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The University of Pennsylvania Libraries has acquired a collection of early-nineteenth-century editions of music by Philadelphia bandleader and composer Francis Johnson (1792-1844). Although a free African American, Johnson lived in an age when racial segregation and prejudice were commonplace. Despite these obstacles, he was able to achieve extraordinary renown and respect among the elite of Philadelphia through performances of his band at balls, parades, and promenade concerts. Following a series of concert tours late in his life, Johnson's fame eventually extended through the Midwest and across the Atlantic to London. His music survives today in piano arrangements published during his lifetime. The collection acquired by the Penn Libraries was assembled by the late Kurt Stein, a Philadelphia-area collector of Americana. For more information, contact Dick Griscom at griscom@upenn.edu.

Posted by John Anderies at 1:41 PM | Permalink

For nearly twenty years, the IUP Music Library has had a special collection of marching band and drill team materials donated by Albert R. Casavant.   This collection has finally been cataloged and is available for public use.

Casavant (1917-2002) was a highly acclaimed marching band educator and clinician.  In the 1950s, he was the driving force behind the development of precision drill, a style of marching where the band would create intricate formations using lines and small groups.  This style became the standard for marching bands at football game halftime shows.  Precision drill was also the immediate precursor to the drum corps style of marching today.

Casavant did extensive research to develop precision drill.  His collection contains materials on military tactics, drills, uniforms and marching.  He authored more than 150 instructional books showing band directors how to create precision drills and many of his published works are found in our collection.   There are also some rare works not found in any other library, including several dating from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Three of the five Casavant children became university professors or researchers, working in fields that Casavant studied.  A.R’s son Charles Casavant was a Professor of Music and Director of “The Legend” the IUP Marching Band from 1976 to 2001.

--Carl Rahkonen, Music Librarian & Professor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Posted by at 9:33 AM | Permalink

As the oldest institution of higher education in Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1751, has been the frequent choice of local musical organizations and musicians as a home for letters, scores, photographs, sound recordings, and other materials that document their contribution to Philadelphia's rich musical heritage.  This article describes some of the more significant collections housed at the Penn Library that offer researchers invaluable sources for studying the musical life of the city.

Continue reading "Music Collections at the University of Pennsylvania
by Richard Griscom" »

Posted by at 8:29 AM | Permalink