Department of Music and Dance records
05.DMD

 Records of the Music Conservatory

Summary Information

Repository
Eastern Michigan University Archives
Creator
Eastern Michigan University.
Creator
Michigan State Normal College.
Title
Department of Music and Dance records
ID
05.DMD
Date [inclusive]
1879-2011
Extent
2.0 Linear feet 2 record center cartons
Language
English
Abstract
The Department of Music and Dance collection documents the Conservatory of Music, the Music Department and lastly the Music and Dance department at Eastern Michigan University from 1879 until 2011. Materials are arranged into eight series:   Administrative Files includes, department information regarding instructors, program materials and evaluation; music course books and a Teachers’ Music Certificate book;  Budget and Finance; Community Bands; Correspondence; Newsletters; Press; Concert Programs; and  Promotional Materials. This is not a complete record of the Department of Music and Dance.

Preferred Citation note

Please cite materials from the University Archives in the following manner: Item. Collection Title. Eastern Michigan University Archives.

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Historical Note

The Michigan State Normal School was founded in 1854 and in the second year, musical instruction began. Albert Miller was the first director of the program which was housed in 'Old Pierce Hall.' He taught harmony and composition as there were no musical instruments.

In 1858, Ezra Meade Foote took over the program and promoted the study of popular music. Foote is credited with starting the first Normal choir, a source of civic pride. Frederic Pease, for which Pease Auditorium is named, became the third director of the music program and expanded it to include instruction in piano-forte, organ, melodeon and harmony, and an advanced course for teachers in “graded and district schools” as well as lessons on the violin. In 1881, during Pease's tenure, the State Board of Education authorized creation of a Conservatory of Music which allowed for advanced instruction, and application of skills in the Normal School's training school. Pease developed the first four-year music program at the School, implemented a series of events for the community such as weekly public recitals, an annual community concert by the Normal Choir, private lessons for local citizens, and the inclusion of local talent in the chorus and orchestra. Pease ran the program from 1863 until his death in 1909.

Frederick Alexander, for which the Alexander Music Building is named, took over the program in 1909. Alexander continued the tradition of community singing with the Normal Choir. In response to the growing interest in band and orchestral music in the public schools, Alexander expanded the program to include instrumental music education in the curriculum. He also oversaw the building and opening of the Frederic H. Pease Auditorium in 1915, a venue that drew not only campus events and performers but also groups and individuals of national and international prominence. The Detroit Symphony, Duke Ellington, John Philip Sousa, Pearl Bailey, Joffrey Ballet, Victor Borge, Cornelia Otis Skinner, Philadelphia Orchestra, Julian Bond, Shirley Chisholm, and Winton Marsalis all performed in the Pease Auditorium. Frederick Alexander retired in 1941 and when he died in 1955 he left a bequest of $90,000 to Eastern Michigan College.

Haydn Morgan, replaced Alexander in 1941. A noted educator, choral conductor, author and composer, Morgan brought with him a commitment to the goals of music education, with a renewed emphasis on the proper training of young voices. In 1955, the Conservatory name changed, becoming the Department of Music at Eastern Michigan College. Morgan established the EMU Choir, Women’s Chorus, Men’s Glee Club, Freshmen Girl’s Vocal Ensemble, the Madrigal Singers and the EMU-Civic Symphony Orchestra. Morgan remained department head for 22 years.

Howard Rarig was the director of the Department from 1965-1971. During Rarig’s six years of service he credited with laying the groundwork for hiring applied music specialists on each instrument and became one of the first administrators to recognize the importance of development activities in support of department scholarships. James B. Hause, a recruit from Western Michigan University and oversaw the construction of the Alexander Music Building, completed in 1981, bringing together all of the Music Department faculty who had previously been housed in three different buildings on campus. In addition, during his 23 year tenure he saw the renovation of Pease Auditorium in the early 1990s. Hause retired in 1994.

Gordon McQuere, program director from 1996-2001, helped organize the 1996 alumni festival "Encore" to reopen the restored Pease Auditorium. In 2001, David Woike’s took over as director of the Department of Music which would become, during his tenure, the Department of Music and Dance. Woike retired in 2011. Diane L. Winder has been acting the interim Department Head since 2012.

