William J. Moody papers
Collection
0443-SCPA-WMOODY
Dr. William J. Moody (1931-2018) was an American music educator, teacher, administrator, and conductor. He led bands and choirs at high schools in Rossville, Indiana and Duluth, Minnesota before working as Director of Bands at the University of Southern Mississippi, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of South Carolina at various points throughout his career. Moody also served in several roles as a member of the American Bandmasters Association and the National Band Association.
The William J. Moody papers consists of professional papers and correspondence ranging from 1953 to 2018; pedagogical materials ranging from 1960 to 2002; publications both by Moody and other authors ranging from 1958 to 2016; personal papers and correspondence ranging from 1964 to 2018; scores used by Moody in his conducting career ranging from 1938 to 2012; and recordings of Moody’s various bands, presentations, and guest conducting appearances ranging from 1964 to 2009.
The collection is open for research use. Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room during SCPA’s operating hours. Please contact the curator for an appointment or if you have questions related to digital access of the materials.
Copyright was not transferred to the University of Maryland with the gift of any copyrighted materials. All rights remain with the creators and rights holders. The University of Maryland Libraries is granted permission for the use in scholarly research by the Libraries’ patrons under fair use in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.
To inquire about duplication of materials for research or for publication, please contact SCPA’s curator.
13.5 Linear Feet
The William J. Moody papers contain materials that span the period of 1938-2018; the bulk of the material ranges from 1957 to 2012. Series 1 features materials from Moody's career as a high school and college band director as well as from his time as director of the University of South Carolina School of Music; these range from 1953 to 2018. Series 2 features teaching aids, handouts, and notes and drafts pertaining to textbooks on which Moody had collaborated; these range from 1960 to 2002. Series 3 includes published materials, both those by Moody and those by other authors; these range from 1958 to 2016. Series 4 includes Moody's personal papers, notes, and correspondence; these range from 1964 to 2018. Series 5 includes conductor's scores, many of which feature rehearsal notes and markings; it also features the score and parts from Moody's band arrangement of J. S. Bach's "Lament." The materials here range from 1938 to 2012. Series 6 features recorded materials, most of which feature various bands which Moody conducted; these range from 1964-2009.
Dr. William J. Moody (b. December 27, 1931; Duluth, Minnesota - d. April 3, 2018; Columbia, South Carolina) was a music educator, band director, and university administrator who worked in several schools and universities across the central and southeastern United States. Moody graduated as valedictorian from Proctor High School in Proctor, Minnesota where he performed in the band led by his father, John Peter Moody. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth; a Master of Music degree from Butler University, for which he authored a thesis, A Study of Choral Activities in Indianapolis Industry and Business; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Minnesota, where he completed a dissertation, An Experimental Evaluation of Two Methods of Triple Tonguing on Brass Instruments.
From 1953-1961, Moody worked as a band and choir director in public schools (first in Rossville, Indiana and then in Duluth, Minnesota) before beginning his first university teaching position at the University of Southern Mississippi (1961-1966) where he directed and wrote drill for the marching band as well as led the concert band. From 1966-1973, Moody then worked as Director of Bands at the University of Texas at Austin and served as a Vice-Chairman of the Music Department from 1970-1973. Beginning in 1973, Moody served as the director of the University of South Carolina School of Music, a position he would hold until 1990 when he returned to full-time teaching.
Moody also contributed to the profession of music education through his writing, commitment to community music-making, and work with various professional societies. In addition to publishing articles throughout his career, Moody edited the book Artistic Intelligences: Implications for Education, published by Teachers College Press in 1990. While living in Columbia, SC, Moody produced and conducted the orchestra for the Columbia Lyric Opera, a collaboration between the University of South Carolina and the Columbia Music Festival Association. He also conducted and co-founded, together with James K. Copenhaver, the Palmetto Concert Band, a community concert band that features many USC alumni and performs several concerts a year in the Columbia area.
In his work with the American Bandmasters Association, Moody served as Secretary-Treasurer from 2003-2015 and editor of the ABA’s flagship publication, Journal of Band Research, from 1995 to 2009; he was also awarded an Honorary Life Membership in 2015. Dr. Moody and his wife, Regina, coordinated the ABA's 2010 national convention in Charleston, SC. Moody was on the first Board of Directors for the National Band Association and served as President from 1968 to 1970. He was inducted into the NBA’s Hall of Fame on February 6, 2010.
This collection is organized into six series.
Gift of Regina B. Moody, April 2022, with an accrual in July 2022.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library