Max Dalby's publications, letters, photographs, and scrapbooks
This collection contains concert programs and schedules, articles and writing projects by Dalby, and photographs of bands, most of which were conducted by Dalby. The majority of the materials date from his time as music department faculty at USU. This collection also includes musical scores written by Dalby's brother Glen, and historic photographs of Dalby's father Cleon.
Max Dalby, born in 1920 in Driggs, Idaho, spent his childhood in Idaho, western Colorado and Salt Lake City, graduating from West High School in 1938. He received a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, a master's degree from San Diego State University and an Ed.D from Utah State University. He was the principal clarinetist in the early years of the Utah Symphony, and during three years of military service he conducted the 249th Army Ground Forces Band in the Canal Zone, Panama. Max was the instrumental music director of multiple high schools in California and Utah from 1946 to 1955, then moved to higher education to direct music at Weber College until moving to Utah State University in 1957. While there, he was coordinator of music education, director of bands, head of the music department, conductor of the USU Symphony Orchestra, co-founder and conductor of the Cache Chamber Orchestra, and founder and conductor of the USU Alumni Band.
Max married Betty Marler in 1941, and together they had 9 children. After Betty's death in 1992, he married Marjorie West Crow, a former high school band mate from Palisade High School in Colorado.
Throughout his career, Max gave thousands of private music lessons. He received the Distinguished Service Award from Utah State University, and in 1994, was named Utah State's "Alumnus of the Year." He served as president of professional organizations and as conductor, clinician and adjudicator in 25 states, Canada and Europe. The band room in the Chase Fine Arts Center is named in his honor.
This collection is arranged into three series: I. Correspondence, publications, and photographs; II. Concert programs; III. Music scores.
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Max F. Dalby papers must be obtained from the
These materials were donated by Rebecca Dalby Nelson (daughter) to Utah State University Special Collections in 2021.
N.W. and Lucy Christiansen papers,
Utah State University Music Department Summer Music Clinic records,