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

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

ID: 26/20/209

Primary Creator: Bass, Robert

Extent: 2.0 cubic feet

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in two series:

Series 1) University of Illinois Bands and Orchestra Collection, 1910-1983, which consists of collected postcards, photogtaphs, posters, football formations, band rosters, and concert programs. Materials are arranged chronologically by format.

and Series 2) Sound Recordings, Audio Visual Recordings, and Data Discs, 1916-1924, which consists of sound recordings, audio-visual recordings, and data discs. Sound recordings are arranged first by ensemble and then chronologically.

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

Subjects: Alumni, Band, Football, Band Musicians, Bands, C. G. Conn, Ltd., Fillmore, Henry (1881-1956), Goldman, Edwin Franko, Instrumental music, Jazz, Marching Illini, Orchestra, Rose Bowl, University of Illinois

Formats/Genres: Audio-Visual Material, Concert Programs, Photographs, Posters, Sound Recordings

Languages: English

Consists of twenty-nine original acetate disc sound recordings, fourteen digital CD recordings, post cards, posers, photographs, band roster, marching illini field formations, and concert programs, documenting 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 that were collected by Robert Bass, an alumnus of the University.

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. After graduation, Bass worked for a radio station in Florida, eventually becoming an audio mixer for Universal Studios (FL), Playground Media Group, Irwin Entertainment, Henninger Media Services, and the Voice of America. Bass worked on many nationally syndicated television programs including Nova, Conan O'Brien, Scrubbs, Scandal, and Desperate Housewives.

Alumni
Band, Football
Band Musicians
Bands
C. G. Conn, Ltd.
Fillmore, Henry (1881-1956)
Goldman, Edwin Franko
Instrumental music
Jazz
Marching Illini
Orchestra
Rose Bowl
University of Illinois

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.