Finding Aid for Austin J. McDowell Music and Papers, 1899-2004 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Austin J. McDowell Music and Papers, 1899-2004

ID: 12/5/86

Primary Creator: McDowell, Austin J. (1920-2013)

Extent: 2.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: Organized into two series: Series 1: Musical and Professional Papers, 1899-2001; organized into four sub-series: Sub-Series 1: UIUC Faculty Papers, 1936-2001, arranged chronologically; Sub-Series 2: Educational Papers, 1938-1983, arranged chronologically; Sub-Series 3: Sheet Music, 1899-1942, arranged by type of material; Sub-Series 4: Summer Camps, 1947-1963, arranged chronologically; and Series 2: Personal and Family Papers, 1943-1984, arranged chronologically.

Date Acquired: 11/20/2023

Subjects: Alumni, Band Department, Bands, Bands (Music), Conductors (Music), Faculty, Faculty Papers, Music, Music, School of, National Music Camp (Interlochen, MI), Navy, United States, Star Course, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, Woodwind Instruments

Formats/Genres: Sheet music

Languages: English, Japanese, Swedish

Consists of pedagogical materials, research papers, correspondence, event programs, and sheet music documenting Austin J. McDowell's musical and professional career, including as Woodwind Instructor and director of the School of Music at UIUC. Also includes newclippings, photographs, and personal papers of McDowell's family members.

Austin Johnston McDowell (1920-2013) was a clarinettist, conductor, and University of Illinois School of Music faculty member (1946-1988) and director (1986-1988). The son of Mary Forbes Johnston and Austin Ormand McDowell, he was born on September 15, 1920, in Heyworth, IL.  After completing his Bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois, he served as a United States Navy pilot during World War II. Following his service, he returned to the University of Illinois, completing his Master's degree in 1946.

In that same year,  McDowell was appointed Woodwind Instructor and Assistant Conductor with the university band program at the University of Illinois. On January 23, 1947, he married Ellen Jane Attebery, with whom he had seven children. He also played regularly with the Illinois Woodwind Quintet and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. In 1976, he became Chairman of the Wind Instrument Division and later served as the Director of the School of Music from 1986 to 1988, retiring shortly thereafter.

Over the summers, McDowell served as a conductor and woodwind instructor at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, MI, The Bemidji Summer Camp in Bemidji, MI, and Western State University in Gunnison, CO. He attended Holy Cross Church in Champaign and was a member of Phi Mu Alpha, Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and the Music Educators National Conference. Despite being struck with Alzheimer's disease later in life, McDowell found great satisfaction in his work with his students. He died at the age of 93 on December 4, 2013, in Urbana, IL

Alumni
Band Department
Bands
Bands (Music)
Conductors (Music)
Faculty
Faculty Papers
Music
Music, School of
National Music Camp (Interlochen, MI)
Navy, United States
Star Course
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
Woodwind Instruments

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Acquisition Source: John McDowell

Acquisition Method: Gift.