Finding Aid for Harry Begian Papers, 1926-97 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Sarah A. Long and Kelly A. Carlson

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Collection Overview

Title: Harry Begian Papers, 1926-97

ID: 12/9/25

Primary Creator: Begian, Harry (1921-2010)

Extent: 25.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: The collection is arranged into seven series: Series 1, Clinics and Conference Presentations; Series 2, Sound Recordings; Series 3, Correspondence; Series 4, Administrative Records and Research; Series 5, Teaching Notes; Series 6, Music; and Series 7, Photographs and Uniforms. Materials are arranged in alphabetical and chronological order.

Date Acquired: 12/10/1995. More info below under Accruals.

Formats/Genres: Papers

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, concert recordings, program notes, convention materials, research materials, and published articles that document Harry Begian's career as a conductor, teacher, guest speaker, and scholar from 1946-2005. In addition to administrative materials from his University career, this collection contains his personal teaching materials such as class notes, lesson plans, and conducting exercises. This collection also contains two boxes of his personal arrangements for high school and University bands.

Biographical Note

Harry Begian (1921-2010), University band conductor, composer, arranger, and pedagogue, has appeared as a guest conductor and speaker for numerous high school, University, and professional concert bands throughout the United States and internationally. Dr. Begian started his career as a band director during WWII at McKenzie High school in Detroit before he was drafted. After he finished serving in the war, he went on to become the director of the Cass Technical High School Symphonic Band from 1947-1964, making it one of the finest high school bands in the country.

Dr. Begian was director of bands at Wayne State University, his alma mater, from 1964-1967, and director of bands at Michigan State University from 1967-1970 before his 14 year tenure as director of bands at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1970-1984. After his retirement from the University of Illinois, he went on to become the director of the Purdue University Symphonic Band from 1985-1987.

In addition to being a professional conductor and composer, Dr. Begian is also widely recognized for his pedagogical techniques, and he has published 17 articles on rehearsal analysis and conducting strategies. He has also been the subject of two dissertations, as well as numerous interviews published in the Instrumentalist. Dr. Begian has been the recipient of various awards, including the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence, The Edwin Franko Goldman Award, and the Notre Dame St. Cecelia Award among others.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Clinics and Conference Presentations],
[Series 2: Sound Recordings],
[Series 3: Correspondence],
[Series 4: Administrative Records and Research],
[Series 5: Teaching Notes and Scholarly Papers],
[Series 6: Music],
[Series 7: Photographs, Ephemera and Uniforms],
[Series 8: Correspondence: Church Functions and Congressional Records, 1961-1973, 1961-62, 1964-68, 1973, 1983],
[Series 9: Books],
[All]

Series 1: Clinics and Conference Presentations

Box 1: Biographical; Publications; Subject File, American Bandmasters Association

Folder 1: Biography, 2001
Folder 2: Scrapbook: Biographical Data, 1966
Folder 3: The Instrumentalist: Alfred Reed's Armenian Dances (Part II), 1987-88
Folder 4: The Instrumentalist: Articles and Correspondence, 1968, 1970-74, 1985, 1987, 1990-94
Folder 5: The Instrumentalist: Behold the Lowly March, 1986
Folder 6: Grainger Article Letter January 25, 1992
Folder 7: Article on "Legendary Figures in Band World", 1995: 50th Anniversary Issue of Instrumental Magazine
Folder 8: Journal Articles by Dr. Harry Begian, 1955, '59, '65, '68, '70, '72, '84-'86, '90-'93
Folder 9: American Bandmasters Association, 1995
Folder 10: American Bandmasters Association (1 of 2), 1994
Folder 11: American Bandmasters Association (2 of 2), 1994
Folder 12: Harry Begian: On bands and band conducting Volume 1, 1991
Folder 13: Harry Begian: On bands and band conducting Volume 2, 1991
Folder 14: Errata Studies for the Wind Band Conductor, 1990
Folder 15: The Life and Work of Harry Begian Volume 1, 1994: by Carol Wallace
Folder 16: The Life and Work of Harry Begian Volume 2, 1994
Folder 17: Twenty-Second Echo, January 1939: Published by the Seniors of Fordson High School in Dearborn, Michigan
Folder 18: Emeritus Professor Harry Begian: Conductor and Teacher of Symphonic Bands, 1995: S.J. Williams
Folder 19
Folder 20
Folder 21

Box 2: Subject File, American Bandmasters Association, Appointments and Engagments, 1965-93

