University Bands Collection

Overview

Scope and Contents

Biographical Note

Subject Terms

Detailed Description

Instruments

Photographs

Uniforms

Ephemera

Music

Pressbooks

University of Illinois Band Films and Audiovisual Recordings

Bound Concert Programs

University of Illinois Band Videocassettes

Administrative Records

Direct Cut Discs


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Finding Aid for University Bands Collection, circa 1840-2021 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Tracy Parish, Adriana Cuervo, Kelly A. Carlson, and William Fisher

RequestSubmit request (Aeon) | email Email us about these papers | printer Print this information

Collection Overview

Title: University Bands Collection, circa 1840-2021View associated digital content.

ID: 12/9/93

Primary Creator: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. University Bands

Extent: 114.85 cubic feet

Arrangement: Arranged by type of material.

Date Acquired: 09/16/2004. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Band Department, Brass Instruments, Chief Illiniwek, Clarke, Herbert L., Goldman, Edwin Franko, Harding, Albert Austin, Illinois Summer Youth Music, Musical Instrument Collections, Musical Instrument Makers - Europe, Musical Instrument Makers - United States, Radio Station - WILL, Sousa, John Philip, Summer Youth Music, Woodwind Instruments

Formats/Genres: Papers

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Includes musical instruments, band uniforms, photographs, music, newsclippings, audiovisual recordings, concert programs, and administrative records that document the University of Illinois Bands Department since its creation in 1905. The 1982 Chief Illiniwek Artifacts were deaccessioned in 2009. The three boxes of administrative records include band conference and clinic programs, festival adjudications, Illinois commencement programs and band concerts, Marching Illini programs, ISYM programs, and WILL Radio broadcasts that were managed by the Assistant Directors of Bands between 1956 and 1974, including Eldon Oyen who joined the University Bands staff in 1969.

Biographical Note

The University of Illinois Military Band was established in 1870 for the purpose of providing music for functions within the military department of the Illinois Industrial University. From 1868 to 1894, the band was administered by student leaders and from 1895 to 1904 was led by various university faculty members. From 1905-1907, the band was led by Albert Austin Harding, who was an undergraduate in engineering.

In 1907, Harding was named the first director of bands, serving in this role for over forty years (1907-1948) and leading the band to a position of national prominence. Under Harding, the University of Illinois band became the first band to perform at a collegiate baseball game (1906) and a collegiate football game (1907); one of the few collegiate bands to receive a march written by John Philip Sousa (1929); and a laboratory ensemble for many of Harding's mentees, which included William D. Revelli, Frederick Fennell, Clarence Sawhill, Ray Dvorak, and Glen Cliffe Bainum. In 1929, Harding became one of the founding members of the American Bandmasters Association.

In 1932, upon the death of John Philip Sousa, Sousa left his vast library of sheet music and original manuscripts in the care of the University of Illinois Band. In 1955, the Band Department had grown so large that they required a new building to be constructed. In 1958 the Harding Band Building was completed, becoming the first permanent building specifically constructed for a collegiate band program in the country.

Subsequent directors of the Band Department include: Mark H. Hindsley (1948-1970), Harry Begian (1970-1984), James F. Keene (1985-2008), Abel Saldivar Ramirez (2008-2009), Robert Rumbelow (2009-2014), Linda Moorhouse (2014-2015), Stephen Peterson (2015-2022), and Kevin Geraldi (2022- ). The University Band Department also saw the rise of several important assistant directors and directors of the Marching Illini, including: Ray Dvorak, Glen Cliffe Bainum, Clarence Sawhill, Everett Kisinger, Guy Duker, Eldon Oyen, Harvey Herman, Gary E. Smith, Ken Steinsultz, Peter Griffin, Tom Cavena, Roby George, Barry Houser, Jesse Leyva, Elizabeth Peterson, and Kimberly Fleming.

The Band Department is currently a unit of the University of Illinois School of Music, which is in turn a unit of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Ensembles under the administration of the Band Department include the UI Wind Symphony, two symphonic bands, three concert bands, a British Brass Band, Clarinet Choir, the UI Basketball Band, the Orange & Blues and the Marching Illini.

