.
By Sarah A. Long and Kelly A. Carlson
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 nine 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, and Series 9, Books. Materials are arranged in alphabetical and chronological order.
Date Acquired: 12/10/1995. More info below under Accruals.
Subjects: American Bandmasters Association, Armenian, Band Clinics, Band Concerts, Band Department, Bands, Bands (Music), Brass Bands, Choral Society, Church music, Conducting--Instruction and Study, Conductors (Music), Faculty, Faculty Papers, Illinois Summer Youth Music, Marching bands, Military Bands, Music, School of, National Music Camp (Interlochen, MI)
Formats/Genres: Correspondence, Papers, Sheet music, Sound Recordings
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) was a University band conductor, composer, arranger, and pedagogue, appearing as a guest conductor and speaker for numerous high school, University, and professional concert bands throughout the United States and internationally. He was born on April 24, 1921 in Pontiac, Michigan. The son of Armenian refugees Nishan and Osgi Begian, he was originally named Droy Harouthiun Begian, only later did he go by his anglicized name, Harry Begian. Begian grew up immersed in Armenian culture, serving as an alter boy within the Armenian church and learning Armenian folk songs. In the fourth grade he played E-flat alto horn in his school's band. He graduated from Fordson High School, near Dearborn, Michigan in 1939. At this time, he studied cornet with Leonard Smith and frequently attended open rehearsals of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As a high schooler, he also falsified his age in order to perform with the 182nd Field Artillery Band in Detroit. Begian earned a bachelors degree in music at Wayne State University in 1941.
Dr. Begian started his career as a band director the following year at McKenzie High school in Detroit. Two years after accepting the position, he was drafted into the Army. He was stationed at Fort Brown in Texas, where he served as a cornettist in the 124th Cavalry Regimental Band. In 1946 he was discharged as a Technical Sergeant. In that year he was accepted as a student conductor at Tanglewood, where he studied under Serge Koussevitzky, Leonard Bernstein, Robert Shaw, and Eleazar Carvalho. In 1947, he became the director of the Cass Technical High School Symphonic Band, a position he held until 1964. Under his baton, the band became one of the finest high school bands in the country.
In 1956, Begian enrolled in the Education Department's doctoral program at the University of Michigan at the behest of William D. Revelli, who wanted to start a band conducting program there. Begian wrote his dissertation on the Armenian priest and musicologist Gomidas Vartabed in 1964. Following the successful completion of his doctorate, Dr. Begian became director of bands at Wayne State University, his alma mater. He served in this role from 1964 to 1967. Following this, he became the director of bands at Michigan State University from 1967 to 1970. Eventually, Begian would secure the position of director of bands at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which he held from 1970 to 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 was 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.
Begian died in his home in Alpena, Michigan on July 26, 2010.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Accruals:
9 August 2013: Bandmasters Hall of Fame plaque, 1984; United States Air Force Plaque, undated; and Gold Key from Springfield, Illinois plaque, undated deacessioned.
