Finding Aid for Robert Bass University of Illinois Bands and Orchestra Collection, 1910-1975 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Celia Faux and Katie Nichols

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Collection Overview

Title: Robert Bass University of Illinois Bands and Orchestra Collection, 1910-1975

ID: 26/20/209

Extent: 2.0 cubic feet

Arrangement: The recordings and paper records are arranged by format. The acetate discs are arranged first by music ensemble, and then chronologically by date of recording and music selection performed. The CDs are arranged similarly, and the photographs, postcards, and Band roster are arranged chronologically.

Date Acquired: 10/27/2017. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Band Musicians, Bands, Instrumental music, Marching Illini, Orchestra

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection consists of twenty-nine original acetate disc sound recordings and fourteen digital CD recordings containing these acetate discs that document performances by the University of Illinois' Orchestra and Concert Band that were recorded between 1948 and 1949, performances of the Illinois Loyalty Song made by two other ensembles, and radio broadcasts from the University of Illinois campus. In addition there are two postcards and six photographs of the University of Illinois bands dating between 1910 and 1975, and a University of Illinois Concert Band roster from the 1921-1922 school year.

Biographical Note

Robert Bass attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign between 1978 and 1982. He originally planned to focus his studies on radio engineering through the university's Communication Department, but the program was temporarily closed to restructure its degree requirements so he enrolled in the campus' LAS and Music program. During his tenure at the University he played trumpet in the Marching Illini and Basketball bands between 1979 and 1982, and served as a trumpet soloist for the marching band.

Subject/Index Terms

Band Musicians
Bands
Instrumental music
Marching Illini
Orchestra

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: Item 32 (the radio transcription disc from the National Braodcasting Company) and the postcards in Folders 1 and 2 were transferred from the Musical Americana Collection on January 17, 2018. An additional accrual of transcription discs and a poster was donated by Robert Bass on February 21, 2020. An additional accrual of a single concert program was donated by Robert Bass on August 22, 2022, and an addition of post cards and sound recordings on February 13, 2023.

Acquisition Source: Robert Bass

Acquisition Method: Gift.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Oversize Portfolio Case 1: Correct Posture Chart for Band and Orchestra Musicians, 1938],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[All]

Box 1

Folder 1: Postcard and Conn Advertisement, ca. 1910-1925

A. Austin Harding Postcard and Conn Advertisement in the Saturday Evening Post. Transferred from 12/9/50, Musical Americana Collection.

Folder 2: Postcard of University of Illinois Band practicing on field, ca. 1912

Transferred from 12/9/50, Musical Americana Collection.

Folder 3: University of Illinois Concert Band Roster, 1921-1922

Includes roster for Illinois Concert Band, 1st Regimental Band, and 2nd Regimental Band.

Folder 4: Black and white photos of University of Illinois Band, 1953-1975

Photos include: "Part of the 5,000 University of Illinois ROTC students..." May 2, 1953; "Main rehearsal hall of the new band building..." February 24, 1958; "Director Mark H. Hindsley of the University of Illinois Bands..." February 24, 1958; "Band Building" March 6, 1958; "Illini marching band goes into action..." November 9, 1974; "Members of Marching Illini band play kazoos..." October 2, 1975

Folder 5: Magazines "Look", March 14, 1950

Contains an articles titled "Corn Country Campus puts on biggest U.S.A. Arts Festival."

Folder 6: Photographs of the University of Illinois Band, ca. 1959

Three photographs. One of them contains an article about Bruce Keck on its back.

Item 1: University of Illinois Concert Band, 1948-1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A: Debussy-Ravel, Danse; conducted by Dr. Hanling, June 21, 1948. Side B: St. Saens, Sonata Opus 167 1st movement; Dorothy J. Albert, clarinet, and Fern Hoge, piano, recorded April 2, 1949. See also Item 34.

Item 2: University of Illinois Concert Band, June 21, 1948

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Note: Disc has some deterioration. Side A: Dohnanyi - Rapsodia. Side B: Unidentified Mozart. See Also Item 35.

Item 3: University of Illinois Concert Band, March 9, 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Note: Disc has some deterioration. Side A: Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Hands Across the Sea. Side B: Hail to the Orange, Bolero. See Also Item 36.

Item 4: University of Illinois Concert Band, March 9, 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Two copies in the sleeve. Note: both discs have substantial deterioration. Side A and B copy 1 and 2: Wagner. Siegfried's Rhine Jouney. See Also Item 37.

Item 5: University of Illinois Concert Band, March 9, 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Note: Disc is deteriorating. Side A and B: Wagner, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks. See Also Item 38.

Item 6: University of Illinois Concert Band, ca. 1949

Phonographic Disc. Side A: Massanet, Meditation from Thais. Side B: Ketelby, Fanfare; King, Pride of the Illini; Alford, March of the Illini; Hill, Hail to the Orange. Albert Austin Harding Conducting. See Also Item 39.

