The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the University of Chicago Band Records 1898-1969
© 2013 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | University of Chicago. Band. Records |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1898-1969 |
| Size: | 2.5 linear feet (2 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | The University of Chicago band performed for university athletic functions and in indoor concerts. The records contain correspondence, drill charts and routines, clippings, and administrative records dating from 1898 to 1969, with the bulk of the material from 1927 to 1942. |
The collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: University of Chicago. Band. Records [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
The University of Chicago band started in 1898 as the University of Chicago Military Band. It received the hearty support of President William Rainey Harper, himself a cornet player in the band. The first director was physics professor Glenn Moody Hobbs, and the band's first performance was in concert in Kent Hall on December 16, 1898. The band operated initially under the auspices of the athletics department, and members (all men) were paid a modest amount for their service. They performed in uniforms of maroon sweaters, white shirts with maroon ties, white wool pants, and, in inclement weather, overcoats and sailor caps.
In 1922 C. D. Greenleaf, university and band alumnus and president of the Conn musical instrument company, donated 100 instruments to the band. This donation included Big Bertha, the 8 ½-foot bass drum that became a sort of band mascot. Photocopies of articles and photographs of Big Bertha remain in the University's General Archival File.
In the late 1920s efforts picked up to make the band a year-round organization, offering concerts outside of football season. In 1935, administrative and financial oversight and support of the band was transferred from the athletic department to the music department. That same year, accomplished bandleader and music educator Harold Bachman was hired as director. As reflected in some of his correspondence, he was also a consultant to the Educational Music Bureau, a Chicago organization devoted to school music. Despite Bachman's leadership, advocacy, and reputation, the band occasionally had a difficult time justifying its musical bona fides (and therefore its existence) to the department. Bachman's tenure at the university ended in 1942 when he was called to active duty in WWII.
The history of the band is spotty from WWII onwards. After Bachman's departure, the band program largely died out, re-emerging from time to time as a pep band, performing in the stands at athletic events but not performing field shows. The concert band gave occasional performances as well, before the creation of the University Wind Ensemble.
Big Bertha was sold to a Texas oilman in 1955, who had her refurbished. She is now in the possession of the University of Texas Longhorn Band.
The collection is divided into four series:
Series 1, General Records, contains correspondence and memos, financial and insurance records, member lists, and other administrative records and ephemera, arranged chronologically.
Series 2, Concerts, contains programs, correspondence, publicity, and other material related to concert performances, arranged chronologically.
Series 3, Marching Band, contains records of football games and other marching band performances – correspondence, routines, charts, formations, etc. – as well as songs and cheers, also arranged chronologically.
Series 4, Oversize, largely contains newspapers and clippings, many of them brittle and crumbling, and oversize inventory and field formation charts. The charts come first, followed by clippings and then newspapers in alphabetical order by title (all from 1937).
The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/spcl/select.html
University of Chicago. General Archival File
Music Relating to the University of Chicago. Records
Stagg, Amos Alonzo. Papers
A collection of Harold Bachman's papers is held by the University of Florida, and records related to his tenure at the University of Chicago band can be found there. http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/archome/MS39.htm
Series I: General Records |
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Article in Support of Band, 1898 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Payroll and Voucher Lists, 1923-1927 |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Insurance – Correspondence and Inventories, 1925-1939 |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Other Inventories and Lending Records, 1926-1942, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Correspondence, 1927-1928 |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | Budget, 1928 |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Memos to Members and Prospective Members, 1936-1941 |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Memoranda and Annual Reports, 1936-1942 |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Tower Topics Newsletters, 1937-1940 |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | Menus, 1938 |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | Member Lists, 1941, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | Correspondence, 1941-1942 |
| Box 1 Folder 13 | Newsletters, 1941-1942, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 14 | Budget Proposal, 1968 |
| Box 1 Folder 15 | Constitution and Amendment, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 16 | Draft of Memo or Newsletter, undated |
Series II: Concerts |
| Box 1 Folder 17 | Concert Publicity –Tower Topics, 1936-1940 |
| Box 1 Folder 18 | Fortieth Anniversary Concert – Publicity and Mailing Lists, 1938 |
| Box 1 Folder 19 | Fortieth Anniversary Concert – Correspondence and Programs, 1938 |
| Box 1 Folder 20 | Miscellaneous Playing Engagements – Correspondence, 1938-1940 |
| Box 1 Folder 21 | Annual Concerts – Announcements, Programs, Correspondence, 1939-1957 |
| Box 1 Folder 22 | Clark High School Concert – Correspondence, Publicity, Program, 1940 |
| Box 1 Folder 23 | Concert Publicity – Mailing Lists, 1940 |
| Box 1 Folder 24 | Concert Publicity – Clippings, 1940, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 25 | Correspondence – Concert Music, 1941 |
| Box 1 Folder 26 | Fiftieth Anniversary Concert – Correspondence, Program, 1941 |
| Box 1 Folder 27 | Wheaton Concert – Correspondence, Personnel Lists, Receipt, 1941-1942, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 28 | Concert Fliers, 1955 |
| Box 1 Folder 29 | Concert Program, 1969 |
| Box 1 Folder 30 | Annual Concerts – Programs, Announcement, undated |
Series III: Marching Band |
| Box 1 Folder 31 | University Playing Engagements – Correspondence, 1927-1928 |
| Box 1 Folder 32 | Ohio State Games – Correspondence, Charts, 19257, 1932 |
| Box 1 Folder 33 | Jubilee Parade – Clipping, circa 1934 |
| Box 1 Folder 34 | Tower Topics – Ohio State Game, 1935 |
| Box 1 Folder 35 | Correspondence – Flag Formation, 1936 |
| Box 1 Folder 36 | University of Illinois Game – Routine and Charts, 1936 |
| Box 1 Folder 37 | Beloit Game – Charts, 1937 |
| Box 1 Folder 38 | Princeton Game – Charts, 1937 |
| Box 1 Folder 39 | University of Michigan Game – Charts, 1937 |
| Box 1 Folder 40 | Ohio State Game – Instructions, Memo, 1937 |
| Box 1 Folder 41 | Ohio State Game – Routines, Charts, 1938 |
| Box 1 Folder 42 | Harvard Game/All-Star Twirling Club – Correspondence, Instructions, Charts, Clipping – 1938-1939 |
| Box 1 Folder 43 | Ohio State Game – Charts, Instructions, Correspondence, 1939 |
| Box 1 Folder 44 | University of Michigan Game – Correspondence, Instructions, Charts, 1939 |
| Box 1 Folder 45 | University of Illinois Game – Correspondence, Charts, Routine, 1939 |
| Box 1 Folder 46 | Oberlin Game – Correspondence, Plans, Charts, 1939 |
| Box 1 Folder 47 | Vanderbilt Game – Routine with Chart, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 48 | Various Football Games – Routines, and Charts, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 49 | Songs and Partial Drill Routine, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 50 | Marching Band – Charts, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 51 | Description of Big Bertha, undated |
Series IV: Oversize |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Check, 1927 |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Marching Band – Charts, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Clippings, 1937-1940 |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Chicago Daily News – Concert Announcement, 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Chicago Herald and Examiner – Concert Announcements, 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Chicago Sunday Tribune – Concert Announcement, 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Hyde Park Weekly – Concert Announcement, 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Oakland-Kenwood Outlook – Concert Announcement, 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Southeast Economist – Concert Announcement, 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | South Shore Newscaster – Concert Announcement, 1937 |
| Box 2 Folder 11 | Woodlawn Booster – Concert Announcement, 1937 |