University of Wyoming
Performance recordings -- reel-to-reel and audio tapes.
Morris Hutchins Ruger was an American composer, author, and teacher. He taught at many institutions, including Brenau College, the Community College in San Bernardino, California, the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and Arts, Long Beach City College, and California State University at Long Beach. Some of Ruger's most well-known operas include "Gettysburg," which was broadcast nationally by NBC, and "The Scarlet Letter." Ruger also composed art songs, choral works, suites, and sonatas for the piano.
The collection contains materials related to Ruger's work as a composer. Included are manuscripts and scores for, as well as recordings of, Ruger's chamber music, choral works, operas, orchestral works, and piano compositions. Also included are biographical materials, as well as books and music publications that Ruger collected. There are also press reviews, programs, articles, and photographs, a short film, "The Founding of the West," for which Ruger created a score, and files related to a book about Ruger's life and career that was published by Ruger's widow, Barbara F. Ruger.
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
There are no known other archival collections created by Morris Hutchins Ruger as of the date of processing.
Finding aid available in repository.
This material was received from Barbara F. Ruger from 1999-2018.
The collection was processed by Roger Simon from January-March 2022.
Item Description, Box Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Includes sheet music for both “All the Souls in Heaven” and “Suite for Clarinet and Bassoon," as well as a spreadsheet regarding publication of the sheet music for both.
Includes a note that was originally attached to the envelope: “Incomplete – I – first part here – last part missing; II – first part missing – last part here; III – no indication of third movement.”
Three copies.
Includes sheet music for both “All the Souls in Heaven” (see above) and “Suite for Clarinet and Bassoon,” as well as a spreadsheet list regarding publication of the sheet music for both.
In an envelope labeled “9.”
In an envelope labeled “14.”
“Orchestral Score – 78 pages; Narration (Lewis Carroll) – 12 pages.”
In an envelope labeled “12.”
In an envelope labeled “10.”
In an envelope labeled “13.”
Five spiral-bound copies.
Four spiral-bound copies.
Two spiral-bound copies. One copy includes loose inserts. The other copy includes a note from Barbara F. Ruger regarding “this early edition of the piano-reduction score.” She says that it was printed before “Some Things Will Never Change,” which was added later, was written. A complete copy of the text of “A Stone, a Leaf, a Door” is attached to the note.
Hardbound volume.
Hardbound volume.
Hardbound volume.
Includes photos, clippings, and a letter from the U.S. Department of the Interior that accompanied a map.
In a scrapbook.
In an envelope labeled “1.”
One copy includes typewritten pages as loose inserts; the other includes typewritten pages, handwritten notes, and a clipping.
Includes a program from the first performance at the Hollywood Bowl.
In an envelope labeled “2.”
In an envelope labeled “4.”
In an envelope labeled “5.”
In an envelope labeled “3.” Also includes score pages attached to a receipt from the Federal Music Project, a separate score page, orchestral mastersheets, and masters for interlude parts and speech parts, as well as a copy of the libretto for the music drama “Maid of the North.”
Two spiral-bound copies.
In a bound folder labeled “Music Graphics Press – Rental Library.” Includes 1st flute, 2nd flute (piccolo), violin I, timpani, harp or piano, trombone, 2nd Bb trumpet, 1st Bb trumpet, 1st oboe, 2nd oboe (English horn), 1st Bb clarinet, 2nd Bb clarinet(Bb bass clarinet), 1st and 2nd bassoon (2 copies), 1st horn in F, 2nd horn in F, violin I (2 copies), violin II (3 copies), viola (2 copies), cello (2 copies), bass (2 copies), and mixed chorus (17 copies).
Six spiral-bound copies; one is designated as an “editor’s copy.”
Seven spiral-bound copies.
Thirty-two copies.
In a spiral-bound notebook.
In a spiral-bound notebook.
Includes a German-language receipt and a German-language letter to Frederick Guthrie from Universal Edition A.G.
Spiral-bound copy.
Spiral-bound copy.
In three envelopes labeled “6,” “7,” and “8.”
Spiral-bound copy.
Spiral-bound copy.