Folder 1: American Bandmasters Association, 1993
Folder 2: American Bandmasters Association, 1992
Folder 3: American Bandmasters Association, 1991
Folder 4: American Bandmasters Association, 1990
Folder 5: American Bandmasters Association, 1989
Folder 6: American Bandmasters Association, 1988
Folder 7: American Bandmasters Association, 1987
Folder 8: American Bandmasters Association Position Paper, 1986-89
Folder 9: American Bandmasters Association, 1986
Folder 10: American Bandmasters Association (1 of 3), 1985
Folder 11: American Bandmasters Association (2 of 3), 1985
Folder 12: American Bandmasters Association (3 of 3), 1985
Folder 13: American Bandmasters Association: Begian Presidency, 1984
Folder 14: American Bandmasters Association, 1983
Folder 15: American Bandmasters Association, 1982
Folder 16: American Bandmasters Association, 1981
Folder 17: American Bandmasters Association, 1980
Folder 18: American Bandmasters Association, 1979
Folder 19: American Bandmasters Association, 1978
Folder 20: American Bandmasters Association, 1977
Folder 21: American Bandmasters Association, 1976
Folder 22: American Bandmasters Association, 1975
Folder 23: American Bandmasters Association, 1974
Folder 24: American Bandmasters Association, 1973
Folder 25: American Bandmasters Association, 1972
Folder 26: American Bandmasters Association, 1971
Folder 27: American Bandmasters Association, 1970
Folder 28: American Bandmasters Association, 1969
Folder 29: American Bandmasters Association, 1968
Folder 30: American Bandmasters Association, 1967
Folder 31: American Bandmasters Association, 1966
Folder 32: American Bandmasters Association, 1965
Folder 33: American School Band Directors Association, 1953, 1971-77, 1980-81, 1984-85, 1990, 1995
Folder 34: Appointment/Calendar Book, 1985-1987
Folder 35: Engagement Record File, 1979-80

Box 3: Subject File, Austrailia 1983, Clinics and Guest Conducting, Correspondence and Concert Programs

Folder 24: Clinicians, ca. 1960-75
Folder 25: Clinics and Guest Conducting, 1997
Folder 26: Clinics and Guest Conducting, 1996
Folder 27: Clinics and Guest Conducting, 1995
Folder 28: Texas Music Educators Association Presentation, February 10-12, 1994
Folder 29: Australian Tour: Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane, June 20-July 7, 1994
Folder 30: Clinics and Guest Conducting (1 of 2), 1994

Box 4: Subject File, Clinics and Guest Conducting, Correspondence and Concert Programs

Folder 1: Clinics and Guest Conducting (2 of 2), 1994
Folder 2: Troy State University Summer Session, July 12-August 5, 1993
Folder 3: Marquette University Band Festival, March 8, 1993
Folder 4: Clinics and Guest Conducting, 1993
Folder 5: Clinics and Guest Conducting (1 of 3), 1992
Folder 6: Clinics and Guest Conducting (2 of 3), 1992
Folder 7: Clinics and Guest Conducting (3 of 3), 1992
Folder 8: Clinics and Guest Conducting (1 of 2), 1991
Folder 9: Clinics and Guest Conducting (2 of 2), 1991
Folder 10: Australia (Sydney), 1990-93
Folder 11: Clinics and Guest Conducting, 1990
Folder 12: Clinics and Guest Conducting, 1989
Folder 13: Clinics and Guest Conducting (1 of 2), 1988
Folder 14: Clinics and Guest Conducting (2 of 2), 1988
Folder 15: Clinics and Guest Conducting (1 of 3), 1987
Folder 16: Clinics and Guest Conducting (2 of 3), 1987
Folder 17: Clinics and Guest Conducting (3 of 3), 1987
Folder 18: Clinics and Guest Conducting (1 of 2), 1986
Folder 19: Clinics and Guest Conducting (2 of 2), 1986
Folder 20: Clinics and Guest Conducting (1 of 3), 1985
Folder 21: Clinics and Guest Conducting (2 of 3), 1985
Folder 22: Clinics and Guest Conducting (3 of 3), 1985

Box 5: Subject File, Clinics and Guest Conducting, Correspondence and Concert Programs, 1948-84

Folder 1: Clinics and Guest Conducting, 1984
Folder 2: London, England Trip, May 23-31, 1981
Folder 3: Clinics and Guest Conducting, 1967-70, 1972-81, 1983
Folder 4: Clinics and Guest Conducting, 1948, 1956, 1958, 1960-61, 1963-66
Folder 5: College Band Directors National Association, 1964, 1968-69, 1971-73, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990-92
Folder 6: Concert Programs, 1938, 1941, 1948, 1952, 1958, 1967-68, 1971-74, 1976-77, 1981-83, 1985-87..
Folder 7: ABA, Feb 28 - Mar 3, 1990

