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

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Collection Overview

Title: University Bands Collection, circa 1840-2021

ID: 12/9/93

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

Extent: 113.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: Arranged by type of material.

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

Subjects: Band Department, Brass Instruments, Musical Instrument Collections, Musical Instrument Makers - Europe, Musical Instrument Makers - United States, 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 Regalia was 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
Musical Instrument Collections
Musical Instrument Makers - Europe
Musical Instrument Makers - United States
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, 1956-1974],
[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 Regalia Tunic, 1930: Materials:Buck Skin/Beads/Felt. Accession No. 2007.120993.047A.
Item 2: Chief Regalia Pants, 1930: Materials:Buck Skin/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047B.
Item 3: Chief Regalia Chest Plate, 1930: Materials:Bone/Leather/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047C.
Item 4: Chief Regalia Sash, 1930: Materials:Leather/Fur/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047D.
Item 5: Chief Regalia Sash, 1930: Materials:Leather/Fur/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047E.
Item 6: Chief Regalia Moccasins, 1930: Materials:Leather/Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.047F.
Item 7: Chief Regalia 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 Regalia 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 Regalia Tunic, 1968: Animal Skin with Extensive Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.050A.
Item 2: Chief Regalia Pants, 1968: Animal Skin with Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.050B.
Item 3: Chief Regalia Gloves, 1968: Animal Skin with Extensive Bead Work. Accession No. 2007.120993.050C-D.
Item 4: Chief Regalia Suspenders: Blue Elastic with Metal Clips. Accession No. 2007.120993.050E.

Oversize Textile Box 35

Item 1: Chief Regalia Tunic, 1982: Buck Skin, Felt and Bead Work. The 1982 Fools Crow Chief Illiniwek Regalia was deaccessioned on October 2, 2009 by directive of the Chancellor's Office. Accession No. 2007.120993.051A.
Item 2: Chief Regalia Leggings, 1982: Buck skin and elastic. The 1982 Fools Crow Chief Illiniwek Regalia was deaccessioned on October 2, 2009 by directive of the Chancellor's Office. Accession No. 2007.120993.051B.
Item 3: Chief Regalia Gloves, 1982: Animal Skin and Bead Work. The 1982 Fools Crow Chief Illiniwek Regalia 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 Regalia 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 Regalia Chest Plate, Undated: 2023.120993.001A
Item 2: Chief Regalia Chest Plate, Undated: 2023.120993.001B
Item 3: Chief Regalia Necklace, Undated: 2023.120993.001C
Item 4: Chief Regalia Necklace, Undated: 2023.120993.001D
Item 5: Chief Regalia 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