Subject/Index Terms

Band Department
Brass Instruments
Chief Illiniwek
Clarke, Herbert L.
Goldman, Edwin Franko
Harding, Albert Austin
Illinois Summer Youth Music
Musical Instrument Collections
Musical Instrument Makers - Europe
Musical Instrument Makers - United States
Radio Station - WILL
Sousa, John Philip
Summer Youth Music
Woodwind Instruments

Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Instruments],
[Series 2: Photographs],
[Series 3: Uniforms],
[Series 4: Ephemera, 1912-2000],
[Series 5: Music],
[Series 6: Pressbooks],
[Series 7: University of Illinois Band Films and Audiovisual Recordings, 1932-2004],
[Series 8: Bound Concert Programs, 1906-1985],
[Series 9: University of Illinois Band Videocassettes, 1979-1999],
[Series 10: Administrative Records, 1906-2010],
[Series 11: Direct Cut Discs, 1937-1956],
[All]

Series 3: Uniforms
Textile Box 6
Item 1: Navy Blue Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.037.
Oversize Textile Box 1
Item 1: University of Illinois Bands Drum Major Jacket

Maker: DeMoulin Brothers

Orange women's jacket with reversible placket and white and navy trim.

2011.120993.135A-B

Item 2: University of Illinois Bands Drum Major Shorts

Maker: DeMoulin Brothers

Ivory women's shorts with navy trim.

2011.120993.133

Item 3: University of Illinois Bands Shorts

Maker: The Band Man's Company

Ivory women's shorts with navy and orange trim.