Item 7: University of Illinois Concert Band, ca. 1949

Phonographic Disc. Side A: Denza-Lang, Funiculi-Funicula; Hill, Oskee-Wow-Wow; Guild, Illinois Loyalty. Side B: Strauss, Death and Transfiguration. Albert Austin Harding Conducting. See Also Item 40.

Item 8: University of Illinois Concert Band, 1951

Phonographic Direct Cut Discs. Side 1: Illinois Loyalty and "Three in One," Side 6: Tap Roots Part 2 - The Civil War and Reconstruction (1 of 3); Side 2: George Washington Bicentennia March and University of Illinois March, Side 5: Tap Roots Part 1 - The South Before the Civil War Cotton Plantation Scene (2 of 3); and Side 3: Masquerade Suite, Side 4: Serenata and Oskee-Wow-Wow (3 of 3). See Items 51 & 52.

Item 9: University of Illinoic Concert Band, 1952

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A: Illinois Loyalty; Oskee-Wow-Wow; Three in One; Crusade for Freedom, Overture to Tannhauser; and The Stars and Stripes Forever. Side B: Tap Roots, Masquerade Suite: Mazurka-Gallop; Lilt of the Latin; and Polka and Fugue from Schwanda. See Items 53 & 54.

Item 10: University of Illinois Orchestra, May 1, 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A:Handel, Water Music Suite Part 1 of 3. Side B: Handel, Water Music Suite, Part 2 of 3.

Item 11: University of Illinois Orchestra, May 1 and April 1, 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A: Handel, Water Music Suite, Part 3 of 3; recorded May 1, 1949. Side B: De Falla-Gille, Argonesa, recorded April 1, 1949.

Item 12: University of Illinois Orchestra, May 1, 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A: Handel, Water Music, Part 1 of 2. Side B: Handel, Water Music, Part 2 of 2.

Item 13: University of Illinois Orchestra, ca. 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A: Handel, Water Music. Parts 1 of 4. Side B: Handel, Water Music Part 2 of 4. See Also Item 41.

Item 14: University of Illinois Orchestra, ca. 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A: Handel, Water Music. Part 3 of 4. Side B: Handel, Water Music, Part 4 of 4. See Also Item 41.

Item 15: University of Illinois Orchestra, Spring 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A: Stravinsky, Piano Concerto. Part 1 of 5. Side B: Stravinksy, Piano Concerto, Part 2 of 5. See Also Item 42.

Item 16: University of Illinois Orchestra, Spring 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A: Stravinsky, Piano Concerto. Part 3 of 5. Side B: Stravinsky, Piano Concerto,Part 4 of 5. See Also Item 42.

Item 17: University of Illinois Orchestra, Spring 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A: Stravinsky, Piano Concerto. Part 5 of 5. Side B: De Falla-Gille, Aragonesa. See Also Item 42.

Item 18: University of Illinois Orchestra, undated

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A and B: Beethoven, Concerto in D Major. Georges Enesco conductor. See Also Item 43.

Item 19: University of Illinois Orchestra, undated

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A and B: Franck, Symphony in D Minor. Parts 1 and 2 of 8. See Also Item 44.

Item 20: University of Illinois Orchestra, undated

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A and B: Franck, Symphony in D MInor. Parts 3 and 4 of 8. See Also Item 44.

Item 21: University of Illinois Orchestra, undated

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A and B: Franck, Symphony in D Minor. Parts 5 and 6 of 8. See Also Item 44.

Item 22: University of Illinois Orchestra, undated

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A and B: Franck, Symphony in D Minor. Parts 7 and 8 of 8. See Also Item 44.

Item 23: University of Illinois Orchestra, undated

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A and B. Stravinsky, Pulchinella Suite. Parts 1 and 2 of 6. See Also Item 45.

Item 24: University of Illinois Orchestra, undated

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A and B: Stravinsky, Pulchinella Suite. Parts 3 and 4 of 6. See Also Item 45.

Item 25: University of Illinois Orchestra, undated

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A and B: Stravinsky, Pulchinella Suite. Parts 5 and 6 of 6. See Also Item 45.

Item 26: University of Illinois Percussion Ensemble, 1959

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. University of Illinois School of Music Custom Recording Series. Side A: Robert Kelly, Toccata for Marimba and Percussion Ensemble, and Sydney Hodkinson, Two Structures for Percussion Ensemble. Side B: Jack Mckenzie, Rites, William Kraft, Suite for Weatherkings, and Benjamin Johnston, Dirge. See Also Items 55 and 56.

Item 27: Unidentified ensemble (probably University of Illinois), May 1, 1949

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Note: Disc is degrading. Side A and B: Strauss, Don Juan.

Item 28: Unidentified woodwind trio, undated

Phonographic Direct Cut Disc. Side A and B: Two clarinets and bassoon. See Also Item 48.