Box 8: Subject File, University of Illinois, ISYM, UI Bands, Rose Bowl, 1946-87

Folder 1: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1988
Folder 2: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1991
Folder 3: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1990
Folder 4: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1987
Folder 5: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1986
Folder 6: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1985
Folder 7: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1961, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1983, 1984
Folder 8: VanderCook College of Music and Midwest, ca. 1946, 1981
Folder 9: Midwestern Conference on School Vocal and Instrumental Music, 1991-93, 1995
Folder 10: Military Service, 1943-45, ca. 1998
Folder 11: Music Personalities, ca. 1960-90
Folder 12: NBA - Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors, 1991-94
Folder 13: National Band Directors Association (1 of 2), 1972-94
Folder 14: National Band Directors Association (2 of 2), 1972-94
Folder 15: Newsclippings, 1984-95
Folder 16: Newsclippings, 1940, 1943, 1948, 1960, 1965-67, 1970, 1975, 1984-89, 1993
Folder 17: Newsclippings: Death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1945

Box 9

Folder 1: Texas Music Educators Association, 1994, 97
Folder 22: University of Illinois - ISYM, July 9-14, 1989

Box 12

Folder 1: University of Michigan National Band Conductors Conference, 1949-67
Folder 2: University of Michigan Newsclippings, 1961, 1965-67, 1971, 1973-74

Box 18: 1990-1997 Professional (+ 3 folders of personal correspondence), 1990-1997

Folder 1: Indiana University School of Music Concert Programs, 1990-1991
Folder 2: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, 1994
Folder 3: Columbus College Band, 1995
Folder 4: Opryland Music Festival, 1995
Folder 5: Traverse City H.S. Orchestra, 1995
Folder 6: Worlds of Fun - Kansas City, 1995
Folder 7: Dixie Classic Band Festival, 1995
Folder 8: Grand Ledge H.S. Concert, 1995
Folder 9: Mid-West Conductors Meeting, Chicago, 1995
Folder 10: UN/Las Vegas Conducting Clinic, 1995
Folder 11: Wheaton Municipal Band, 1995
Folder 12: Troy State University, 1995
Folder 13: MSU Band, 1995
Folder 14: Lee H.S. Band, 1995
Folder 15: Salem Oregon Region Band, 1996
Folder 16: Regional Band Clinic, Midland TX, 1996
Folder 17: Illinois Intercollegiate Band, 1996
Folder 18: Middle Tennessee U. Honor Band, 1996
Folder 19: Kansas State University Clinic the Band, 1996
Folder 20: Lemont Band Festival, 1996
Folder 21: Eastern CBDNA Convention - Rutgers University, 1996
Folder 22: ABA Convention - San Antonio TX, 1996
Folder 23: Mid-West Band Tape Auditions, Chicago, 1996
Folder 24: Houston Area Band Clinics, 1996
Folder 25: Worlds of Fun Festival of Bands, Kansas City, 1996
Folder 26: Marshall University Wind Ensemble Concert, Huntington, West Virginia, 1996
Folder 27: N. Carolina H.S. Honor Band, 1996
Folder 28: Dixie Classic Band Festival, St. Louis, MO, 1996
Folder 29: Grand Ledge H.S. Band, 1996
Folder 30: Clarkston H.S. Band rehearsal and concert, 1996
Folder 31: Troy State University, 1996
Folder 32: A.S.B.D.A. Convention/Dearborn, MI, 1996
Folder 33: Blue Lake Music Camp, 1996
Folder 34: Waubonsie H.S. Band, 1996
Folder 35: U of N. Carolina Rehearsal and Concert, 1996
Folder 36: Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1996
Folder 37: Lamar University Band Rehearsals for TMEA, 1997
Folder 38: TMEA Convention, San Antonio, 1997
Folder 39: New York State Band Directors Association Convention, Syracuse, 1997
Folder 40: ABA Convention - San Diego CA, 1997
Folder 41: Boise State University, Idaho, 1997
Folder 42: U.S. Army Band Concert in D.C., 1997
Folder 43: Birmingham Clinicing of H.S. Bands, 1997
Folder 44: Bowling Green State U., 1997
Folder 45: W.S.U. Old Main Celebration, 1997
Folder 46: Doug Reese Memorial Concert - Brighton, 1997
Folder 47: EB and Wendy - Alaska Cruise, 1997
Folder 48: Mid-West Conductors Meeting, Chicago, 1997
Folder 49: Blue Lake Music Camp, 1997
Folder 50: Midwest Clinic, 1997
Folder 51: Mid West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1995

