Finding Aid for Virginia Root Collection, 1847-1945 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Virginia Root Collection, 1847-1945

ID: 12/9/55

Primary Creator: Root, Virginia (1894-1980)

Extent: 4.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: Materials are arranged in two series: Series 1) Music and Series 2) Memorabilia. Series 1 is further arranged into two sub-series: sub-series 1) Octavo Choral Music, Libretti, and Sheet Music Collections and sub-series 2) Piano/Vocal Sheet Music Collection. Materials in Series 1 are arranged alphabetically by composer. Materials in Series 2 are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Date Acquired: 08/22/2000

Subjects: Concerts, Concert tours, Opera, Sousa, John Philip, Vocal music

Formats/Genres: Correspondence, Librettos, Newspaper Clippings, Papers, Scrapbooks, Sheet music

Languages: English

Consists of sheet music and libretti collected by, performed by, and dedicated to Virginia Root, as well as scrapbooks, correspondence, photographs, news clippings, and journals, documenting her career as a vocal soloist, opera singer, and touring vocalist with the Sousa Band (1909-1917). Of note are original route sheets, correspondence, scrapbooks, and dedications to Root.

Eleanor Virginia Root (1894-1980) was a descendant of entrepreneur Cornelius Vanderbilt and American composer and music publisher George Root. She studied voice and held leading roles in opera productions in Italy and the United States following her graduation from P.S. 157 (St. Nicholas Ave and 157th Street) in New York City on 25 June 1900. Miss Root toured with the Harry Lauder All Star Company, using the stage name, Virginia Vervelle, prior to serving as vocal soloist for the Sousa Band from 1909 through 1917. She was in demand as a soloist in the New York Hippodrome shows in 1916 and 1917, as well as in sacred and secular performances throughout her professional career. Root performed in the "Chapman Concerts" in 1905; those concerts are frequently addressed in clippings and represented by concert programs. Works by artistic director and conductor William Grafton Chapman are among the works in Root's performance collection. Virginia Root married New York Times columnist George T. Macadam, with whom she had a son, George. The family lived in Scarsdale, New York. Root died at the age of 96 on June 2, 1980 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Concerts
Concert tours
Opera
Sousa, John Philip
Vocal music

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Acquisition Source: Dr. John and Dr. Joan Dudd

Acquisition Method: Gift

Appraisal Information: Sousa biographer Paul E. Bierley provided a summary appraisal of the collection, which on accessioning comprised ca. 3 cubic feet. of materials including: manuscript and published vocal/piano music, much of which bears Root's signature and performance practice markings (381 published songs, vocal collections, and libretti) 5 published Sousa songs and the piano/vocal score to El Capitan inscribed by Sousa to Root a Sousa holograph (piano/vocal score, 2 p.; complete), a setting of "The Milkmaid" titled, "Hey, Dolly" [words from the song] photographs (i.e., Root; Sousa, his daughter Helen, Root, and other Sousa Band members in South Africa; Sousa Band at Willow Grove Park, and several other images) post cards of the Sousa Band in Willow Grove Park Sousa Band concert programs and route sheets (1915) numerous clippings (announcements and reviews of performances) two scrapbooks (clippings, concert programs) assorted concert and recital programs several volumes of the Musical Courier and Musical America that include journal articles related to Root.