Finding Aid for Robert Gray Papers, Music and Instruments, 1910-2006 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Robert DeLand, Emilia Garvey, Janice Wien and Scott Schwartz

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Collection Overview

Title: Robert Gray Papers, Music and Instruments, 1910-2006

ID: 12/5/40

Primary Creator: Gray, Robert (1926-)

Extent: 9.0 cubic feet

Arrangement: Alphabetical

Date Acquired: 05/10/2007

Subjects: Brass Instruments, Music, Music, School of, Photographs, Summer Youth Music

Formats/Genres: Papers, Sheet music, Sound Recordings

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of papers, photographs, music, correspondence, teaching notes, research, and music instruments documenting Gray's professional music career as a trombone professor, performer, and church music director between 1940 and 2006. The collection is organized in three series: Series 1, Personal Papers, 1940-2006; Series 2, Music, 1929-1998; and Series 3, Historical Trombones, ca. 1910-1992. Of particular interest are the papers documenting the University Wind Ensemble's 1977 tour of South America and Gray's prototype F attachment that was an attempt to modify the Conn's 8H bass trombone design but was never put into production by the manufacturer.

Biographical Note

Robert Gray was born in Ambridge, PA on June 13, 1926 and graduated from Ohio's Muskingum College c. 1949. He received his Masters degree in trombone performance and PhD in trombone theory/pedagogy from the Eastman School of Music, and taught at Duke University, the University of Arizona, and East Carolina University. Dr. Gray joined the University of Illinois faculty in 1955, and served as professor of trombone and low brass, and director of several student wind and brass ensembles. He was also a member of the Illinois Brass Quintet, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, and the Sinfonia da Camera. He retired in 1991 after serving 36 years on the UIUC faculty. In addition to his teaching and performance responsibilities a the University Gray served on the board of advisors for the International Trombone Association and was its president from 1984-86. For most of his tenure at the University of Illinois he also taught trombone for the Illinois Summer Youth Music Camp (ISYM) from 1957-91. In addition to his teaching and research he served as the music director at Champaign, Illinois' First Presbyterian Church and concertized with his wife, organist Joan Gray, throughout his career.

Subject/Index Terms

Brass Instruments
Music
Music, School of
Photographs
Summer Youth Music

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Acquisition Source: Robert Gray

Acquisition Method: Gift

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal Papers, 1940 - 2006],
[Series 2: Original/Published Music and Sound Recordings, 1929 - 1998],
[Series 3: Historical Trombones, ca. 1910 - 1992],
[All]

Series 1: Personal Papers, 1940 - 2006

Consists of correspondence, newsclippings, music catalogs, teaching and research files, awards, photographs and concert programs. Organized in five sub-series: Sub-series 1, Student/College Reunion Papers and Early Teaching Records, 1940-2004; Sub-series 2, Professional Corresondence, 1956-2002; Sub-series 3, UI Teaching and Performance Records, 1954-2006; Sub-series 4, Research Files, 1951-1994; and Sub-series 5, First Presbyterian Church Performance Records, 1971-2001. The documents are arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronological within each subject grouping.

Sub-Series 1: Student/College Reunion Papers and Early Teaching Records, 1940 - 2004

Box 1

Folder 1: Correspondence, programs, 1940-55
Folder 2: Programs, 1943-45
Folder 3: "Eastman School of Music, Its First Quarter Century" (book), 1948
Folder 4: Correspondence, programs, 1948-57, 1979
Folder 5: Duke University, 1950-55
Folder 6: Magnificat (Bach) with notes and programs, 1950-99
Folder 7: East Carolina College, 1951-55
Folder 8: Programs, clippings, photographs, 1951-64

Box 2

Folder 1: Muskingum College, 1952-2004
Folder 2: University of Arizona, 1952-55
Folder 3: Darius Milhaud letter, 1954
Folder 4: Bulletin of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, 1954-55
Folder 5: Brevard Music Center, 1954-55
Folder 6: Emory Remington, 1957-80

Box 24

Item 1: Great Lakes Choir of 1000 Voices, Oct. 1944: Item is in Map Cabinet 3, Map Drawer 1, Folder 1
Item 2: 25th & 27th Regiment Choir, Nov. 1944: Item is in Map Cabinet 3, Map Drawer 1, Folder 1
Item 3: Faculty and Students of Muskingum College, New Concord, OH, Oct. 1945
Item 4: Faculty and Students of Muskingum College, New Concord, OH, Oct. 1946
Item 5: Faculty and Students of Muskingum College, New Concord, OH, Oct. 1947

