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Music Department Records, 1899-2008

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon State University. Dept. of Music.
Title
Music Department Records
Dates
1899-2008 (inclusive)
1927-1997 (bulk)
Quantity
8.2 cubic feet, including 1 DVD, (13 boxes, including 3 oversize boxes)
1 microfilm reel, (60 feet)
Collection Number
RG 148
Summary
The Music Department Records document music instruction at Oregon State as well as performances by Oregon State bands, choirs, and other musical groups as well as individual students, faculty, and guest artists. The Records include sound recordings in a variety of formats.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Music has been a part of the Oregon State University curriculum since 1871, when the first reference was made to it in the college catalog. Vocal study began in 1887 and a Cadet Band was formed in 1891. A Department of Music was first listed in the 1895-96 catalog. A conservatory style School of Music was organized in 1908 as a self-supporting department within the college, directed by William Frederick Gaskins. Paul Petri directed the school from 1924 until he retired in 1947. That year the program was also placed on the same academic basis as other college departments and headed by Robert Walls, who served until 1965. Other department chairs have included William A. Campbell, 1966-1978; David Eiseman, 1978-1987; Tharald Borgir, 1987- 1993; and Marlan Carlson, beginning in 1993.

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Content Description

The Music Department Records document music instruction at Oregon State as well as performances by Oregon State bands, choirs, and other musical groups and individual students, faculty, and guest artists. The records provide information about courses and degree requirements; facilities and equipment, especially instruments; scholarships; and faculty and staff. The bulk of the collection pertains to Oregon State bands, choirs, and other musical groups. These materials include programs, brochures, and posters; newspaper clippings; scrapbooks; newsletters; and sound recordings of performances, especially from the 1960s-1980s. The collection includes several recordings of the Oregon State alma mater and fight song. The sound recordings include 100 reel-to-reel audiotapes, 28 phonograph records, 13 CDs, and 4 cassette tapes. A video production on the history of choral groups and choral instruction at Oregon State is part of the collection. Several of the recordings are available online.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright, reproduction, and use restrictions may apply to some of the sound recordings.

Preferred Citation

Music Department Records (RG 148), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The records are arranged in 11 series: I. General Correspondence, 1938-1966; II. Scholarships, 1956-1989; III. Historical Sketch of OSU Music Department, 1871-1967, circa 1967; IV. Departmental Memos, 1966-1975; VI. Publications, 1908-2007; VII. Sound Recordings and Moving Images, circa 1947-2008; VIII. Scrapbooks, 1899-1961; IX. Programs and Special Events Records, 1948-2007; X. OSU Bands, 1927-1999; and XI. OSU-Corvallis Symphony, 1951-2006.

Acquisition Information

Materials in the collection were received in numerous transfers and donations from 1968 through 2009.

Future Additions

Additions to the collection are expected.

Related Materials

The Ted Mesang Collection provides information about the OSU Bands under Mesang's direction from 1949 to 1967; the Robert B. Walls Collection consists of sound recordings of performances by Oregon State University choirs. The Archives' holdings include several other collections documenting music activities at Oregon State, including the Corvallis-OSU Music Association Records, Grace Gramms Scrapbook, Homer Maris Collection, Catherine Perry Collection, Lillian Jeffreys Petri Collection, and Helen E. Plinkiewisch Papers. The Oregon State University Bands Motion Picture Films and Videotapes (FV P 104) consist of recordings of OSU Marching Band shows during the 1970s and 1980s. The Memorabilia Collection includes announcements and programs for Music Department events and posters for the OSU-Corvallis Symphony. Photographs of Music Department events and academic programs are part of the Music Department (Robert B. Walls) Photographs (P 137), OSU Bands Photographic Collection (P 104), Music Photographs (P 50), and Harriet's Collection.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid prepared by Lawrence A. Landis; updated by Elizabeth Nielsen.
2010

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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