The outside of the envelope includes handwritten notes.
The label on the envelope has the date “February 20, 1946” marked out and “May 1958 completed” written in.
Also includes “Variations on Two Twelve-Tone Rows.”
Sheet music, with notations, for “I Hear America Singing,” “The Year’s at the Spring,” “Sonata for Violin and Piano,” “Paul Bunyon,” and “Trio for Harp, Flute, and Viola or Clarinet”/“Trio for Flute, Viola (or Clarinet) and Harp.”
Described as a “music drama in one act.” Originally titled “William Wallace.”
Multiple copies of sheet music for “Something Old, Something New” and “Sonatina for Piano,” as well as a spreadsheet regarding the sheet music.
(1) “Nancy Hanks”; (2) “The Year’s at the Spring”; (3) “Indian Serenade”; (4) “When Soft Voices Die”; (5) “Lament”; (6) “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls”; (7) “I Lived with Visions”; (8) “How Do I Love Thee”; (9) “I Want a Man”; (10) “All the Souls in Heaven”; (11) “A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal”; (12) “To a Skylark”; (13) “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”; (14) “If Truth in Hearts that Perish”; (15) “The Solitary Reaper”; (16) “Meeting at Night”; (17) “Parting at Morning”; (18) “Remember”; (19) “O Mistress Mine”; (20) “Tempt Me No More”; and (21) “Loveliest of Trees”
Two records. One is labeled “I & II”; the other is labeled “III.”
Three records labeled sides 1-6; ten copies of side 1/side 2; eight copies of side 3/side 4; two copies of side 5/side 6.
Two records labeled sides 1-4; three copies of each record.
Seven copies. Ruger’s compositions are one side; the other side has compositions by other composers. Side 1 – (1) “Piano Sonata” and (2) “Suite for Piano, No. 2.”
Two copies. One side of each is labeled “The Year’s at the Spring” and “Betty Olsson.” The other side of one is labeled “Nancy Hanks” and “Piano Sonata.”
Labeled Reel 46 of 54. Includes a sheet with track listings. Notes:
Labeled Reel 23 of 54. Note: San Diego Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Labeled Reel 9 of 54.
Labeled Reel 38 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 39 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 41 of 54. Includes a copy of the program. Notes:
Labeled Reel 42 of 54. Includes a copy of the program. Notes:
Labeled Reel 21 of 54. Includes a sheet with track listings. Notes:
Labeled Reel 22 of 54.
Labeled Reel 19 of 54.
Labeled Reel 20 of 54.
Labeled Reel 18 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 24 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 25 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 26 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 2 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 34 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 1 of 54. Note: Julian Musafia, conducting the CSCLB Women’s Chorus.
Labeled Reel 37 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 43 of 54. Includes a copy of the program. Notes:
Labeled Reel 44 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 45 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 47 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 27 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 28 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 29 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 35 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 49 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 31 of 54. Notes:
Labeled 55-XL. Includes track listings photocopied from Volume I of Morris Hutchins Ruger (see below). Note: Betty Olsson, soprano; Galen Lurwich, piano.
Labeled 56-XL. Includes track listings photocopied from Volume I of Morris Hutchins Ruger (see below). Notes:
Labeled 57-XL. Includes a tape legend from Microsonics and a page of handwritten notes. Note: Master tape recordings for long playing records; Microsonics, 4935 Elsa Road, San Diego City College, Recital Hall.
Labeled Reel 36 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 30 of 54. Note: Frank Ahrold, piano.
Labeled Reel 11 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 15 of 54. Includes a sheet with track listings. Notes:
Labeled Reel 16 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 32 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 13 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 14 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 14 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 53 of 54 and “record: side 5 of 6.” Includes a sheet with track listings. Notes:
Labeled Reel 10 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 12 of 54. Note: Artists unknown.
Labeled Reel 17 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 51 of 54 and “record, side 3 of 6.” Includes a sheet with track listings. Notes:
Labeled Reel 52 of 54 and “4 of 6.” Includes a sheet with track listings. Notes:
Labeled Reel 4 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 5 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 6 of 54. Includes a sheet with track listings. Notes:
Labeled Reel 3 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 8 of 54. Note: Los Angeles Conservatory student performance.
