Collection: Raymond F. Dvorak papers

Raymond F. Dvorak (1900-1982) was an American band director and music educator who spent much of his career as director of the University of Wisconsin bands. The Dvorak Papers covers the period from 1876 to 1987, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1960 to 1980. The collection consists of both personal and professional papers, including published and collected articles, correspondence, programs, memorabilia, and photographs related to Dvorak's work as a band director, particularly those documenting his efforts in memorializing John Philip Sousa.

Dates

1876-1987
Majority of material found within 1960-1980

Use and Access to Collection

The collection is open for research use.

Duplication and Copyright Information

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

Extent

4.50 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Scope and Content of Collection

The Raymond F. Dvorak papers covers the period from 1876 to 1987; the bulk of the materials date from 1960 to 1980. The collection consists of both personal and professional papers, including published and collected articles, correspondence, programs, memorabilia, and photographs related to Dvorak's work as a band director, particularly those documenting his interest in memorializing John Philip Sousa.

Biography

Raymond Francis Dvorak was born in Algonquin, Illinois on March 31, 1900. He received a B.S. (1922) and a B.M. (1926) from the University of Illinois, where he also served as assistant director of the bands and director of the Glee Club from 1926 to 1934. From 1934-1968 he served as director of the University of Wisconsin bands. Dvorak was elected to the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) in 1933 and served as President in 1959. Though he retired in 1968, he remained active as a guest conductor and worked on efforts to memorialize John Philip Sousa, helping to establish Stars and Stripes Forever as the official march of the United States and to have Sousa enshrined in the Hall of Fame for Great Americans. In 1980, Dvorak was made an Honorary Life Member of the ABA. Dvorak died November 15, 1982 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into four series.

Series 1: Correspondence
Series 2: Biographical Materials
Series 3: Professional Papers
Series 4: John Philip Sousa

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

Donated by Florence H. Dvorak, his wife, in 1985 and on October 30, 1989; Bruce Wilson on December 1, 1989 and February 1, 1990. Also incorporates materials donated by Paul Yoder.

Related Material

Dvorak, Raymond F. The Band on Parade. New York: C. Fischer, 1937. [Lowens Special Collection Room, MT733.D985 B2]
Raymond F. Dvorak Interview, University of Wisconsin oral history collection. Interview conducted by Donna S. Taylor, September 1972.
Raymond F. Dvorak Papers, 1922-34, 1957-58. University of Illinois Archives.
Lynn L. Sams Papers, Special Collections in Performing Arts, University of Maryland. Further information on Dvorak, as well as the Sousa enshrinement.
John J. Heney Collection, Special Collections in Performing Arts, University of Maryland. Iformation about the Sousa Band Fraternal Society.

For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.

Topics

Administrative Information

Title: Raymond F. Dvorak papers
Status: Completed
Author: Bradley Mariska, August 2003 and Dave Travis, October 2010
Date: 2003-08-29
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: English
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: Finding aid written in English

Library Details

Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library

http://www.lib.umd.edu/mspal

Contact:
University of Maryland Libraries
8270 Alumni Drive
College Park MD 20742 United States
scpa@umd.edu

Raymond F. Dvorak papers

Dates

Use and Access to Collection

Duplication and Copyright Information

Extent

Additional Description

Scope and Content of Collection

Biography

Arrangement

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

Related Material

Topics

Administrative Information

Library Details

Library Details

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