Akron (Ohio) from 1942-1943. She attended Westminster Choir College from 1943 to 1947 for her Bachelor of Music degree and in 1948 completed her Master of Music degree. Her master’s thesis cantata was titled Chicago, a secular cantata based on the poems of Carl Sandburg.

After graduation, she studied with prominent conducting and composition instructors in Europe and the United States. She went on to additional graduate studies with Luigi Dallapiccola at the Berkshire Music Center and at the Juilliard School of Music. She also studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. She studied conducting in Siena, Italy and worked for the U.S. Information Service touring European cities, lecturing, and conducting orchestras. She later worked in the United States, taught private piano instruction, worked at a college lecturer at Florida A&M, and continued to lecture, conduct, and compose.

In the 1950s and 1960s her work as a composer garnered her significant attention. She was a prolific composer who created a variety of music including full orchestra, band, solo voice, choral music, and dramatic music among others. Her works were performed by the New York Philharmonic, Clarion Concerts and other orchestras. Her recordings of her compositions Stabat Mater, Short Piece, and Homunculus C.F. were released by Composers Recordings in the 1960s. She won numerous awards for her work, including those of the National Association of Negro Musicians, the Boulanger Grand Prix, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the National Institute of Arts and Letters award among others.

As an African-American woman Perry pushed the boundaries of race and gender during an era which saw few composers of her background gain recognition. Her career was severely hampered in 1970 when she had the first of several strokes, which left her paralyzed on the right side. She taught herself to write with her left hand and continued to compose in the 1970s while in and out of the hospital and in declining health. She died in 1979 at age 55 in Akron, Ohio. Her achievements were recognized posthumously in 1984 by Westminster Choir College, which awarded her the Alumni Merit Award.

Scope and Content Note

Materials included in this collection are biographical information and clippings, photographs, a diploma, a passport, a  typewritten dramatic play, music publishing correspondence and contract, musical transcriptions, and notes pertaining to the life and work of Julia A. Perry, Westminster Choir College graduate and established music composer and instructor. Additional materials, including hand written correspondence, can be found in the Julia A. Perry alumni file.

Subject Access Points
Perry, Julia A.
Perry, Lois A.
Westminster Choir College
African-American women composers
Composers (Music)
Clippings (Books, clippings, etc.)
Correspondence
Diplomas
Photographs

Folder Title Date Box Folder

Biographical/Clippings/Programs/Julia and Lois A. Perry (Julia’s mother) related correspondence

1940-1979

1

1

Photographs/Postcards

ca. 1925- ca.1960

1

2

Official Documents—includes diploma and passport

ca. 1936-1957

1

3

Play by Julia Perry titled Fisty, m-e!

1969

1

4

Copyright and Carl Fischer, Inc. music publishing documents

1968-1970

1

5

Transcriptions of spirituals (four movement spiritual for orchestra and Three Movement Spiritual for Orchestra, includes Stabat Mater composed by Julia Perry, and excerpts from unfinished Perry authored opera titled The Sympleglades or Mary Easty and Gallows Hill

ca. 1950s-1960s

1

6

Notebook and loose typed pages --bibliographical, program, and introductory notes

No date

1

7

“The Cask of Amontillado” full and piano vocal scores (two scores added to original manuscript collection)

No date

1

8

Marcel Dupré Collection, ca. 1890s-1994

Creator: Anna French Adams

Title: Marcel Dupré Collection compiled by Anna French Adams

Dates: ca. 1890s-1994 (Bulk 1920s-1930s)

Extent: 3 archival boxes

Location: Special Collections shelves behind Circulation Desk

Abstract: Contains papers related to organist Marcel Dupré, assembled by Franklin Stewart Adams and his wife Anna French Adams. Franklin was a pupil of Dupré and the Adamses had a long-term friendship with Dupré and his wife, Jeanne. Anna French Adams and Jeanne Dupré, an English teacher, corresponded in English. The collection includes Adams's marked copies of Dupré's organ music, photographs inscribed by Marcel Dupré, programs, clippings, scrapbooks and letters. Marcel Dupré and his daughter Marguerite performed in Westminster's Bristol Chapel in 1946. Westminster’s Talbott Library received the collection in 1998, shortly after the death of Anna French Adams.