Other Note:
Pages
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 3: Correspondence
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Australia, 1983
- Folder 2: Australia, July 15- Aug 30 1985
- Folder 3: Band Roster/Seating Charts, 1985-1987
- Folder 4: Big Ten Band Directors Association, 1971-74, 1976-82
- Folder 5: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
- Folder 6: Books Transferred to SABRE Reformer, 1980
- Folder 7: Boston University, May 1966
- Folder 8: Cass TechiNewsclipings, 1926, 1938, 1947-56, 1959-65, 1980
- Folder 9: Cass Tech/ Detroit Public Schools Personnel File Correspondence, 1956-59, 1962
- Folder 10: Cass Technical High School (1 of 2), 1947-65, 1967-70, 1973
- Folder 11: Cass Technical High School (2 of 2), 1947-65, 1967-70, 1973
- Folder 12: Cass Tech Concert Programs (1 of 2), 1942, 1947-66, 1968
- Folder 13: Cass Tech Concert Programs (2 of 2), 1942, 1947, 1966, 1968
- Folder 14: Cass Tech Photographs
- Folder 15: Cass Tech Scrapbook, 1954-1955
- Folder 16: Scrapbook: "Begian's Kool Kats" (Cass Technical High), ca. 1960
- Folder 17: Gavange: The Beginning (1 of 2), 1947-64
- Folder 18: Gavange: The Beginning (2 of 2), 1947-64
- Folder 19: 1948 Triangle, 1948
- Folder 20: 1949 Triangle, 1949
- Folder 21: 1951 Triangle, 1951
- Folder 22: 1958 Triangle, 1958
- Folder 23: Chatfield Brass Band Library (Minnesota), 1980-81
- Box 5
- Folder 8: Bio - Personal, Begian Family
- Folder 9: Cass Technical High School, ca. 1960
- Folder 10: Student Papers, ca. 1964
- Folder 11: Smith-Walbridge Music Camp, ca. 1985
- Folder 12: Conducting: Dearborn Boy's Club Band, 1939-1940
- Folder 13: Indiana Univeristy Bands, 1969-71, 1974, 1980, 1983, 1990
- Folder 14: International Symphony of Port Huron and Sarnia, 1961-62
- Folder 15: Mackenzie High School Band, 1941
- Folder 16: Michigan Opera Company, 1960-61
- Folder 17: National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, 1956, 1962-1985
- Folder 18: Northshore Concert Band, 1992
- Folder 19: Purdue Band, 1985-1988
- Folder 20: Purdue University Bands, 1977, 1979, 1980
- Folder 21: Conductor Photographs, ca. 1965-75
- Folder 22: Correspondents A-Bridges, 1964-96
- Folder 23: Correspondence re: Emily Begian, 1944, 1966, 1984, 1986
- Folder 24: Correspondence: Brian - D
- Folder 25: Correspondence: E - Fautch
- Folder 26: Correspondence: Franke - Galison
- Folder 27: Correspondence: Gangware - Harris
- Folder 28: Correspondence: Haynie - Hickman
- Box 6
- Folder 1: Correspondence: Hile-Husa
- Folder 2: Correspondence: I-J
- Folder 3: Correspondence: K
- Folder 4: Correspondence: L-Markovich
- Folder 5: Correspondence: Martenson - N
- Folder 6: Correspondence: O - P
- Folder 7: Correspondence: R-Simon
- Folder 8: Correspondence: Smith - Swanson
- Folder 9: Correspondence: T - V
- Folder 10: Correspondence: W-Z
- Folder 11: Correspondence: Unidentified
- Folder 12: Michael Begian, 1987-88
- Folder 13: Correspondence: Victor Bordo, 1957, 1966, 1970-71, 1973, 1977-1980, 1991-1996
- Folder 14: J. Richard Duscomb, 1985, 1988-91
- Folder 15: Leonard Falcone, 1937, 1941, 1964, 1969-72, 1974, 1977-78, 1980-81, 1983, 1985
- Folder 16: Arnold Gabriel, 1969-71, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1993
- Folder 17: Grainger, Percy, 1969, 1975, 1977, 1979-81
- Folder 18: Hegerberg, Thad, 1973-81, 1984, 1994
- Folder 19: Kevorkian, Jack - Cousin
- Folder 20: Ralph Miller, 1990-91
- Folder 21: Correspondence: Bill Moffit, 1967-69, 1973
- Folder 22: Alfred Reed, 1977-78, 1980, 1985-95
- Folder 23: William D. Revelli, 1951-53, 1964, 1968-70, 1973, 1975-83, 1986, 1993-94
- Folder 24: William Schuman, 1969-70
- Folder 25: Sinta, Donald
- Folder 26: Spalding, Daniel, 1980, 1982, 1984-85, 1990
- Folder 27: Welch, Myron D., 1967, 1975-83, 1994-95
- Folder 28: Detroit Symphony Orchestra, 1955-56, 1987-88, 1994
- Box 7
- Box 7: Subject File, Correspondence: Fordson High School, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1989, 1935-97
- Folder 1: Fordson High School Class of 1939; 50th Reunion, 1989
- Folder 2: Grainger, Percy Aldridge
- Folder 3: Carroll L. Wallace Dissertation Correspondence, 1989-90, 1992-95
- Folder 4: David L. Stagg: DMA Degree Essay, 1985
- Folder 5: Percy Grainger Album, 1947-77, 1988, 1991