Labeled Reel 40 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 50 of 54 and “Record: 1 of 6.” Includes a sheet with track listings. Notes:
Labeled Reel 33 of 54. Notes: (1) Marvelee, Cariage, soprano; (2) Daniel Cariaga, piano.
Labeled Reel 48 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 7 of 54. Notes:
Labeled Reel 54 of 54 and “Record: side 6 of 6.” Includes a sheet with track listings and a sheet with three Wordsworth poems – “A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal,” “The Solitary Reaper,” and “To a Skylark.” Notes:
Additional notes for Reel 7:
Additional notes for Reel 11:
Two copies. One copy includes the following notes:
Note: “A Stone, a Leaf, a Door” recorded from Reels 42 and 4.
Note: Premiere performance – Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Los Angeles.
Two copies.
Notes:
A post-it attached to the cassette cover says, “Speed slow – faulty.”
Notes:
Notes:
Notes:
Note: Recorded from Reel 4.
Notes:
The same tracks as ahcdm_10676_015. The original CD includes liner notes. Notes:
The same tracks as ahcdm_10676_016. Only four of the nine tracks were playable and could be converted from .cda to .wav and then migrated. Includes 2 handwritten notes by Barbara F. Ruger on post-its: “Damaged – abruptly ends during track 5 when CD speeds up and makes strange noises” and “Damaged CD. Damage begins during track 5 – nothing is heard after that. CD speeds way up, etc., etc.”
Digitized from Reel-to-Reel Audio Tapes 21 and 6.
Track 2, which was corrupted, is not the full file.
Digitized from Reel-to-Reel Audio Tapes 46 and 15.
Track 2, which was corrupted, is not the full file.
Digitized from Reel-to-Reel Audio Tapes 51, 52, and 53.
Digitized from Reel-to-Reel Audio Tapes 50 and 54.
Digitized from Reel-to-Reel Audio Tapes 24, 25, and 26.
Only two of the seven tracks were playable and could be converted from .cda to .wav and then migrated.
Also includes a page of handwritten notes and a postcard with a picture of a Mike Fink Keel Boat from Disneyland.
Also includes a copy of a letter regarding the program.
In a 3-ring notebook labeled “Volume 2 – Morris Hutchins Ruger – Press and Programs.”
In a 3-ring notebook labeled “Volume 3 – Morris Hutchins Ruger – Press and Programs.”
Three copies; two are spiral bound.
Labeled “not up-to-date” and “unpublished as of 9-1-74 – see Dr. Keating for revised version.”
Also includes multiple copies of “What to Submit and How” from Prentice-Hall, Inc., as well as handwritten notes.
Includes a prospectus, drafts of some chapters, and a copy of a letter from an editor at Prentice-Hall, Inc., regarding the book. The folder in which the materials were received included the following note: “Creative Harmony MS returned from Prentice Hall Pub. Via George Muldoon – Sept. 23, 1983.”
Also includes a draft of “Morris Hutchins Ruger – a Survey of His Musical Life” by Daniel P. Cariaga.
Four hardcover copies. Two copies include the notation “Cut copy – used for revisions.” Another copy originally included the following note: “Save!! This is the one and only complete ‘Harmony’ book in the collection. Hold on to it!! B.F.R. [Barbara F. Ruger] The other two book are ‘cut copies’ used for revisions.”
Includes multiple copies of Ruger’s article “Musical Inferiority Complex,” which was published in the June 1960 issue of “Music of the West” magazine, as well as a concert review of a program of Ruger’s compositions that was published in the March 1954 issue of the same magazine. Also includes an issue of “Saturday” Review” with handwritten notations on an article by Alexander Janta.
Ruger composed the score for this short film by painter Francis Caldwell. A note on the canister says, “The soundtrack is missing, as is the orchestral score by MHR.”
