The University of Washington's School of Music unofficially began in 1875, when for the first time, all of the subjects to be taught at the university were publicly listed, including music. When Washington became a state in 1889, there were classes in harmony, composition, orchestration, and practical instruction; an orchestra was organized shortly afterwards. The music department's first graduate matriculated in 1891. In 1894, the catalogue was revised according to Stanford University's system of majors and electives. Nine regular departments and three special departments were established, including the Department of Music. By 1895, music students were assisting with programs at musical and social affairs and organizations, including the Seattle Ladies Musical Club. The New York Building, erected for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, was the home of the School of Music from 1927-1950. During these years, practice rooms and studios were also maintained in the basement of Meany Hall. Concert series were sponsored regularly by the Associated Students of the University of Washington (A.S.U.W.), the University Office of Concerts and Lectures, the Adult Education and Extension Departments, and the University Forum. Summer concerts and festivals, including Festival Opera and chamber music, were presented annually. In June of 1950, the School of Music moved into its new building at the head of the quadrangle on the University of Washington campus.
Dr. Irving McKay Glen was in charge of the Music Department from 1901-1915 as Dean, then from 1915 to 1931 as Dean of the College of Fine Arts. The Music Department was reorganized in 1935 as a School of Music, with Frances Dickey continuing as executive officer. Carl Paige Wood succeeded Dickey as Director until his death in January 1947. Kathleen Munro was Acting Director from January 1947 until September 1949, when Dr. Stanley Chapple filled the position. In 1962, Demar Irvine became Acting Director until William Bergsma took over from 1963 to 1971. John T. Moore, previously the Assistant Director of the School of Music, became Director from 1971 to 1979. Succeeding directors were: Paul M. Palombo (1979-1981), Fredric Lieberman (1981-1985), Daniel M. Neuman (1985-1995), Robin McCabe (1995-2009), and Richard Karpen (2009-present).
Images of various campus performance halls, faculty and students, concerts, and visiting performers associated with the University of Washington's School of Music. Also includes images of identified and unidentified opera performances held at the University Playhouse and Meany Hall Theatre between 1949 and 1967.
Collection is open to the public.
Processed by Beck Prigot, 2015.
Originally accessioned as PH2004-096.
Photographs and scrapbooks were relocated from the University of Washington School of Music Records, Mss Accession No. 04-083, in the repository on November 15, 2004.
Written on verso:
Beale (1924-2010) was a composer who trained under Stanley Chapple. He taught theory and composition at the UW School of Music from 1948 until 1994, and served as acting director during the 1983-1984 academic year and the 1994 and 1995 summer quarters.
2a and 2b are different croppings of the same photograph.
Bergsma (1921-1994) was a composer who taught at the UW School of Music from 1963 until 1986, and served as its director from 1963 until 1971.
Bostwick (1898-1971) was a harpsichordist and pianist who taught at the UW School of Music from 1931 until 1969.
Chapple (1900-1987) was an orchestra conductor who served as director of the UW School of Music from 1948 to 1962, and as director of symphony and opera from 1962 to 1971.
Stamped on verso: Exclusive Management, ANDREW SCHULOFF, 113 West 57th Street, New York 19, New York
Eichinger (1910-1997) taught organ at the UW School of Music from 1936 until 1979.
Erb (1927-2008) was a composer and colleague of William Bergsma.
Frantz (1908-1965) was a concert pianist who taught at the UW School of Music during the 1935 and 1936 summer quarters.
Written on photograph: Sincerely, Dalies Frantz
Stamped on verso: DALIES FRANTZ, PIANIST. MANAGEMENT, Evans and Salter, 113 W. 57th St., New York
Stamped on verso: DALIES FRANTZ, PIANIST. MANAGEMENT, Evans and Salter, 113 W. 57th St., New York
Goleeke ('50) was a Music Education major and participant in UW Opera.
Hokanson (1916-2001) was a composer who taught at the UW School of Music from 1949 until 1952.
Irvine (1908-1995) was a composer who taught at the UW School of Music from 1937 until 1978, served as its interim director from 1961 until 1963, and served as its graduate program director from 1950 until 1978.
