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.
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, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Contact the curator for an appointment: http://www.lib.umd.edu/scpa/contact
4.50 Linear Feet
English
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.
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.
This collection is organized into four series.
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.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library