MapCabinet 3

MapDrawer 1

Folder 1: Great Lakes Choir of 1000 Voices photo; 25th and 27th Regiment Choir photo; Honor al Merito Award, 1944, 1977

Sub-Series 2: Professional Correspondence, 1956 - 2002

Box 3

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1956-86
Folder 2: Correspondence, 1956-89
Folder 3: Correspondence from former students, 1964-87
Folder 4: Correspondence, 1966-2002
Folder 5: Correspondence, 1967-97

Box 4

Folder 1: Correspondence, Programs, Clippings, Photographs, 1971-2001
Folder 2: Correspondence, 1977-84
Folder 3: Correspondence, 1980-91
Folder 4: Correspondence on school retirement, 1991-92

Sub-Series 3: UI Teaching and Performance Records, 1954 - 2006

Box 5

Folder 1: American Federation of Musicians, Champaign Chapter, 1954-55, 1999-2006
Folder 2: Biographical file, 1962-95
Folder 3: Book Review - The Trombone in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, 1983-84
Folder 4: Employment Contracts, 1955-91
Folder 5: Former Trombone Students list, 1984-92
Folder 6: International Trombone Association, Trombone Workshops, 1971-88
Folder 7: Photographs, undated
Folder 8: Robert Gray Retirement, 1991
Folder 9: Robert Gray Trombone Award, donors, 1991-2001
Folder 10: Robert Gray Trombone Award, statements, programs and contracts, 1990-2002

Box 6

Folder 1: Trombone Clinics, educational materials, 1995-98
Folder 2: Trombone Curriculum Book, 1985-86
Folder 3: Trombone Method Books, 1966
Folder 4: UIUC Alumni Trombone Choir, 1996-97
Folder 5: UIUC and other venues, performance programs, 1957-90
Folder 6: Bemidji State University Summer Music Camp, 1959-70
Folder 7: Bemidji State University Summer Music Camp, 1971-84

Box 7: Music Catalogs and Illinois Summer Youth Music (ISYM) Camp Files

Folder 1: ASCAP Symphonic Catalog, 1959
Folder 2: C. F. Peters Catalog, 1960-85
Folder 3: Fleisher Music Collection Catalog, 1955-56
Folder 4: Library of Congress, SESAC, ISCM Catalogs, 1955-58
Folder 5: Magnamusic Catalog, 1956-79
Folder 6: Russian Catalogs, 1956-95
Folder 7: Scandinavian Catalogs, 1956-87
Folder 8: Zentralarchiv Suisse Catalogs, 1956
Folder 9: Catalogs, General, Notes and Correspondence, 1965-94
Folder 10: Musical Instruments Catalogs, 1960-70
Folder 11: ISYM, 1964-88
Folder 12: ISYM, 1972-91
Folder 13: ISYM, 1990-91

Box 8

Folder 1: International Trombone Workshop, 1973-78
Folder 2: International Trombone Workshop, 1979-80
Folder 3: International Trombone Workshop, 1981-82
Folder 4: International Trombone Workshop, 1983-84
Folder 5: International Trombone Workshop, 1985
Folder 6: International Trombone Workshop, 1986-87
Folder 7: International Trombone Workshop, 1988
Folder 8: International Trombone Workshop, 1991-92, 1997
Folder 9: UIUC Wind Ensemble, personnel, clippings, 1960-80
Folder 10: UIUC Wind Ensemble, Vaclav Nelhybel - guest conductor and composer, 1960-70, 1983
Folder 11: UIUC Wind Ensemble, National Wind Ensemble Conference, 1974

Box 9

Folder 1: UIUC Wind Ensemble, Programs (1 of 3), 1959-88
Folder 2: UIUC Wind Ensemble, Programs (2 of 3), 1959-88
Folder 3: UIUC Wind Ensemble, Programs (3 of 3), 1959-88
Folder 4: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Passports and Faculty ID
Folder 5: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, auditions and programs, 1977
Folder 6: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Chile, 1977
Folder 7: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Ecuador, 1977
Folder 8: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Guatemala, 1977
Folder 9: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Guatemala photographs, 1977

Box 10

Folder 1: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Joan Gray Journal, 1977
Folder 2: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Panama, 1977
Folder 3: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Panama photographs, 1977
Folder 4: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Paraguay, 1977
Folder 5: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Paraguay award, 1977
Folder 6: Wind Ensemble South American Tour, Uruguay, 1977

Box 23

Item 1: Photo: Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Krannert Center, March 1974
Item 2: Photo: UIUC brass quintet performance photo with R. Gray, M. Ewald, K. Machala, M. Moore, and R. Sasaki, March 1991
Item 3: Photo: Concordia Band photo - Concordia, MO, Undated

