Collection is open to the publc. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Permanent University Archive public records are available for research, and are subject to state, and in some cases federal freedom of information laws. In compliance with applicable state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, FERPA and HIPAA, specific records that are legally protected, sensitive, private, or confidential are exempt (not subject to disclosure) and closed to protect individual privacy.
The Oregon Bach Festival began as an outgrowth of the UO School of Music. The Festival was co-founded in 1970 by German organist and conductor Helmuth Rilling and Royce Saltzman, the former president of the American Choral Directors Association and professor at the UO. Originally called "The Summer Festival of Music," the festival grew in size, hosting renowned artists, choral and instrumental concerts, as well as educational programs. The festival was started at the University of Oregon's Beall Concert Hall, and later expanded to Eugene's Hult Center in addition to growing to host concerts in other parts of Oregon. In 1981, the name was changed to the Oregon Bach Festival to more accurately reflect its location and the composer that inspired the festival's beginnings. Internationally regarded music artists, professionals from across the US, volunteers, patrons, and donors come together every summer to celebrate the festival. The Oregon Bach Festival is highly renowned and its concerts have reached worldwide audiences throughout the years.
Source: Oregon Bach Festival website: https://oregonbachfestival.org/history-of-obf/
The Oregon Bach Festival collection documents the growth of the festival over the years through office files, correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, subject files, grant and financial records, press clippings, and festival photographs.
The collection is organized into subject type series, beginning with festival information. This contains records of musicians, concerts and events that were held throughout the years, programs the festival hosted, and advertisement information such as newspaper and magazine clippings. A collection of program books from over 30 years, documenting yearly festival concerts, music, sponsors, and more is also included.
It also holds organizational records such as staff information, meeting and planning records, committees, and annual reports which track festival growth from an economic and logistic standpoint. There is financial information pertaining to grants, donor campaigns, and budgets.
Collected correspondence of the founders Royce Saltzman and Helmuth Rilling with donors, musicians, members of boards and committees is included.
There is also a collection of related organization records that includes UO Foundation, the Constituency Development Officers, among others that document donation procedures and fundraising strategies, as well as other records from related organizations or campaigns.