University Bands Collection

Overview

Scope and Contents

Biographical Note

Subject Terms

Detailed Description

Instruments

Photographs

Uniforms

Ephemera

Music

Pressbooks

University of Illinois Band 16mm Films

Bound Concert Programs

University of Illinois Band Videocassettes and Sound Recordings

Administrative Records

Direct Cut Discs


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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 1840-2021View associated digital content.

ID: 12/9/93

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

Extent: 114.85 cubic feet

Arrangement:

Arranged in eleven series:

Series 1) Instruments, ca. 1810-1950 consists of instruments purchased by University Bands. These instruments were available for use by students and many have been assigned inventory numbers, were stamped, or were given a university property sticker. These materials are unarranged.

Series 2) Photographs, ca. 1890-2011 consists of photographs, copy prints, and negatives. Materials are arranged by ensemble and chronologically therein.

Series 3) Uniforms, ca. 1920-2021 consists of marching uniforms, jackets, pants, hats, pins, ties, and Chief Illiniwek outfits. Materials are unarranged.

Series 4) Ephemera, ca. 1912-2024 consists of posters, correspondence, programs, sound recordings, alumni newsletters, magazines, awards, and commemorative Cheez-It box. Materials are unarranged.

Series 5) Music, ca. 1901-1975, consists of published and unpublished sheet music that were included in the University of Illinois Band Library. Materials received after 2022 are arranged alphabetically by title, prior to 2022, materials were unarranged.

Series 6) Pressbooks, 1935-1975, consists of three oversized pressbooks, containing newspaper reviews and clippings about the band. Materials are arranged chronologically.

Series 7) University of Illinois Band 16mm Films, 1932-1985 consists of 16mm film reels of the University Bands. Materials are arranged chronologically.

Series 8) Bound Concert Programs, 1906-1985 consists of 12 bound books of concert programs. Materials are arranged chronologically. NOTE: these materials are located in the Sousa Reference Collection.

Series 9) University of Illinois Band Videocassettes and Sound Recordings, 1979-2002 includes tape cassettes, CDs, beta tapes, cassette tapes, U-Matic, VHS, DVDs, and BetaCam tapes. Materials are arranged chronologically.

Series 10) Administrative Records, 1906-2010, includes 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. Materials are arranged chronologically and starting with the 2024 accession alphabetically by subject.

and Series 11) Direct Cut Discs, 1937-1956 includes alumninum and acetate direct cut 12" and 14" Discs. Materials are unarranged.

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

Subjects: Alumni Association, American Bandmasters Association, Awards, Band, Football, Band Department, Begian, Harry, Brass Instruments, Chief Illiniwek, Clarke, Herbert L., College Band Directors National Association, Fillmore, Henry (1881-1956), Films, Goldman, Edwin Franko, Harding, Albert Austin, Hindsley, Mark H., Illinois School Band Association, Illinois Summer Youth Music, Keene, James F., Marching Illini, Musical Instrument Collections, Musical Instrument Makers - Europe, Musical Instrument Makers - United States, Music Educators National Conference, National Music Camp (Interlochen, MI), Radio Station - WILL, Rose Bowl, Sousa, John Philip, Summer Youth Music, University Records, Woodwind Instruments

Formats/Genres: Audio-Visual Material, Concert Programs, Correspondence, Musical instruments, Newspaper Clippings, Papers, Photographs, Posters, Scrapbooks, Sheet music, Sound Recordings

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of musical instruments, band uniforms, photographs, music, newsclippings, pressbooks, audiovisual recordings, concert programs, and administrative records, documenting the history of the University of Illinois Bands Department since its creation in 1905.