2011.120993.134

Oversize Textile Box 15
Item 1: UI Bands Drum Major Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.007.
Item 2: UI Bands Drum Major
Item 3: Marching Illini Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.009.
Item 4: Navy Blue UI Bands Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.010.
Item 5: Navy Blue UI Bands Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.011.
Oversize Textile Box 16
Item 1: Chief Illinwek Artifact -Tunic, 1930
Materials:Buck Skin/Beads/Felt. Accession No. 2007.120993.047A.
Item 2: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Pants, 1930
Materials:Buck Skin/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047B.
Item 3: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Chest Plate, 1930
Materials:Bone/Leather/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047C.
Item 4: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Sash, 1930
Materials:Leather/Fur/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047D.
Item 5: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Sash, 1930
Materials:Leather/Fur/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047E.
Item 6: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Moccasins, 1930
Materials:Leather/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047F.
Item 7: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Hair Sample, 1930
Accession No. 2007.120993.047G.
Oversize Textile Box 17
Item 1: UI Band Overcoat
Accession No. 2007.120993.018.
Oversize Textile Box 18
Item 1: UI Band Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.019.
Oversize Textile Box 19
Item 1: Marching Illini Uniform Blazer, Ca. 1957-1967
Accession No. 2007.120993.013A.
Item 2: Marching Illini Uniform Pants, Ca. 1957-1967
Accession No. 2007.120993.013B.
Oversize Textile Box 20
Item 1: University of Illinois Bands Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.014.
Oversize Textile Box 21
Item 1: Navy University of Illinois Bands Blazer, Ca. 1937-1947
Accession No. 2007.120993.015A.
Item 2: Navy University of Illinois Bands Pants, Ca. 1937-1947
Accession No. 2007.120993.015B.
Oversize Textile Box 22
Item 1: Black Univeristy of Illinois Bands Overcoat
Accession No. 2007.120993.016.
Oversize Textile Box 23
Item 1: Blue University of Illinois Bands Overcoat
Accession No. 2007.120993.017.
Oversize Textile Box 24
Item 1: University of Illinois Band Uniform Pants
Henry Urban written on inner tag. Accession No. 2007.120993.020.
Item 2: University of Illinois Band Uniform Pants
Accession No. 2007.120993.006.
Item 3: University of Illinois Calf Length Uniform Pants
Accession No. 2007.120993.005.
Item 4
Oversize Textile Box 25
Item 1: University of Illinois Band Uniform Pants
Accession No. 2007.120993.021.
Oversize Textile Box 26
Item 1: University of Illinois Bands Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.003.
Oversize Textile Box 27
Item 1: University of Illinois Bands Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.002.
Oversize Textile Box 28
Item 1: University of Illinois Bands Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.001.
Oversize Textile Box 29
Item 1: University of Illinois Bands Blazer with "Illinois" Arm Band
Accession No. 2007.120993.004A.
Item 2: University of Illinois Bands Tie
Accession No. 2007.120993.004B.
Item 3: University of Illinois Bands Uniform Pants
Accession No. 2007.120993.004C.
Oversize Textile Box 30
Item 1: Navy UI Band Pants
Accession No. 2007.120993.046A.
Item 2: Navy UI Band Blazer
Accession No. 2007.120993.046B.
Oversize Textile Box 31
Item 1: Chief Illiniwek Artifact - Head Dress, 1930
Materials: Leather, Eagle Feathers, Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047H. Inside of headdress contains signatures of 24 portrayers: Lester Leutwiler (Chief I); Albert W. Borchers (II) with note: "This suit first worn Nov. 8, 1930 at Yankee Stadium, Illini vs. Army"; William A. Newton (III); Edward C. Kalb (IV); John Grable (V); Glenn P. Holthaus (VI); Idelle Stith Brooks (Princess VII); Kenneth Hanks (VII); Robert Bitzer (VIII); Robert Bischoff (IX); James A. Down (X); Bill Hug (XI); Gaylord Spotts (XII); Ron Kaiser (XIII); John Forsyth (XIV); Ben Forsyth (XV); Fred H. Cash (XVI) with note: "Last worn Sept. 30, 1967, Memorial Stadium, Illinois vs. Pittsburg"; Rick Legue (XVII); Gary Simpson (XVIII); John Bitzer (XIX); Matthew Gawne (XXI); Peter Marzek (XXII); Scott Christensen (XXIII); and William D. Forsyth (XXIV).
Oversize Textile Box 32
Item 1: Orange Spats
Name "Alfred Hoepe" written on tag inside. Accession No. 2007.120993.012.
Item 2: Orange Marching Illini Belt
Accession No. 2007.120993.026.
Item 3: Pair of Orange Marching Band Gloves
Accession No. 2007.120993.027A-B.
Item 4: Pair of White Marching Band Gloves
Accession No. 2007.120993.028A-B.
Item 5: Blue UI Bands Wedge Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.029.
Item 6: White Marching Band Plume
Accession No. 2007.120993.035.
Oversize Textile Box 33
Item 1: Frederick Fennell Marching Illini Jacket
Accession No. 2007.120993.048.
Oversize Textile Box 34
Item 1: Chief Illiniwek Artifact - Tunic, 1968
Animal Skin with Extensive Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.050A.
Item 2: Chief Illiniwek Artifact - Pants, 1968
Animal Skin with Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.050B.
Item 3: Chief Illiniwek Artifact - Gloves, 1968
Animal Skin with Extensive Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.050C-D.
Item 4: Chief Illiniwek Artifact - Suspenders
Blue Elastic with Metal Clips. Accession No. 2007.120993.050E.
Oversize Textile Box 35
Item 1: Chief Illiniwek Artifact - Tunic, 1982
Buck Skin, Felt and Bead Work. The 1982 Fools Crow Chief Illiniwek Artifact was deaccessioned on October 2, 2009 by directive of the Chancellor's Office. Accession No. 2007.120993.051A.
Item 2: Chief Illiniwek Artifact - Leggings, 1982
Buck skin and elastic. The 1982 Fools Crow Chief Illiniwek Artifact was deaccessioned on October 2, 2009 by directive of the Chancellor's Office. Accession No. 2007.120993.051B.
Item 3: Chief Illiniwek Artifact - Gloves, 1982
Animal Skin and Bead Work. The 1982 Fools Crow Chief Illiniwek Artifact was deaccessioned on October 2, 2009 by directive of the Chancellor's Office. Accession No. 2007.120993.051C-D.
Oversize Textile Box 36
Item 1: Marching Illini Uniform Overlay, undated
White with an orange I in the center. Accession No. 2007.120993.049.
Textile Box 1
Item 1: Navy Blue Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.031.
Textile Box 2
Series 1: Royal Blue Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.032.
Textile Box 3
Item 1: Black Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.033.
Textile Box 4
Item 1: Navy Blue Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.034.
Textile Box 5
Item 1: Navy Blue Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.036.
Textile Box 7
Item 1: Navy Blue Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.038.
Textile Box 8
Item 1: Black Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.039.
Textile Box 9
Item 1: Orange and Navy Blue Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.040.
Textile Box 10
Item 1: Navy Blue Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.041.
Textile Box 11
Item 1: White Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.042.
Textile Box 12
Item 1: Black Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.043.
Textile Box 13
Item 1: Navy Blue Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.044.
Textile Box 14
Item 1: Black Band Hat
Accession No. 2007.120993.045.
Textile Box 54
Item 1: Chief Illiniwek Artifact - Glove, undated
Materials: Leather, Bead Work
Textile Box 67
Item 1: Marching Illini Hat, ca. 1980
2012.120993.001
Item 2: Marching Illini Hat, ca. 1990
2012.120993.002
Oversize Textile Box 43
Item 1: University of Illinois Band Uniform, Undated