- Folder 6: Great American Marches Album, Oct. 1980 to Spring 1981
- Folder 7: Japan: Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku, National University of Finr Arts & Music, 1987
- Folder 8: Mexican Tune, 1961
- Folder 9: Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, 1951-54, 93
- Folder 10: Michigan State University, 1968-69, 1971
- Folder 11: Michigan State University Bands, 1966-69, 1981
- Folder 12: Michigan State University Band Articles, ca. 1968
- Folder 13: Michigan State University Band Photographs, 1935-36, 1940, 1956, 1958-60
- Folder 14: Michigan State University: Band Staff, 1969-70
- Folder 15: MSU: Book Material w/ R.G. Sidnell, 1965
- Folder 16: Michigan State University Bands Concert Programs and Flyers, 1957-61, 1963-70, 1977, 1980
- Folder 17: Michigan State University Correspondence, 1966-68
- Folder 18: Michigan State University Correspondence, 1969-70, 76, 78, 81
- Folder 19: MSU Fight Song Publication and MSU Alma Mater, ca. 1956
- Folder 20: Michigan State University Newsclippings, 1965-70, 77
- Folder 21: MSU Photographs - 1969-70 Season, 1969-70
- Folder 22: Michigan State University Photographs, 1967-70
- Folder 23: Jack Seidler, Graduate Assistant at MSU, 1968-70
- Folder 24: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1995
- Folder 25: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (1 of 2), 1994
- Folder 26: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (2 of 2), 1994
- Folder 27: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (1 of 2), 1993
- Folder 28: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (2 of 2), 1993
- Folder 29: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (1 of 2), 1992
- Folder 30: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (2 of 2), 1992
- Folder 31: Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, 1989
- Box 9
- Folder 9: South Oakland Symphony Society, 1962-1963
- Folder 10: Tanglewood, 194-42, 1946-47
- Folder 13: United States Air Force Band, 1965-68, 1972, 1977, 1980-81
- Folder 14: United States Army Bands, 1955, 1966, 1970, 1972, 1980-82, 1990
- Folder 15: U.S. Army Records and Materials WWII, 1943-46, 1955, 1985
- Folder 16: United States Coast Guard Band, 1975, 1982
- Folder 17: United States Marine Band "The President's Own", 1954, 1963, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1977-78, 1980-81, 1992
- Folder 18: United States Navy Band, 1969, 1971-73, 1977
- Folder 20: Raymond F. Dvorak, 1962, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1976-77, 1982-83
- Folder 21: Mark H. Hindsley, 1976, 1980-81, 1995
- Box 10
- Folder 10: Reports and Correspondence: Guest Conducting Appearances, 1973-79, 1981-83
- Box 12
- Folder 6: Wayne State University, 1970
- Folder 7: Wayne State University Harold Arnold Correspondence, 1967, 1971-75, 1977, 1980
- Folder 8: Wayne State University Bands - before Harry Begian, 1944, 1946-47, 1953, 1956-57
- Folder 9: Wayne State University Bands - Concert Programs, 1938-42, 1946-52
- Folder 10: Wayne State University Band Warm-Ups, 1964-66
- Folder 11: Wayne State University - Correspondence with Joe Labuta, Bob Lawson, and Dennis Tini, 1994-95
- Folder 12: Wayne State University Newsclippings, 1951, 1964-68
- Folder 13: Wayne State University - papers/essays by H.B., 1947
- Box 17
- Folder 16: Personal Correspondence, 1970-1981
- Folder 17: Personal, 1972-73
- Folder 18: Correspondence (Cass Tech.), 1984 & 2003
- Folder 19: Personal papers and correspondence
- Folder 20: E-Mail Correspondence
- Folder 21: Student Correspondence
- Folder 22: U of I last year correspondence
- Folder 23: Perspectives Essay (Completed 9-13-02), correspondence, 2002
- Box 18
- Folder 52: Letters and pictures received since retirement from students and colleagues: Part 1
- Folder 53: Letters and pictures received since retirement from students and colleagues: Part 2
- Folder 54: Letters and pictures received since retirement from students and colleagues: Part 3
- Box 26
- Folder 1: Correspondence, 1968-1993
- Folder 2: Application for Sabbatical Leave of Absence, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1982
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]
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