Provenance: Donated on June 31, 1998 by Rev. Dr. Frederick J. Schumacher, representing the estate of Anna French Adams.

Processing Note:

Original inventory list for this collection includes a listing for “Fantasia , part 1 and part 2, Adams, Frank Stewart” listed under the category “Scores by Various Composers.” These items are currently not present with the rest of the collection. Their location is unknown. Original inventory list and collection notes are in a separate folder in Box 1.

Biographical Note

Marcel Dupré, born in Rouen, France in 1886, was a noted organist and composer with a worldwide reputation as a virtuoso performer and improviser. He was the son of organist Albert Dupré. Marcel was recognized early as a young talent and in his formative years he studied under the direction of his father’s friend Alexandre Guilmant. In his prime he was famous, especially in the United States, and was recognized as a prolific recitalist with excellent improvisational skills. In 1896, at the age of 11, he was appointed organist of the church of Saint-Vivien in Rouen and in the following year he began study at the Paris Conservatoire. In the 1920s, he gained a reputation through performances in France, England, and the United States. In 1926 he returned to the Paris Conservatoire as professor of organ performance and improvisation, a position he held until 1954.

In the 1920s, Dupré performed more than 2000 organ recitals throughout Australia, the United States, Canada and Europe. In the United States, he was sponsored by the Wanamaker Department Store in Philadelphia and the company organized a nationwide tour which helped him to attain far reaching fame. He also played on the famous Wanamaker organ and composed his Symphonie-Passion (1921) based on his improvisational performances on this organ.

In 1934, Dupré became titular organist at the church of St-Sulpice in Paris and held this position until his death. He attracted a large following there and his performances attracted large crowds. He also wrote organ instruction textbooks as well instructional volumes about the works of other composers such as Bach, Handel, Mozart, Liszt, Mendelssohn, and Schumann. He was also a prolific composer in his own right: his most well-known works include the Symphonie-Passion, the Chemin de la Croix, the Preludes and Fugues, the Esquisses and évocation, and the Cortège et Litanie.

He married Jeanne (Jeannette) Pasouau in April 1924. She had previously been married to Marcel’s Uncle Henri Dupré. Their marriage was a happy one and lasted until Marcel’s death in 1971. They had one daughter, Marguerite (also a talented organist), and three grandchildren whom they helped raise after Marguerite’s untimely death in 1963 (followed by Marguerite’s husband Emmanuel’s death in 1964). Marcel was active well into his later years. He gave his final concert in Switzerland in 1970. He passed away in May 1971 after a sudden illness.

Scope and Content Note:

Contains letters, memorabilia, newspaper clippings, programs, scrapbooks, and photographs pertaining to organist and composer Marcel Dupré. Also contains published works by Dupré and various other composers, most of which contain markings by Franklin Stewart Adams.

Subject Access Points

Adams, Frank Stewart, 1885-1964
Dupré, Marcel, 1886-1971
Composers
Organ (Musical instrument)
Organ Music
Organists
Correspondence
Photographs
Scrapbooks

Series List

Series I: Letters and Memorabilia
Series II: Dupré Works - Published Editions
Series III: Scores by Various Composers
Series IV: Photographs

Folder Title Date Box Folder

Series I: Letters and Memorabilia

Packet containing two letters from Marcel Dupré: A. single leaf, typed, dated 23 September 1931 pasted to verso, letter to Anna Adams from Jeannette [Dupré], 10 December 1939. B. single leaf, hand written as a recommendation for Frank S. Adams, 24 February 1937.