Item 29: Sam Lanin's Orchestra, October 15, 1931

10" Disc, Acetate on Cardboard. Side A: Hit Of The Week K3. Love Letters in the Sand. and College Medley: Illinois Loyalty and Michigan Victory. See Also Item 46.

Item 30: Dick Powell and the Foursome, undated

10" Phonographic Disc. Side A: University of Illinois, The Illinois Loyalty Song. Side B: Univeristy of Maine, Stein Song. Vocal direction by Harry Sosnik. See Also Item 47.

Item 31: University of Illinois Jazz Ensemble, undated

10'' Phonographic Disc. Side A: Fr. Roehman, The Great, Big, Firm, but Patient Aardvork; (traditional) I've Got My Mojo Workin'; and Delange-Van Heusen, Darn that Dream and Kim Richmond, Latino. Side B: Larry Dwyer, The Old Beelzebub Blues; Howard, Fly Me to the Moon; and Georges Duvivier, The Lunceford Touch. See also Items 57 and 58.

Item 32: National Broadcasting Company Thesaurus Record 1071 radio transcription, July 15, 1942

14" Transcription Disc. Trasferred from 12/9/50, Musical Americana Collection. See also Item 49.

Item 33: Illini Time from the Campus of the University of Illinois, undated

14" Transcription Disc. Radio Programs 5 and 6. See Also Item 50.

Item 34: University of Illinois Concert Band, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 1. Debussy-Ravel, Danse. June 21, 1948. and St. Saens, Sonata Op. 167, 1st Movement. April 2, 1949.

Item 35: University of Illinois Concert Band, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 2. Dohnanyi, Rapsodia. and unknown Mozart piece.

Item 36: University of Illinois Concert Band, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 3. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Hands Across the Sea, Hail to the Orange (sung), Bolero.

Item 37: University of Illinois Concert Band, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 4. Wagner, Siegfried's Rhine Journey.

Item 38: University of Illinois Concert Band, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 5. Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks.

Item 39: University of Illinois Concert Band, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 6. Meditation from Thais, Fanfare, Pride of the Illini, March of the Illini, Hail to the Orange.

Item 40: University of Illinois Concert Band, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 7. Funiculi-Funicula, Oskee-Wow-Wow, Illinois Loyalty, Death and Transfiguration.

Item 41: University of Illinois Orchestra, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Items 13 and 14. Handel, Water Music.

Item 42: University of Illinois Orchestra, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Items 15, 16, and 17. Stravinsky, Piano Concerto. and De Falla-Gille, Aragonesa. Note on CD reads "Igor Stravinsky Conducting U of I Orchestra, Soulima Stravinsky, piano soloist."

Item 43: University of Illinois Orchestra, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 18. Beethoven, Concerto in D Major.

Item 44: University of Illinois Orchestra, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Items 19, 20, 21, and 22. Franck, Symphony in D Minor.

Item 45: University of Illinois Orchestra, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Items 23, 24, and 25. Stravinsky, Pulchinella Suite.

Item 46: Sam Lanin's Orchestra, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 29. 2 copies. Hit of the Week K3. Illinois Loyalty, Michigan Victory, and Love Letters in the Sand.

Item 47: Dick Powell and the Foursome, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 30. Illinois Loyalty and the Universiy of Maine Stein Song

Item 48: Unknown 2 clarinet and bassoon ensemble, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 28.

Item 49: 1942 NBC/RCA 16" Radio Transcription DISC Restored Audio CD, April 2015

Duplicate recording of Item 32.

Track 1: The Goldman Band - Pride of the Illini. Track 2: Invictus (15 more)

Item 50: Illini Time Radio Shows No. 5 and 6, October 2017

CD. Duplicate of Item 33. Radio shows 5 and 6.

Item 51: University of Illinois Concert Band, 2019

Audio CD. Duplicate of Item 8, 1951 RCA 78 rpm 3 disc album.

Item 52: University of Illinois Concert Band, 2019

Data CD. Duplicate of Item 8, 1951 RCA 78 rpm 3 disc album.

Item 53: University of Illinois Concert Band, 2019

CD. Duplicate of Item 9, 1952 RCA 38 rpm album.

Item 54: University of Illinois Concert Band, 2019

DVD. Duplicate of Item 9, 1952 RCA 38 rpm album.

Item 55: University of Illinois Percussion Ensemble, 2019

CD. Duplicate of Item 26.

Item 56: University of Illinois PErcussion Ensemble, 2019

DVD. Duplicate of Item 26.

Item 57: University of Illinois Jazz Band, 2019

Audio CD. Duplicate of Item 31. Trasferred from University of Illinois Jzaa Band 1968 Romania LP.

Item 58: University of Illinois Jazz Band, 2019

Data CD. Duplicate of Item 31. 48 KHz 24 Bit wav files.

Item 59: Dame Myra Hess Live Recordings, 2015

Three CDs. Live recordings from the University of Illinois 1949.

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Oversize Portfolio Case 1: Correct Posture Chart for Band and Orchestra Musicians, 1938],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[All]