Jacobson (1894-1975) taught piano studies at the UW School of Music from 1937 until 1965.
Johnson (1913-1975) was a conductor who assisted with the 1947 High School Music Institute and conducted the UW Orchestra during the summer of 1948.
Keats (1929-) is a composer who taught at the UW School of Music during the 1969-1970 academic year.
Lishner (1913-1995) was a bass-baritone operatic singer who taught at the UW School of Music from 1964 until 1979.
Mirovitch (1884-1959) was a pianist and colleague of Carl Paige Wood, a professor at the UW School of Music
Reynolds (1934-) is a composer and was a colleague of William Bergsma.
Written on photograph: To the Music Dept. with best wishes and thanks, Earl Robinson
Robinson (1910-1991) was a composer who attended UW from 1929 to 1933.
Verrall (1908-2001) was a composer who taught composition at the UW School of Music from 1948 until 1993.
Werner (1893-1980) was an operatic singer who taught at the UW School of Music from 1931 until 1965.
Written on verso of photograph holder: Carol Wolf (108) - "Faust" - Nov. 5-6. Role of Siebel - Seattle Civic Opera Assn.
Wolf ('55) was a participant in UW Opera during the mid-1950s.
The Abas String Quartet, comprised of Abraham Weiss, Hubert Sorenson, Flori Gough, and Nathan Abas, performed at UW's Guggenheim Hall in October and November 1936. The quartet was not affiliated with UW.
Written on accompanying note: Section of University of Washington Band, Walter Welke, Director. Welke is a member of the faculty at the National Music Camp at Interlocken [
Written on accompanying note: One of the Chamber Music Groups. Moritz Rosen, Director. The lone boy was allowed to add music to his required military studies. He and the girl on Mr. Rosen's right are the children of George Frederick McKay, well known American composer. University of Washington School of Music, Seattle Wa.
Written on accompanying note: University Choir, Charles W. Lawrence Director. Mr. Lawrence, standing at right. Until the war years, this group made a tour of the Northwest each spring. University of Washington School of Music, Seattle, Wa.
Written on verso: Karla Kantner, Emanuel Zetlin, Vilem Sokol, Eva Heinitz
Written on accompanying note: Madrigal Singers. Helen Hall Director. (Not in picture). This group is highly selective yet changing from year to year as students enter or leave school, or progress to other classes just as they do in any other department of the University. They sing unaccompanied, and are famous for unusual style and finish. University of Washington School of Music, Seattle, Wa.
Written on accompanying note: University String Quartette. One of several. The First Violin and the Viola also play in the Seattle Symphony under Carl Bricken. University of Washington School of Music, Seattle Wa. Please return.
Written on accompanying note attached to photograph 45: University Symphony Orchestra, George Kirchner, Director. These photographs were taken last spring before peace was declared and the male students returned to the campus. Therefore it does not give the conventional picture of such groups as the instrumental ensembles which usually include as many boys as girls. University of Washington School of Music, Seattle, Wa.
Written on verso of photograph 46: A section of the U. Symphony.
Written on accompanying note: University of Washington Women's Glee Club. August Werner, Director. University of Washington School of Music, Seattle Wa.
Phi Mu Alpha, a national honorary music fraternity, had a chapter at UW from 1921 until 1974.
An accompanying handwritten note identifies some of the people in the photograph.
Identified members: George McKay (front row, 2nd from left), Loyd Simpson (front row, 3rd from left), Frank Kernohan (front row, middle), John Conway (front row, 3rd from right), Charles Lawrence (front row, right), Willis Uhl (middle row, 4th from left), Gordon Dixon (middle row, 5th from left), Byron Nichols (middle row, 4th from right), Don Bushell (middle row, 3rd from right), Carl Paige Wood (middle row, right), Glenn Starr (back row, left), Lauren Rhoades (back row, middle), Lyle McMullen (back row, right)
Written on verso of photograph 50: Millegan Levey
The man on the left is possibly Thor Johnson.