1931-1939

1

1

Packet containing the Adams scores with programs inside, “In memory of Marcel Dupré 1886-1971” by Anna F. Adams, and miscellaneous clippings, programs and flyers (about 7 items).

ca. 1930s-1980s

1

2

Packet of approximately 13 clippings programs, notes “In Remembrance of Marcel Dupré”, postcards, includes letter from David Pizarro

ca. 1930s-1992

1

3

Packet containing approximately 13 picture post cards, 2 greeting cards, and about 70 letters some including a clipping or a program, primarily from Jeanette Dupré, but also from Marcel Dupré, Marguerite Dupré, E. Tollet, and Charles N. Henderson and possibly others

ca. 1920s-1980s

1

4

Two scrapbooks in a wrapper labeled “Dupré – Historical” A.) 12 pages containing programs, journal clippings and a photograph of “Organist’s Midnight Supper at Angelo’s”, February 1, 1924, which contains 22 names. B.) 30 pages, 1920s-1970s, containing programs, clippings, letters, postcards, photographs, and family snapshots. Small packet enclosed containing 2 programs, photocopy of page in Anna Adams hand & a program fragment.

1920s-1970s

1

5

Issue of The Grainger Journal, vol. 3 no 2, which contains a clipping from Gannett Westchester newspapers --an interview with Anna F. Adams. This issue has her article: “Remembered Years”

March 1981

1

6

Series II: Dupré Works - Published Editions

Cortege et Litanie (a work by Marcel Dupré)-- conductor’s score, inscribed to Frank Adams from Marcel Dupré

1924

1

7

Cortege et Litanie --Grand orgue part, signed Marcel Dupré (inscription [to Frank Adams] cut away) and organ part, violin and viola parts

1924

1

8

Cortege et Litanie – contra bass, bassoon, bass clarinet, English horn, oboe, flute, bass violin, cello

1924

1

9

Cortege et Litanie – trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, harpe, celest Glockenspiel cymbal, kettle drum

1924

1

10

Traite d’Improvisation a l’Orgue; signed Margaretta G. French; in pencil: Frank Stewart Adams

1925

2

1

Psyche, for voices & piano; signed Margaretta French, with clipping from The American Organist

1914

2

2

Vepres du Commun des Fettes de la Sainte Vierge, signed Margaretta French; Lamento pour orgue; signed Marcel Dupré ?; Le Chemin de la Croix; with clipping from The American Organist

1920-1932

2

3

Variations Sur un Noel

Trois Preludes et Fugues; signed Margaretta French & Frank Stewart Adams

1920-1923

2

4

Suite Bretonne; inscribed to Frank Adams by Marcel Dupré (2 copies)

Symphonie-Passion signed by Dupré

1924-1925

2

5

Series III: Scores by Various Composers

Andrews, M. Sonata in A minore for organ, op. 17; Becker, R. First sonata for organ, in G minor, op. 40 and Second sonata for organ, in F, op. 41;

Buck, D. Grand sonata in Eb, op. 22;

Elgar, E. Sonate fur Orgel, op. 28

1896-1912

2

6

Guilmant, A. Cantilene pastorale, op. 15, no. 3 ( 2 copies, one very fragile); Sonata 1 for organ, op. 42; Sonata 2, op. 50; Sonata 3, op. 50; Sonata 4, op. 61; Sonata 5, op. 80; Sonata in b minor, op. 86; Sonata 7, op. 89

1876-1941

2

7

Jongen, J. Sonata Eroica, op. 94;

Lemmens, J., Sonate Pontificale, no. 1 of Trois Sonates pour Orgue;

Merkel, G. Sonata no. 2, op. 42;

Ritter, A.G. Sonate, Em, op. 19;

Whiting, G. E. Grand Sonata for organ, op. 25; Wilson, M.Sonata in C major, op. 17

1890-1932

2

8

Series IV: Photographs

M. Mauro-Cottone, inscribed to Frank Stewart Adams

January 29, 1923

3

1

Marcel Dupré at Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia

1923

3

1

Marcel Dupré, inscribed to Frank Adams,

March 19, 1923

3

1

Marcel Dupré, inscribed to Margaretta French

August 16, 1927

3

1

Marcel Dupré, inscribed to Margaretta French

February 1, 1929

3

1

Marcel & Marguerite Dupré, inscribed to Frank & Anna Adams

December 8, 1937

3

1

Garrick Ohlsson, framed newspaper clipping, March 10, 1994 (written on front--“ Garrick was in my Junior Choir for a very brief time in the 1930s at Trinity Lutheran Church, White Plains”

