Finding Aid for Anna Fay Herron Bush Papers, 1847-2019 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Anna Fay Herron Bush Papers, 1847-2019

ID: 12/9/158

Primary Creator: Anna Fay Herron Bush (1921-2016)

Extent: 14.25 cubic feet

Arrangement:

The materials are organized in seven series: Series 1, Education Materials and Professional Correspondence, 1890-1999; Series 2, Personal Papers, 1924-1961; Series 3, Bohumir Kryl Orchestra Correspondence and Digital Photographs, ca. 1945-1947; Series 4, Church Choir Library Scores and Flyers, 1895-1996; Series 5, Sheet Music Collection, 1895-1963; Series 6, Musical Instruments; and Series 7, Sarah Bush Randolf Personal and Instructional Materials. Series 2 contains two sub-series: Sub-series 1, Personal and Family Papers and Sub-series 2, College Education Materials and Music Study Scores. Series 5 is split into two sub-series: Sub-series 1, Original Acquisitions; and Subseries 2: Sheet Music Collection Additions.

Since there was no original order for the materials, order was imposed by the archivist and became more defined as more materials were acquired. Series 1 and Series 2 are arranged chronologically, with the exception of the music study scores in Sub-Series 2, which have been arranged alphabetically by score type and title of composition. Series 3 has been arranged alphabetically by subject, person, and location. Series 4 and 5 have been arranged alphabetically by title of composition. Series 7 is arranged chronologically.

Date Acquired: 08/10/2017. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Kryl, Bohumir, 1875-1961, Music - Instruction and study, Musical Instrument Makers, Music teachers

Languages: English

Consists of music instrument catalogs; lists of sheet music for schools and bands; teacher's instructional notes, music programs, newsletters, and correspondence documenting Anna Fay Herron Bush's career as a public school music teacher in rural southern Illinois (ca. 1950s-1970s) and performance career as an oboist in the Kryl Women's Symphony Orchestra in 1945; and photographs, concert programs, correspondence, certificates, newspapers, music books and journals, documenting Herron's daughter Sarah's career working with the Selmaville Ambassadors and Music Department. Of particular interest are a series of postcards and photos describing her time spent touring with the Kryl Women's Symphony Orchestra, including postcards describing her lessons with oboist Frances Napolilli, funded by Kryl.

Anna Fay Herron Bush was born in Windsor, IL on September 12, 1921. Her father and mother were both school teachers. She attended high school in Windsor, IL and graduated in 1939. She received a teaching certificate from Eastern Illinois in 1946, a Bachelors of Music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1947, and a Master of Science in Education (Administration) degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1971. She taught for over 33 years in grade and high schools in Clay, Jasper, Crawford and Clark Counties in Illinois. Before she was married, Anna Fay Herron played professionally with Bohumir Kyrl's Women's Symphony Orchestra of Chicago on the orchestra's 1945 tour. After the tour, she became a member of several national music and education associations. As an active church choir director, she led worship activites at her local church in Oblong, Illinois as well as other church choirs near Effingham, Illinois. Anna Fay Herron Bush passed away on March 31, 2016.

Kryl, Bohumir, 1875-1961
Music - Instruction and study
Musical Instrument Makers
Music teachers

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: Additional accruals were made on July 24, 2018; September 1, 2018; June 6, 2019; July 22, 2019; July 7, 2023; and October 25, 2023.

Acquisition Source: Sarah Randolph, Joliet, Illinois

Acquisition Method: Gift