Written on accompanying note: Menotti - The Old Maid & the Thief. Vagabond - William Klein. Young Maid - Joanna Swartz. Aug 19-23, 1952. University Playhouse
Written on accompanying note: Menotti, "The Old Maid & the Thief". Town gossip - Barbara Moneymaker. Old Maid - Mary Opstad. Young Maid - Joanna Swartz. Aug 19-23, 1952. University Playhouse
Written on accompanying note: Menotti - "The Old Maid & the Thief". Old Maid - Mary Opstad. Vagabond - William Klein. Young Maid - Joanna Swartz. Aug 19-23, 1952. Univ. Playhouse
Written on accompanying note: Scarlatt'- "Virtue Triumphant" (Il Trionfo dell'Onore).
Written on accompanying note: Menotti, The Medium. Louis Roedel - the mute. Dorothy Cole - Madame Flora. Phyllis Graham - Mrs. Gobineau. Sara Mae Peterson - Mrs. Nolan. Joyce Weeks Morrison - Monica. Univ. Playhouse,
Written on accompanying note: Monteverdi, Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda. Edison Harris, Louis Roedel, Pat Parrott, Alan Stanley, Athena Lampropoulos. Nov 30, 1954. Dec 3, 4 (?).
The names "Alan Stanley" and "Athena Lampropoulos" have been crossed out.
Written on accompanying note: Gluck - Orpheus. Feb 9, 1955. Orpheus - Dorothy Cole, Euridice - Athena Lampropoulos, Amor - Julia Detrich, Dancers: Mary Carrigan, Sadayo Nojima, Lorna Prim, Francis Shiebe, Maria Sakamoto, Mrs. Wm. Brett, Mrs. Ray Leysnid & Mrs. P. H. Scarlatos
Written on accompanying note: Berezowsky - Babar the Elephant. March 5+, 1955. Babar - Wm. Goleeke, Celeste - Carolyn Clarke, Old Lady - Sara Mae Peterson. Camel (front end) - Dick Smith, (back end) - Edward Sherman, Elephants 1 - Charlotte Barclay, 2 - Frances Hall, 3 - John Day, 4- Julia Detrich
Written on accompanying note: Mozart, Don Giovanni - Meany Hall - 8, 9 Mar 1955. August Werner - D. G., Wm. Goleeke - Leporello, Athena Lampropoulos - Donna Anna, Kurt Steinbrecher - the Commendatore, Don Noyran as Don Attavio, Janice Pearl - Donna Elvira, Virginia Johnson Hunter - Zerlina, Alan Stanley - Masetto.
Written on accompanying note: Purcell, "Dido & Aeneas". Carol Wolfe- Dido, Alan Stanley - Aeneas, Pamela Hoon, Sara Mae Peterson, Don Noyran, Phyllis Congoan, Phyllis Sterry, Carol Hamerlin. Univ. Playhouse, May 1955
Photographs from productions of Mozart's
Contains 7 images of the UW Opera's performance of
Contains 6 images of Mikkel Chew and Lee Kilyun loading set pieces for
Contains 21 images of the cast and crew of
Images 1-7 depict various cast and crew members (including Stanley Chapple) waiting in a hallway; images 8, 10, 11, and 19 depict people waiting in line for the bus; images 12, 16-18, 20, and 21 depict people loading props and musical instruments onto the bus; images 13-15 depict people boarding the bus. Image 9 is missing.
Contains 9 images of UW Opera's performance of
Images 4-6 depict scenes from the play; images 7-9 depict actors preparing backstage; image 10 depicts audience members entering the building; images 11 and 12 depict the orchestra pit and audience seating.
Attached press release: The two daughters try to comfort their mother in this tableau from Vaughan Williams' one-act opera, "Riders to the Sea," presented with "The Medium" in May 1964 at the University of Washington. Operas of this sort, with most of the dramatic action taking place off stage, with difficult melody lines in plain song, are an excellent test of the opera student's dramatic and musical ability.
The High School Music Institute was established in 1934 to provide instruction in band, orchestra, and choral work to students from the Pacific Northwest. Members of the 1962 class performed at the Seattle World's Fair that year. The Institute was discontinued following the 1965 session.
Written on verso of item 158: [Music Rm 213]
Written on verso: [Music Rm 35], Summer Music