March 10. 1994

3

1

Spoleto Festival Collection, 1960s-2011

Creator: Joseph Flummerfelt

Title: Spoleto Festival Collection

Dates: 1960s-2011

Extent: 8 archival boxes and one oversized box

Location: Cabinets in Library Instruction Room

Abstract: Contains programs, brochures, flyers, posters, and general papers related to the Spoleto Italy and Spoleto U.S.A. Festivals during the years that Joseph Flummerfelt and/or the Westminster Choir participated.

Provenance: Donated by Joseph Flummerfelt, 2010

Historical Note

Italian composer Gian Carlo Menotti founded the annual Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds) music and visual arts festival in Spoleto Italy in 1958, with the idea that there would eventually be a second festival taking place in the United States. The first Italian festival featured a new production of Verdi’s MacBeth. Each subsequent festival featured a variety of concerts, opera, dance, dramatic performances and visual arts exhibitions.

Joseph Flummerfelt began his association with the Spoleto Italy Festival in 1971 when he directed the Florida State University Singers’ appearance at the Festival. The prior year, Flummerfelt had caught the attention of Gian Carlo Menotti, who then invited him to participate. The Westminster Choir soon became the choir-in-residence at the festival in Italy. The Choir continued to perform at the Spoleto Italy Festival until 1991.

The Spoleto U.S.A. Festival began in 1977 in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A., with Flummerfelt playing a key role in its establishment. The city was chosen because of its abundance of churches, performance spaces, and cultural and historic attractions. The Westminster Choir, under the direction of Flummerfelt, performed at the first Spoleto U.S.A. Festival in 1977 and continues to serve as the chorus-in-residence to the present day under the direction of conductor Joe Miller.

Scope and Content Note

The items in this collection were separated from the Joseph Flummerfelt Collection and made into a discrete collection pertaining only to the Spoleto Italy Festival (1971-1991) and Spoleto U.S.A. Festivals (1977-2011). They are arranged in chronological order with the Spoleto Italy section first. A small number of additional Spoleto related items already in the archives were integrated into the collection.

The items are mainly programs from the festivals, brochures, tourist information for the festival locations, and oversized posters (located in the same box as the Joseph Flummerfelt Collection oversized).

All photographs pertaining to the Spoleto Festivals were separated from this collection and placed in the Photograph Collection 13/C/29. These photos are solely of the Spoleto Festival Italy from the 1970s.

Subject Access Points

Flummerfelt, Joseph
Menotti, Gian Carlo, 1911-2007
Festival of Two Worlds
Spoleto Festival U.S.A.
Westminster Choir
Brochures
Posters
Programs

Folder Title

Date

Box

Folder

Spoleto Festival -- Italy misc., tourist information, history

1960s-1980s

1

1

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1971

1

2

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1972

1

3

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1973

1

4

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1974

1

5

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1975

1

6

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1976

1

7

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1977

1

8

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1978-1979

2

1

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1980

2

2

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1982

2

3

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1983-1987

2

4

Spoleto Festival -- Italy

1988-1993

2

5

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1977

3

1

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1978

3

2

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1979

3

3

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1980

3

4

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1981

3

5

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1982

3

6

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1983

3

7

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1984-1985

4

1

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1986-1987

4

2

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1988-1989

4

3

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1990

4

4

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1991-1992

4

5

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1993-1994

5

1

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1995-1996

5

2

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1997

5

3

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1998

5

4

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

1999

5

5

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2000

6

1

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2001

6

2

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2002

6

3

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2003

6

4

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2004

6

5

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2005

7

1

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2006

7

2

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2007

7

3

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2008-2009

7

4

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2010-2011

7

5

Spoleto Festival – U.S.A.

2012-

8

1

Oversized items--Spoleto Festival Italy (including Gian Carlo Menotti signed) and Spoleto Festival U.S.A. related posters

1974-2006

OS2 (in same box as Flummerfelt)