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

Alumni Association
American Bandmasters Association
Awards
Band, Football
Band Department
Begian, Harry
Brass Instruments
Chief Illiniwek
Clarke, Herbert L.
College Band Directors National Association
Fillmore, Henry (1881-1956)
Films
Goldman, Edwin Franko
Harding, Albert Austin
Hindsley, Mark H.
Illinois School Band Association
Illinois Summer Youth Music
Keene, James F.
Marching Illini
Musical Instrument Collections
Musical Instrument Makers - Europe
Musical Instrument Makers - United States
Music Educators National Conference
National Music Camp (Interlochen, MI)
Radio Station - WILL
Rose Bowl
Sousa, John Philip
Summer Youth Music
University Records
Woodwind Instruments

Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Instruments, ca. 1810-1950],
[Series 2: Photographs, ca. 1890-2011],
[Series 3: Uniforms, ca. 1920-2021],
[Series 4: Ephemera, 1912-2000],
[Series 5: Music, ca. 1901-1975],
[Series 6: Pressbooks, 1935-1975],
[Series 7: University of Illinois Band 16mm Films, 1932-1985],
[Series 8: Bound Concert Programs, 1906-1985],
[Series 9: University of Illinois Band Videocassettes and Sound Recordings, 1979-2004],
[Series 10: Administrative Records, 1906-2010],
[Series 11: Direct Cut Discs, 1937-1956],
[All]