Documents regarding Barbara F. Ruger’s attempts to find information on the film. Includes a draft of an email that she sent to the UCLA Film & Television Archive regarding the film. According to a 2006 handwritten note on the draft, the Archive was unable to locate either the film with a soundtrack or Ruger’s original music manuscript.
Includes handwritten notations.
Includes a 1974 note from Barbara F. Ruger regarding “direct line of descent from Sir Alexander Spotswood to” Ruger.
Includes a 1974 note from Barbara F. Ruger saying that the book was marked by Ruger for use in his suite.
Ruger is listed on pg. 248.
Includes a 1974 note from Barbara F. Ruger saying that the book was marked by Ruger for use in his cantata.
Ruger is listed on pg. 319.
Ruger is listed on pp. 358-359.
“Former student of MHR and friend.”
“Harpist. Theory of MHR. Husband Frank recorded MHR’s works.”
“Soprano performer of MHR’s works.”
“First wife of MHR, divorced 1954.”
“Many years a private composition student of MHR.”
Robinson, a sportswriter, wrote the libretto for “Gettysburg.” Includes three short letters from his wife Beth to Ruger and Barbara F. Ruger, as well his obituary.
“Grandson.”
“Daughter.”
“Theory student of MHR and friend of Morris and Barbara.”
“First and favored granddaughter.”
“Soprano, performed in ‘Usher,’ theory student of MHR, and friend.”
“Pianist, performed works of MHR and friend of Morris and Barbara.”
“Chairman, Music Dept CSULB. Friends of Morris and Barbara.”
“Colleague at LBCC and old friends of Morris and Barbara.”
“Istanbul landlords of Morris and Barbara.”
“Sister.”
“Chairman, Art Department SDSU, friends of Morris and Barbara.”
“Parisian artist friend.”
“Art instructor at CSULb and friend.”
“Colleague of MHR developing the L.A. Conservatory of Music, violinist, and friend of M. and B.”
“Theory student of MHR and friend of Morris and Barbara.”
“Former wife of Hormoz Farhat – Colleague of MHR at CSULB.”
“Co-author of MHR Harmony book and friend.”
“Colleague of MHR at Ro[b]ert College, Istanbul, bass performed MHR’s works.”
“Soprano who performed MHR’s works.”
“Wife of Arthur Robinson, librettist of ‘Gettysburg’ opera.”
Mostly cards and letters that Barbara F. Ruger received following Ruger’s death.
Labeled “envelope 1.” Includes photos of Sir Alexander Spotswood and Lady Spotswood with notes about each.
In a 3-ring notebook labeled “Volume 4 – Morris Hutchins Ruger – Ancestors – Photos, Letters, and Genealogy.”
Labeled “env. 2.”
Labeled “env. 4.”
Labeled “env. 9.”
Labeled “env. 3.” Ruger’s father. “Died when Morris at the age of seven. There are very few pictures of Frank H. Ruger.”
Labeled “env. 5.” “‘Uncle Harry,’ with whom Morris Hutchins Ruger lived and was brought up after his father died, when Morris was seven years old. ‘Uncles Harry’ was Frank H. Ruger’s younger brother.”
Labeled “env. 6.” Ruger’s mother.
Labeled “env. 7.” Includes photos of son Robert Morris Ruger and daughter Diane Spotswood Ruger. Also includes a photo of a painting of Ruger at a piano by painter Francis Caldwell, who made the film “The Founding of the West,” which Ruger scored.
Labeled “env. 8.”
Also includes photos of a painting of Ruger at a piano by painter Francis Caldwell, who made the film “The Founding of the West,” which Ruger scored.
In a 3-ring notebook labeled “Volume 5 – Morris Hutchins Ruger – Professional Photos and Letters.” Includes a music program signed by Igor Stravinsky and the front page and one section of “The Los Angeles Times” from December 8, 1941.
In a 3-ring notebook labeled “Volume 6 – Morris Hutchins Ruger – Photos.”
In folder 1.
In folder 2.
Two hardcover copies. One copy includes the following note: “2nd draft – incomplete – revision in work as of 12/2/99 – BFR – revised edition to be sent to AHC when ready.”
In a 3-ring notebook that includes drafts of chapters for Volume I.