Box 19: 1998-2000 Professional

Folder 1: Florida Vacation/Panama City Beach and Leesburg, 1998
Folder 2: TMEA All State Sym. Band, Midland TX, 1998
Folder 3: ABA Convention, Biloxi MS, 1998
Folder 4: Bands of America Clinic, Indianapolis, 1998
Folder 5: Hile Band Festival and Clinic, 1998
Folder 6: Midwest Band Tape Auditions, Skokie IL, 1998
Folder 7: Milwaukee Concert Band, 1998
Folder 8: Ross Kellan - Rehearse his band and 4 others, 1998
Folder 9: Rehearse and Conduct - J. Casagrande, 1998
Folder 10: The Midwest Clinic, Chicago, 1998
Folder 11: Midwest Music Com. Meeting, Skokie, 1998
Folder 12: University of Nevada Las Vegas, 1998
Folder 13: Florida INT. University, Miami FL, 1998
Folder 14: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1998
Folder 15: Blue Lake Festival Band Record Ch. Yassky-Mastering, 1998-1999
Folder 16: IMEA Convention - HB gets Pres. Award, 1999
Folder 17: E. IL University Guest Conductor and Lecturer, 1999
Folder 18: University of Akron Guest Conductor, 1999
Folder 19: A.B.A. Convention - 65th annual, 1999
Folder 20: Northshore Band - Guest Conductor Rehearsals, 1999
Folder 21: Midwest Band Tape Auditions, Skokie, 1999
Folder 22: Midland/Odessa H.S. Bands, 1999
Folder 23: Bands of America Festival, 1999
Folder 24: Chicago Area Band Clinics, 1999
Folder 25: Johnny Trudell Testimonial, 1999
Folder 26: Mark Custom Recording, 1999
Folder 27: Wheaton City Band, 1999
Folder 28: Hachig Kazarian Testimonial Dinner, 1999
Folder 29: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, 1999
Folder 30: Midwest Music Com. Meeting, Skokie, 1999
Folder 31: Scottsdale AZ Concert Band, 1999
Folder 32: M.S.U. Wind Symphony Concert, 1999
Folder 33: Bell H.S. Dallas TX, 1999
Folder 34: Midwest INT. Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1999
Folder 35: BLFAC Festival Band at IMEA Peoria, IL, 2000
Folder 36: ABA Convention in Dallas, Colony, 2000
Folder 37: Clinicing of Texas Bands, 2000
Folder 38: Midwest Music Committee Meeting, Skokie, 2000
Folder 39: Midwest Org and Program Selection Com. Meetings, 2000
Folder 40: Bands of America - Regional Fest., 2000
Folder 41: U.S. Army Field Band in Detroit, 2000
Folder 42: American Concert Band Convention HB Award Presentation, 2000
Folder 43: Glenbard E. H.S. Band Clinic, 2000
Folder 44: Ann Arbor Huron H.S. Orchestra, 2000
Folder 45: Grand Ledge H.S. Band, 2000
Folder 46: Midwest Board with Band and Orchestra Directors meeting, 2000
Folder 47: Midwest Conductor's Meeting, Chicago, 2000
Folder 48: Wheaton Municipal Band - "Begian Fest", 2000
Folder 49: Bands of America H.S. Band, 2000
Folder 50: BLFAC Festival Band, 2000
Folder 51: Cass Tech Reunion (Classes of 1950 and 1951), 2000
Folder 52: Band Cond. Prep., Rehearsal and Performance, 2000
Folder 53: Session II - Vandercook College, 2000
Folder 54: Session III - Vandercook College, 2000
Folder 55: UN/LV - Conduct rehearsal and concert, 2000
Folder 56: Session IV - Vandercook College, 2000
Folder 57: Session V - Vandercook College, 2000
Folder 58: Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, 2000
Folder 59: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 2000

