Arthur Brandenburg papers
Collection
0033-SCPA-ABA
Arthur H. Brandenburg (February 21, 1899 - August 23, 1986) was an American music educator and bandleader in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He was a member of the American School Band Director's Association (ASBDA) and the American Bandmasters Association (ABA), serving as the first director of the ABA Research Center. The collection consists of professional papers including correspondence, programs, administrative documents, curriculum materials, pedagogical/instruction materials, photographs, and newspaper clippings from Brandenburg's tenure with Elizabeth Public Schools and Recreation Concert Band, and correspondence and administrative materials relating to the ABA Research Center. There are also assorted personal materials related to Brandenburg's service with the Kiwanis as well as his personal and family life.
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.
Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Contact the curator for an appointment: http://www.lib.umd.edu/scpa/contact
22.50 Linear Feet
English
The Arthur Brandenburg papers cover the period from 1888 to 1983; the bulk of the materials date from 1922 to 1980. The collection consists of professional papers including correspondence, programs, administrative documents, curriculum materials, pedagogical/instruction materials, photographs, and newspaper clippings from Brandenburg's tenure with Elizabeth Public Schools and Recreation Concert Band and correspondence and administrative materials relating to the ABA Research Center. The collection also contains assorted personal materials related to Brandenburg's service with the Kiwanis as well as his personal and family life.
Arthur H. Brandenburg, an American music educator and bandleader, was born in Waverly, Iowa on February 21, 1899. He graduated salutatorian of Waverly High School in 1916 and would receive degrees in music and political science from Grinnell College, Iowa in 1920. After a single year as principal of the Donnybrook, North Dakota Consolidated High School, Brandenburg enrolled in Columbia University, where he studied under Daniel Gregory Mason, earning a Master's degree in music in 1923.
Between 1924 and 1960, Brandenburg taught music in the Elizabeth, New Jersey Public Schools. There he organized the city's first high school and junior high school bands. By 1942, Brandenburg would become Director of Music for Elizabeth Public Schools, covering three high schools, four junior high schools and nineteen grade schools. In addition to teaching, Brandenburg worked as a church organist and a summer music instructor at Rutgers University, the Ernest Williams Summer Camp, and New York University, and founded and directed the Elizabeth Recreation Concert Band.
During his career, Brandenburg was an active member of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), joining in 1954 and serving as Vice-President (1956), President (1957), and on the Board of Directors (1956-1961). He received the ASBDA distinguished service award in 1961. Brandenburg was also elected to the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) in 1960, becoming the first director of the ABA Research Center in 1963. Arthur Brandenburg died in Alexandria, VA on August 23, 1986.
This collection is organized into seven series.
Bulk of materials received as gift of Arthur Brandenburg, January 12, 1984. Several previous donations by Brandenburg were incorporated into the collection, and another large amount of materials was received in 1995 from his daughter, Lois Beck [95-60-ABA].
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library