Collection is open to the public. 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.
Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives. Additional information includes a list of every arrangement in the collection.
The Wally Beau Orchestra was a "family dance band" consisting, primarily, of members of the Beau family of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The orchestra featured older brother Wally Beau on trumpet, Marie Beau on piano, Harvey Beau on saxophone, and Henry "Heinie" Beau (1911- ) on clarinet, in addition other musicians. In addition to playing, Henry Beau also wrote arrangements for the band. The band roster changed regularly.
Henry Beau went on to play clarinet for a number of prominent musical acts, including Red Nichols, Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman.
The collection is entirely made up of musical arrangements. There is a large collection of arrangements orchestrated by Henry Beau, and an even larger collection of arrangements by other orchestrators. Prominent other orchestrators include Gus Donahue, Buck Schmitz, and Jack Mason.