Maker: Jacob Reed's Sons, Inc.: Gold Medal Uniforms

Name U.L. Phelps on tag inside pocket

2008.120993.023A-B

Item 2: University of Illinois Band Uniform, Undated

Maker: De Moulin Bros

2008.120993.24A-B

Textile Box 68
Item 1: University Bands Uniform Bib pants, 2008-2021
Item 2: University Bands Uniform guantlet left, 2008-2021
Item 3: University Bands Uniform gauntlet right, 2008-2021
Textile Box 69
Item 1: University Bands Uniform jacket, cape, sash, 2008-2021
Item 2: University Bands Uniform plume for Shako hat, 2008-2021
Textile Box 70
Item 1: University Bands Uniform Shako hat, 2008-2021
Box 76
Item 1: Marching Illini Mask/Gaiter, 2020
Accession No. 2023.120993.001.
Item 2: Marching Illini Mask with Elastic Straps, 2020
Accession No. 2023.120993.002.
Item 3: Marching Illini Mask with Neoprene Straps, 2020
Accession No. 2023.120993.003.
Box 77
Item 1: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Chest Plate, Undated
2023.120993.001A
Item 2: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Chest Plate, Undated
2023.120993.001B
Item 3: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Necklace, Undated
2023.120993.001C
Item 4: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Necklace, Undated
2023.120993.001D
Item 5: Chief Illinwek Artifact - Necklace, Undated
2023.120993.001E
Box 78
Item 1: Fighting Illini Makeup Case with Makeup, Undated
2023.120993.002A
Item 2: White Face Makeup, Undated
2023.120993.002B
Item 3: Small Red Feathers for Headdress, Undated
2023.120993.003A
Item 4: Large Red Feathers for Headdress, Undated
2023.120993.003B
Item 5: Chief Button Pin, Undated
2023.120993.004A
Item 6: Chief Button Pin, Undated
2023.120993.004B
Item 7: Chief Button Pin, Undated
2023.120993.004C
Item 8: Chief Button Pin, Undated
2023.120993.004D
Box 85
Item 1: Navy Blue Band Hat, ca. 1920s
Accession number 2025.1209093.002. Features hand stiched lyre and UI logo.
Box 86
Folder 3: Homecoming Fossil Buttons, 2002
2 Pin-back Buttons for Homecoming 2002 (Fossil; Alumni Band)

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Instruments],
[Series 2: Photographs],
[Series 3: Uniforms],
[Series 4: Ephemera, 1912-2000],
[Series 5: Music],
[Series 6: Pressbooks],
[Series 7: University of Illinois Band Films and Audiovisual Recordings, 1932-2004],
[Series 8: Bound Concert Programs, 1906-1985],
[Series 9: University of Illinois Band Videocassettes, 1979-1999],
[Series 10: Administrative Records, 1906-2010],
[Series 11: Direct Cut Discs, 1937-1956],
[All]
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