Two hardcover copies.
Includes Ruger’s membership cards for various organizations, a copy of the 1970 directory “The Music Teachers’ Association of California,” and correspondence regarding Ruger’s various affiliations.
Includes a handwritten draft of his article “Musical Inferiority Complex.”
Includes a letter from Dr. Leonard J. Gosink, Department of Neurology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, regarding an autopsy on Ruger, as well as later printouts on supranuclear palsy.
Correspondence, handwritten notes, and other documents regarding a proposed agreement between Balestrieri and Barbara F. Ruger for publications of some of Ruger’s musical compositions. Also includes several issues of “Accordion Quarterly,” which Balestrieri edited, and sheet music, published by Music Graphics Press, for several of Ruger’s compositions.
Cariaga, a classical-music critic of the “Los Angeles Times,” wrote the essay “Morris Hutchins Ruger: A Survey of His Musical Life” for Volume I of Barbara F. Ruger’s
Includes Ruger’s credentials from the California Board of State Education, certificates from the Music Teachers Association of California, Inc., and the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc., as well as transcripts of Ruger’s grades from Columbia University and Northwestern University.
A handwritten list of dedications for some of Ruger’s musical works.
Includes a list of schools attended by Ruger, a faculty record report for Ruger from the National Association of Schools of Music, and materials sent to Ruger from Northwestern University, where he earned his M.S. in 1930, six years after his death.
Three copies of Greer’s master’s thesis (California State University, Long Beach). Greer also wrote “Morris Hutchins Ruger: A Biographical Chronology” for Volume I of Barbara F. Ruger’s
Handwritten notes.
Printout of chapter 1 from Volume I of Barbara F. Ruger’s
Includes correspondence, clippings, and programs.
Waddell did notation work on some of Ruger’s compositions.
Three copies of Ruger’s “Suite for Clarinet and Bassoon, ” published by Music Graphics Press, as well as “Instrumental Music Catalogue” from Music Graphics Press, which lists multiple works by Ruger.
These files, which came from Encore music software, display music notations. The AHC is unable to open these files and is leaving them as is. The 3½ disc on which the AHC received the files included the following handwritten note, dated January 24, 1997: “Errors in ‘Modal Suite’, pages 9-17-22-25 (see letter to Dan Waddell) – Dan will send corrected floppy if needed.”
Flier and form letter promoting Ruger’s private classes in musicianship.
Includes program notes and programs for, as well as reviews of, performances of Ruger’s compositions, as well as handwritten notes and telegrams. Also includes a printout of chapter 4 from Volume I of Barbara F. Ruger’s
Printouts of chapters 2 and 3 from Volume I of Barbara F. Ruger’s
Includes clippings and typewritten excerpts of reviews of performances of Ruger’s works.
Ruger’s uncle, known as “Uncle Harry.”
Includes the dust jacket from a copy of the Thomas Wolfe book and book plates.
Also includes letters and other documents regarding Ruger’s teaching appointments, as well as his Social Security card.
Includes printouts of “Text to the Art Songs of Morris Hutchin Ruger” and “Text to the Choral Works of Morris Hutchins Ruger,” both of which appear in Volume II of Barbara F. Ruger’s
Certifying Ruger as an honorary member.
Barbara F. Ruger’s master’s thesis (CSULB) “with photos of eight etchings inspired by Morris Hutchins Ruger’s cantata for chorus and orchestra: ‘A Stone, a Leaf, a Door,’ text by Thomas Wolfe.”
Ten JPEG files of pictures from the master’s thesis.
A PDF titled “Mailing List of 100 Morris Hutchins Ruger LP Album, February 20, 2016 – Compiled by B.F. Ruger.”
Lists Ruger’s “Something Old, Something New” as part of the Teaching Repertoire Workshop.
In folder 4.
A small, plastic trophy on wooden base.
Includes correspondence, handwritten notes, and materials about the AHC that the AHC sent to Barbara F. Ruger.
In folder 3.
In folder 3.
In folder 3.
In folder 3.
Also includes copies of the prospectus for the proposed book
In folder 3.