Finding Aid for Carl Busch Papers and Music Instrument Collection, circa 1833-1924 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Carl Busch Papers and Music Instrument Collection, circa 1833-1924

ID: 12/9/91

Primary Creator: Busch, Carl (1862-1943)

Extent: 50.0 cubic feet

Arrangement: The collection of papers and music instruments is organized into four series. Series 1, Music, is arranged alphabetically by either composer or arranger. Whenever possible an identification of the format of the music for each title (i.e., full score, condensed score, piano score, and parts) has been noted with the corresponding abbreviations, FS, CS, PS, P. Series 2, Correspondence, Books and Manuscripts, is arranged alphabetically by author. Series 3, Photographs and Ephemera, is arranged by type of material and alphabetically by subject. Series 4, Music Instruments, is arranged by instrument type. A 1912 bust of Carl Busch is also included at the end of this series.

Subjects: American Bandmasters Association, Brass Instruments, Composers, Conducting-Music, Denmark, Kansas City, Missouri, Musical Instrument Collections, Musical Instrument Makers - Europe, Musical Instrument Makers - United States, Music Composition, Music Educators National Conference, National Music Camp (Interlochen, MI), Woodwind Instruments

Formats/Genres: Papers

Languages: English

The collection consists of original and published music by Carl Busch and other musicians, correspondence, newspaper and journal clippings, photographs, programs, books and music instruments, documenting the career of Danish-born composer and conductor, Carl Busch. Of note are Busch's collected sarrusophones, over-the-shoulder cornets, wooden flutes, and other 19th century instruments.

Carl Busch (1862 -1943) was a Danish born conductor, composer, educator and collector of music instruments. Born in Bjerre, Denmark, Busch studied at the Copenhagen Conservatory of Music with Niels Gade and J.P.E. Hartmann, the Brussels Conservatory, and in Paris with Benjamin Godard. In 1887 he emigrated to the United States, settling in Kansas City. During his distinguished career, he served as the conductor of the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra (1911-1918). In 1912, he was knighed by the King of Denmark for his contributions of spreading Danish music to the United States.

During this time his students included Robert Russell Bennett and William Dawson. Between 1924 and 1938 he taught at the Chicago Musical College (1924-1926). In 1927 he taught at Brigham Young University, Notre Dame University, and the Kansas City Horner Conservatory. In 1928, he joined the faculty of the National Music Camp at Interlochen, assisting Joseph Maddy with the opening of the camp. From 1933-1938, he taught at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

In the late 12920s, Busch became a strong supporter of the school band movement, serving as an adjudicator for band contests throughout Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Illinois, and Oklahoma. His windband composition, A Chant from the Great Plains, won the first Goldman Band Composition Contest in 1920. From 1930 to 1948 Busch composed entirely for wind band, including two marches dedicated to Joseph Maddy, Suite for Band (1930) and The Spirit of Interlochen March (1931). In 1930, Busch was elected an honorary life member of the American Bandmasters Association.

American Bandmasters Association
Brass Instruments
Composers
Conducting-Music
Denmark
Kansas City, Missouri
Musical Instrument Collections
Musical Instrument Makers - Europe
Musical Instrument Makers - United States
Music Composition
Music Educators National Conference
National Music Camp (Interlochen, MI)
Woodwind Instruments