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Scope and Contents note

The Department of Music and Dance documents the Music Conservancy, Music Department and the Department of Music and Dance at Eastern Michigan University from 1879 until 2011. The collection is broken into eight series:  Administrative Files, Budget and Finance, Community Bands, Correspondence, Newsletters, Press, Concert Programs, and  Promotional Materials.

The Administrative Files series contains a Calendar of Events, Conservatory of Music Course Books, Degree Requirements, Evaluation, Fliers, Forms and Applications, Recital Ticket Stubs, and Stationary.  Budget and Finance series includes Financial Statement of the Normal College Little Symphony, Pay Roll of Conservatory Teachers, and Receipts. The  Community Bands series is comprised of the Barnhill Concert Band programs and Community Music Academy.  Correspondence series spans from 1979 until 2011. The   Newsletters series is comprised of four different newsletters that were given out by the music and dance department including Band Alumni EMUBAA, ConBrio, The Courier, and Music at EMU.

The Press series is comprised of newspaper clippings from 1980 until 2011 and News Releases from 1990 until 1999.  Concert Programs series includes programs from the years 1879 until 2011, with gaps for the years 1897-1899, 1923-1931, and 1943-1964. The  Promotional Materials series includes Pamphlets and Postcards promoting upcoming shows put on by the Department of Music and Dance at Eastern Michigan University.

The collection is not a complete record of the program. There are no substantial records in the collection from program directors, any materials pertaining to the directors, such as Pease or Alexander, can be found in the biographical files stored in the University Archives.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Eastern Michigan University Archives 2012 Janurary 23

Halle Library, Room 310
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197
734-487-0020

Conditions Governing Access note

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Materials note

Any materials pertaining to the directors, such as Pease or Alexander, can be found in the biographical files stored in the University Archives.

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Controlled Access Headings

Subject(s)

  • Concert programs.
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Eastern Michigan University. Symphonic Band
  • Michigan State Normal College
  • Michigan State Normal School
  • Music--Instruction and study.

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Collection Inventory

Administrative Files 

Calendar of Events 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 1

Conservatory of Music Course Books 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 2

Degree Requirements 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 3

Departmental Information-Website 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 4

Evaluation 1999 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 5

Events 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 6

Faculty and Staff 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 7

Faculty Meeting Minutes 1973 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 8

Fliers 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 9

Forms and Applications 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 10

Handbook 1999-2000 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 11

Historical Highlights 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 12

Invitations 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 13

Media Guides 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 14

Music Therapy Center 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 15

Program Proposal 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 16

Recital Ticket Stubs 1884-1885 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 17

Scholarships 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 18

Stationary 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 19

Teachers' Music Certificate book 


    Box Object
Text (32307023991905)   1 20

Ticket Stubs and Donation Forms 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 21

Visiting Musicians 1970-1979 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 22

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Budget and Finance 

Financial Statement of the Normal College Little Symphony 1932-1933 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 22

Pay Roll of Conservatory Teachers 1941-1944 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 23

Reciepts 1885-1900 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 24

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Community Bands 

Barnhill Concert Band Programs 1998-2003 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 25

Community Music Academy 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 26

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Correspondence 

 1979-2011 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 27-29

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Newsletters 

Band Alumni EMUBAA 1994-2006 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 30

ConBrio 1985 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 31

The Courier 1999 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 32

Music at EMU 1993-1996 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 33

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Press 

Undated 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 34

 1980-1989 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 35

 1992-1999 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 36

News Releases 1990-1999 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 37

 2000-2011 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 38-40

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Concert Programs 

 1879-1896 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 41

 1900-1922 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 42

 1932-1942 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 43

 1965-2011 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991905)   1 44-50
    Box Folder
Text (32307023991913)   2 1-16

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Promotional Materials 

Announcements, Brochuers 1993-1995 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991913)   2 17

Pamphlets 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991913)   2 18

Postcards 


    Box Folder
Text (32307023991913)   2 19

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