Series 7: University of Illinois Band 16mm Films, 1932-1985
Includes 16mm films and audiovisual recordings of University of Illinois Football Band and Marching Illini. Contains video recordings with and without sound, documenting music and marching formations of these groups. Performances include pregame and halftime shows at football games at the University of Illinois and at away games, as well as Assembly Hall performances, highlight reels of marching band seasons, festival and competition performances, shows at Soldier Field in Chicago, and some performances by other college marching bands. Materials are arranged chronologically.
Item 1: University of Illinois Football Band, 1932View associated digital content.
16mm black and white acetate reversal film
Item 2: University of Illinois Football Band, 1933
Illinois vs. Northwestern and University of Illinois Football Band indoor rehearsal; 16mm black and white acetate
Item 3: University of Illinois Football Band and Northwestern University Band, 1934View associated digital content.
16mm black and white acetate
Item 4: University of Illinois Football Band - Selected Performances, 1934-1938View associated digital content.
16mm black and white acetate
Item 5: University of Illinois Football Band - Selected Performances, 1934-1938View associated digital content.
16mm black and white acetate; 16mm color acetate
Item 6: University of Illinois Football Band, 1934-1938View associated digital content.
Extra Footage; 16mm black and white acetate
Item 7: University of Illinois Band, 1934-1938View associated digital content.
16mm black and white acetate
Item 8: University of Illinois Football Band, 1934-1938View associated digital content.
Extra Footage; 16mm black and white acetate
Item 9: University of Illinois Football Band, 1934-1939View associated digital content.
Extra Footage; 16mm black and white acetate; 16mm color acetate
Item 10: University of Illinois Football Band, 1934-1940View associated digital content.
16mm black and white acetate; 16mm color acetate
Item 11: "Chicago Band" and Northwestern Band, 1935-1939View associated digital content.
16mm black and white acetate; 16mm color acetate
Item 12: University of Illinois Football Band, 1938View associated digital content.
Drills
Item 13: University of Illinois Football Band, 1939View associated digital content.
16mm color acetate
Item 14: University of Illinois Football Band, 1939View associated digital content.
Band Formations; 16mm black and white acetate; color acetate reversal; color acetate; color acetate reversal
Item 15: University of Illinois Football Band, 1940View associated digital content.
16mm color acetate
Item 16: University of Illinois Football Band, 1941View associated digital content.
16mm black and white acetate; 16mm color acetate
Item 17: University of Illinois Football Band, 1946View associated digital content.
16mm color acetate
Item 18: University of Illinois Football Band, 1946View associated digital content.
Item 19: University of Illinois Football Band, 1947View associated digital content.
16mm color acetate with magnetic sound strip
Item 20: University of Illinois Football Band, 1947View associated digital content.
Extra Footage
Item 21: University of Illinois Football Band and Chief smoking a peace pipe, 1947View associated digital content.
16mm color acetate with optical sound
Item 22: University of Illinois Football Band, 1949View associated digital content.
16mm color acetate
Item 23: University of Illinois Football Band, 1949View associated digital content.
Item 24: Visiting Bands at University of Illinois Football Games, 1949View associated digital content.
Acetate
Item 25: University of Illinois Football Band Highlights and pan of campus, 1966View associated digital content.
16mm color polyester
Item 26: University of Illinois Marching Illini, 1972View associated digital content.
16mm color polyester
Item 27: University of Illinois Marching Illini highlights, 1975View associated digital content.
Illinois vs. Michigan; 16mm color polyester
Item 28: University of Illinois Marching Illini, October 13, 1979View associated digital content.
16mm color polyester with optical sound
Item 29: University of Illinois Marching Illini, 1980View associated digital content.
Illinois vs. Ohio State; 16mm polyester with optical sound
Item 30: University of Illinois Marching Illini, 1981View associated digital content.
Band Festival Show; 16mm color polyester with magnetic sound
Item 31: University of Illinois Marching Illini, 1982View associated digital content.
Show number 2; 16mm color polyester with magnetic sound
Item 32: University of Illinois Marching Illini, 1982View associated digital content.
Illinois vs. Iowa; 16mm color polyester with optical sound
Item 33: University of Illinois Marching Illini, September 24, 1983View associated digital content.
Illinois vs. Michigan State; 16mm color polyester with magnetic sound
Item 34: University of Illinois Marching Illini, 1983View associated digital content.
Band Festival Show; 16mm color polyester with magnetic sound strip
Item 35: University of Illinois Marching Illini, January 2, 1984View associated digital content.
Rose Bowl Performance; 16mm polyester with magnetic sound strip
Item 36: Clegg-Band, ca. 1980'sView associated digital content.
Item 37: University of Illinois Marching Illini, ca. 1980'sView associated digital content.
Homecoming performance; 16mm color polyester with magnetic sound
Item 38: University of Illinois Marching Illini, ca. 1980'sView associated digital content.
16mm color polyester film with magnetic sound
Item 39: University of Illinois "Studio Band" rehearsal, undatedView associated digital content.
16mm black and white polyester with magnetic sound
Item 40: University of Illinois Marching Illini, undatedView associated digital content.
16mm color polyester
Item 41: University of Illinois Marching Illini, undatedView associated digital content.
16mm acetate with magnetic sound
Item 42: University of Illinois, Tulsa Parade, undatedView associated digital content.
Item 43: Unidentified, undatedView associated digital content.
Item 44: Unidentified Film 1, Undated
Item 45: Unidentified Film 2, Undated
Item 46: "Illinois Marching Band, orig. B&W", Undated
Item 47: Unidentified Film 3, Undated
Item 48: Unidentified Film 4, Undated
Item 49: Unidentified Film 5, Undated
Item 50: Unidentified Film 6, Undated
Item 51: Unidentified Film 7, Undated
Item 52: Unidentified Film 8, Undated
Item 53: Unidentified Film 9, Undated
Item 54: "Highlights- Magnetic Sound", c. 1979View associated digital content.
Item 55: Rose Bowl Dup. (Duplicate), c. 1940'sView associated digital content.
Acetate, color, severely cupped, somewhat brittle.
Item 56: March of the Illini- "The Cutting Edge", February 6, 1969View associated digital content.
Item 57: University of Illinois Football Band, Rose Bowl Performance, "A Day of Spectacle", January 1, 1963View associated digital content.
16mm color polyester with optical sound
Item 58: Marching Illini, Marching Festival, 1985View associated digital content.
Item 59: Unidentified Film, undated

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Instruments, ca. 1810-1950],
[Series 2: Photographs, ca. 1890-2011],
[Series 3: Uniforms, ca. 1920-2021],
[Series 4: Ephemera, 1912-2000],
[Series 5: Music, ca. 1901-1975],
[Series 6: Pressbooks, 1935-1975],
[Series 7: University of Illinois Band 16mm Films, 1932-1985],
[Series 8: Bound Concert Programs, 1906-1985],
[Series 9: University of Illinois Band Videocassettes and Sound Recordings, 1979-2004],
[Series 10: Administrative Records, 1906-2010],
[Series 11: Direct Cut Discs, 1937-1956],
[All]
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