Box 24

Item 6: Award: Honor al Merito, Guatemala, 1977: Item is in Map Cabinet 3, Map Drawer 1, Folder 1

Sub-Series 4: Research Files, 1951 - 1994

Box 10

Folder 7: Trombone Literature Catalog, A-F, undated
Folder 8: Trombone Literature Catalog, G-K, undated
Folder 9: Trombone Literature Catalog, L-P, undated
Folder 10: Trombone Literature Catalog, R-Z, undated
Folder 11: Research Material, Trombones, 1951-94

Box 11: Chamber Music Index Cards - Part 1 of 2, undated

Box 12: Chamber Music Index Cards - Part 2 of 2, undated

Sub-Series 5: First Presbyterian Church Performance Records, 1972 - 2001

Box 13

Folder 1: First Presbyterian Church, Choir Records, 1972-90
Folder 2: First Presbyterian Church Correspondence, 1973-2001
Folder 3: First Presbyterian Church music arranged by Theodor Duda, 1977-82
Folder 4: First Presbyterian Church Christmas Music and notes, 1983-94
Folder 5: First Presbyterian Church "A Woman and A Coin," piece commissioned for Malcolm Nygren's retirement, 1990
Folder 6: First Presbyterian Church Gray retirement programs and correspondence, 1994
Folder 7: First Presbyterian Church Trombonists, 1997-2001

Box 14

Folder 1: Brass and Organ, music and notes, 1980's
Folder 2: Trombone and Organ Programs and Correspondence, 1992-97
Folder 3: Trombone and Organ Recital Programs, 1980-2001

Series 2: Original/Published Music and Sound Recordings, 1929 - 1998

Consists of original and published music for solo trombone and brass/wind ensembles, and sound recordings of ISYM and UI wind ensemble performances directed by Gray. Organized in three subseries: Sub-series 1, Sound Recordings, 1978-1998; Sub-series 2, Original Music, 1929-1977; and Sub-series 3, Published Music, 1933-1990. The material is arranged alphabetically within each sub-series and then chronologically. The abbreviations following each title identify the format of the music (FS) full score, (CS) condensced score, (PS) piano score, and (P) parts.

Sub-Series 1: Sound Recordings, 1978 - 1998

Box 14

Folder 4: Notes to audio recordings, undated
Folder 5: 7" REEL, John Boda: Sonatina for Baritone Horn and Synth, undated

Box 15

Item 1: "1978 ISYM W.E.", 1978
Item 2: "10-19-95 Side A Telemann", 1995
Item 3: "10-24-96 Tape II", 1996
Item 4: "10-25-95 Side A: Joseph I", 1995
Item 5: "1982 Illinois Summer Youth Music", 1982
Item 6: "1986 Illinois Summer Youth Music", 1986
Item 7: "3/8/96 Joan & Robert Gray 1st L", 1996
Item 8: "4-5-98 Recital", 1998
Item 9: "Classic Solos", undated
Item 10: "Faculty Brass Recital", 1988
Item 11: "Faculty Recital / Robert Weiss, Donald Beattie", 1984
Item 12: "ISYM Senior Orchestra Wind Ensemble 6/22/1991", 1991
Item 13: "Lacrimae Lacrimae" (DAT), undated
Item 14: "Music for Trombone and Organ I", undated
Item 15: "Music for Trombone and Organ II", 1996
Item 16: "Music for Trombone and Organ II MASTER", 1996
Item 17: "ORG/TBN Better Perf's - I", undated
Item 18: "ORG/TBN Better Perf's - II", undated
Item 19: "PR-MRU", undated
Item 20: "R & J Gray Recital 10-30-94", 1994

Box 16

Item 1: "R.Gray / J.Gray 'A' ", undated
Item 2: "S. YIYATT = Meulemaab" (sic), undated
Item 3: Senior Orchestra Wind Ens. 1987, 1987
Item 4: "Skidmarks", undated
Item 5: "SRO Wind Ensemble ISYM 1983", 1983
Item 6: "Banhert:Tableaux for Trombone and Piano - Tom Vincent, tbn", 1995
Item 7: "Tape I - 4-6-95", 1995
Item 8: "Tape II - 3-27-95", 1995
Item 9: "Tape III - 4-26-95", 1995
Item 10: "TBN + ORG Berlios", undated
Item 11: "Tear Open the Heavens", 1993
Item 12: "Trombone / IBC2 Concert 42", 1984
Item 13: "Trombone / Wind Ensemble", undated
Item 14: "Trombone and Organ MASTER", 1995
Item 15: "U. S. Marine Band - First Symphony - Knox", 1996
Item 16: "Walter C. Pelz: Our Soul...", undated
Item 17: "Wind Ens / Senior Orchestra 1989", 1989
Item 18: "Wind Ensemble / Lincolnshire Posey / Three…", undated
Item 19: "Wyatt = Otterloo 4-26-95", 1995