Box 20: 2000-2003 Professional

Folder 1: Presidential Inauguration with Lee H.S. Band, Midland TX, 2001
Folder 2: 2000-2001, 2000-2001
Folder 3: Easter Illinois University Conducting Workshop, 2001
Folder 4: Lake Highlands H.S. Marion West, 2001
Folder 5: ABA Convention - Las Vegas, Nevada, 2001
Folder 6: City of Fairfax Band, 2001
Folder 7: Midwest Organization and Planning, 2001
Folder 8: BOA Concert Band Festival, Indianapolis, 2001
Folder 9: Houston - Conroe School District, 2001
Folder 10: Lee H.S. Band with Randy Storie, 2001
Folder 11: Joliet Jr. College Concert Band, 2001
Folder 12: Ruth Reifsteck Retirement U of I, 2001
Folder 13: Waukkegan Municipal Band Concert Dedication of the Stiner Pavilion, 2001
Folder 14: Midwest Music Com. Meetings, Skokie, 2001
Folder 15: Vandercook Clinic Sessions, Chicago, 2001
Folder 16: Sprague High School Rehearsal, 2001
Folder 17: Midwest INT. BB and O Clinic, Chicago, 2001
Folder 18: Midwest Clinic, 2001
Folder 19: Blue Lake Festival Band, 2002
Folder 20: TN Tech University, 2002
Folder 21: CBDNA (S-Div.), Atlanta GA, 2002
Folder 22: A.B.A. Convention, Wichita KS, 2002
Folder 23: Ron Carter Quartet Concert, Detroit, 2002
Folder 24: Bands of America Concert Band, Indianapolis IN, 2002
Folder 25: L.S.U. Band Concert, Baton Rouge LA, 2002
Folder 26: Midwest Organization Program Select, Evanston, 2002
Folder 27: Chicagoland Band Festival, 2002
Folder 28: Midland/Odessa Clinics, 2002
Folder 29: Collinsville Com. Band, 2002
Folder 30: UNLV Band - Japanese Tour, 2002
Folder 31: Midwest Conductors Meeting Chicago Hilton, 2002
Folder 32: Troy St. Univ. Lecturing Troy, AL, 2002
Folder 33: Wheaton Band "Begian-Fest", 2002
Folder 34: Conduct M.S.U. Wind Sym. Concerts, Port Huron, 2002
Folder 35: Midwest Clinic, 2002
Folder 36: Conduct and Lecture at BGSU in Ohio, 2003
Folder 37: Woodlands H.S. Band Clinic, Conrad TX, 2003
Folder 38: ABA Convention - Baltimore, 2003
Folder 39: BOA Concert Band Festival, 2003
Folder 40: Midwest Meetings - Evanston, 2003
Folder 41: Chicagoland Band Festival, 2003
Folder 42: Midland-Odessa Band Clinic, 2003
Folder 43: Senseney Music Clinic, Wichita, KS, 2003
Folder 44: CT Band Reunion Pictures, June 2003
Folder 45: Cass Tech Band Reunion, 2003
Folder 46: The 57th Annual Midwest Clinic, Chicago, 2003
Folder 47: Midwest Clinic 2003 Catalogue, 2003

Box 21: 2004-2006 Professional (+ Method books and scrapbook), 2004-2006

Folder 3: Midwest Clinic 2004 Catalogue, 2004
Folder 4: Michigan Music Ed. In-Service Conference, 2004
Folder 5: Clinic Rehearsal with Wando High School, Mount Pleasant, SC, 2004
Folder 6: BOA National Con. Band Fest., Indianapolis IN, 2004
Folder 7: Boise State University Winds - NW Region CBDNA in Reno, 2004
Folder 8: Midwest Board Meeting Evanston Hilton, 2004
Folder 9: Chicagoland Band Festival, Hersey H.S., 2004
Folder 10: Lee H.S. and Permian TX, 2004
Folder 11: Oswego H.S. Band Concert, 2004
Folder 12: Midwest Conductors Board Meeting, 2004
Folder 13: Interlochen, 2004
Folder 14: Wheaton Band Concert, 2004
Folder 15: U.S. Army Band, 2004
Folder 16: Green Valley H.S. and UNLV, 2004
Folder 17: Univ. of Illinois George Brozak NBA Lecture, 2005
Folder 18: American Bandmasters Convention, Gainsville FL, 2005
Folder 19: Fond du Lac Symphonic Band Guest Conductor, 2005
Folder 20: Midland TX Lee H.S., 2005
Folder 21: Midwest Board Retreat Meeting, Chicago, 2005
Folder 22: H. Owen Reed 95th - M.S.U. Faculty Club, E. Lansing, 2005
Folder 23: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, 2005
Folder 24: U of M - Alum. Association Award, 2005
Folder 25: M.S.U. Shared Concert, 2005
Folder 26: Old Dominion University, Norfolk VA, 2005
Folder 27: Northshore Band 50th Anniversary Guest Conductor, June 2006