Finding Aid for James F Keene Personal Papers, 1923-2008 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: James F Keene Personal Papers, 1923-2008

ID: 12/9/28

Primary Creator: Keene, James F. (1948-2022)

Extent: 8.3 cubic feet

Arrangement: Organized in four series: Series 1, University of Illinois Bands Administrative Records, 1923-2008; Series 2, Professional Associations Correspondence and Records, 1930-2007; Series 3, Guest Lecturer, Conductor, and Adjudicator Records, 1986-2008; and Series 4, Personal Education and Non-Illinois Career Papers, 1970-2004. All series are arranged alphabetically.

Date Acquired: 10/24/2008

Subjects: American Bandmasters Association, Awards, Band Clinics, Band Department, Bands, Budget, College Band Directors National Association, Conducting--Instruction and Study, Conductors (Music), Faculty Papers, Marching bands, Marching Illini, Music, School of, Rotary Club, University of Illinois

Formats/Genres: Concert Programs, Financial Records, Newspaper Clippings, Papers, Photographs, Sound Recordings

Languages: English

Consists of personal papers, photographs, administrative records, audio recordings, and lecture notes, documenting James F. Keene's career as the director of the University of Illinois Bands, 1985-2008, as well as his time spent at the University of Michigan, East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University), and the University of Arizona. Keene's papers also highlight his time as President of the American Band Association, Chairman of the Otswald Competition Contest (1996-1998), and President of the Champaign Rotary Club (1995-96). Of particular interest is a 1952 audio recording of Leopold Stokowski in rehearsal with Illinois music ensembles and early University of Illinois Bands concert programs.

James Frederick Keene (1948-2022) was born in Detroit, Michigan. Keene earned his bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Michigan, where he studied with William Revelli, Elizabeth Green, and Larry Teal. Keene came to the University of Illinois in 1985 after directing the band program at the University of Arizona (1983-1985) and East Texas State University (1975-1980) and after serving as the Assistant Director of Bands with the University of Michigan (1973-1975). He retired in 2008 after a distinguished 23 year career (1985-2008) as the Director of Bands at the University of Illinois School of Music, just the fourth person to hold the title since 1905. During his tenure at the University of Illinois he was awarded the title of Brownfield Distinguished Professor of Music, performed at Carnegie Hall, and conducted the University Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony at major national and international music conferences. Commercial recordings of band concerts that he conducted  have been broadcast on U.S. National Public Radio and internationally on radio programs in Asia, Australia, and Europe. Keene was a Past-President of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA), Big Ten Band Directors Association, and National Band Association. He was one of just six people to be awarded the Honorary Life Membership for the Texas Bandmaster Association. Besides membership in professional and honorary societies, Keene was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation, serving as president of the Champaign Rotary Club in 1995-1996. He served on the ABA's "The Journal of Band Research" Editorial Board and chairman for the ABA Ostwald Composition Contest. Keene also chaired the University Bands Division Bachelors and Masters of Music programs at his alma mater, the University of Michigan.

American Bandmasters Association
Awards
Band Clinics
Band Department
Bands
Budget
College Band Directors National Association
Conducting--Instruction and Study
Conductors (Music)
Faculty Papers
Marching bands
Marching Illini
Music, School of
Rotary Club
University of Illinois

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public with the exception of the following restrictions: Box 1, folder 39, Box 3, folder 31, Box 4, folder 85, Box 5, folders 1 and 21, Box 6, folders 25, 26, and 34, and Box 8, folder 66. These files become open in 2038.

Acquisition Source: James F. Keene

Acquisition Method: Donation