Sub-Series 2: Original Music, 1929 - 1977

Box 17

Folder 1: Bowman: Trio (FS, P), undated
Folder 2: Fitelberg: Capriccio (CS), 1929
Folder 3: Hovhannes: Mysterious Horse Before the Gate (P), 1964, 1970
Folder 4: Looser: Konzertante Musik (FS), 1951, 1957
Folder 5: McCulloh: Chamber Concerto (FS), 1947
Folder 6: McCulloh: Toccata (FS), 1949
Folder 7: Persichetti: Serenade #6 (FS, P), 1952
Folder 8: Starer: Concertino (PS, P), 1949
Folder 9: Tomasi: Eitre Ou Ne Pas Etre (PS, P), 1963
Folder 10: Udow: Barn Burner (PS), 1977

Box 18

Folder 1: Goeb: Quintet for Trombone and Strings (FS, P), 1952
Folder 2: Hartley: Concertino for Chamber Ensemble (FS), 1950-52
Folder 3: Hartley: Sonata da Camera for Trombone and Four Winds (FS, P), 1950
Folder 4: Hartley: Suite for Five Winds (FS, P), 1951
Folder 5: Kohan: Flight of Fancy (P), 1955
Folder 6: Premru: Concerto for Trombone and Woodwinds (FS, P), 1954
Folder 7: Sheiukman: Divertimento for Clarinet, Trumpet, and Harp (FS), 1953
Folder 8: Wyatt: Threesome (FS), 1977

Sub-Series 3: Published Music, 1933 - 1990

Box 19

Folder 1: Bach, J. S.: Magnificat (PS), undated
Folder 2: Bach (McCulloh): Three Arias from the Magnificat - J. S. Bach (McCulloh) (P), untitled
Folder 3: Barber: Untitled (PS, P), undated
Folder 4: Corelli (Marstellar - Gray): Sonata Op.5 #8 - Corelli (Marstellar - Gray) (PS, P), undated
Folder 5: Gouinguene: Concerto for Trombone - Gouinguene (PS, P), 1975
Folder 6: Grainger: The Sussex Mummer's Christmas Carol - Grainger (PS), undated
Folder 7: Handel: Sonata Op.1, #15 - Handel (PS), undated
Folder 8: Huybrechts: Concertstuk - Huybrechts (PS, P), 1944
Folder 9: Remington (Hunsberger): Remington Warm Up Exercises (P), 1980
Folder 10: Remington: Warm Up Exercises (P), undated
Folder 11: Sibelius: Romance (PS, P), c 1990
Folder 12: Sporny: Warm Up Exercises (P), undated
Folder 13: Unidentified: Warm Up Exercises (P), undated
Folder 14: Wagenseil (Janetzky): Concerto for Trombone (PS, P), c 1963

Box 20

Folder 1: Bach (Beversdorf): Haste, Ye Shepherds (PS, P), undated
Folder 2: Beeson: Music for Two Earnest Instruments - Beeson (PS, P), undated
Folder 3: Duncan: Divertimento for Trombone and String Quartet - Duncan (FS, P), 1955
Folder 4: Handel (Beversdorf): Air from Celestial Seats Descending from Hercules - Handel (Beversdorf) (PS, P), undated

Box 21

Folder 1: Huybrechts: Andante for Trombone Quartet, Suite for 3 Bassoons, Suite voor 4 Saxophones (FS), 1959
Folder 2: Wolfe: Konzert fur flote, Klarinette, Fagott, Trumbete, B. Horn, Posaune, Geige, Cello, Klavier (FS), 1933-34

Series 3: Historical Trombones, ca. 1910 - 1992

Box 22

Item 1: Original F Attachment Valve Portion from Conn 8H, ca. 1951: See also Item 1 (shelved in original case).

Item 1: C. G. Conn 8H Tenor Trombone, 1951

Note: Contains prototype f-attachment bell portion. See also Box 22 Item 1.

Accession number: 2007.120540.02

Item 2: C. G. Conn 36H tenor trombone, 1992

Accession number: 2007.120540.03

Item 3: Holton Beaufort Model tenor trombone, ca. 1910

Note: Bell Flare has been lathed off.

Accession number: 2007.120540.01

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal Papers, 1940 - 2006],
[Series 2: Original/Published Music and Sound Recordings, 1929 - 1998],
[Series 3: Historical Trombones, ca. 1910 - 1992],
[All]