Arthur L. Williams papers
Collection
0066-SCPA-ABA
Arthur L. Williams (1902-1973) was a researcher and musician. He was appointed to the faculty of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in 1928 and founded the Ohio Intercollegiate Band Festival and the Ohio School Orchestra Contests in 1929. In 1950, Williams was elected to the American Bandmaster's Association (ABA) and served as chairman of ABA Research Sub-Committee on Band Research Study Topics. The collection contains Williams' correspondence with ABA members regarding band research. Included are also programs from ABA conventions, music pamphlets, and his personal research on Percy Grainger.
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.
2.75 Linear Feet
The Arthur L. Williams papers cover the period from 1914-1972; the bulk dates of the materials date from 1935-1970. The papers consist of both personal and professional papers including correspondence, programs, pamphlets, ABA Convention materials, and articles relating to Williams' personal interest in Ohio band history, Percy Grainger, and the ABA Research Sub-Committee on Band Research Study Topics.
Arthur Lyman Williams was born on April 21, 1902 in Oberlin, Ohio. As a young man, Williams was a charter member of Jack Wainwright's Oberlin Boys Band. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor of School Music from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in 1925. From 1932 until 1933, he was a student of Gordon Jacob at the Royal College of Music in London. In 1943, Williams also earned a Master of Arts from the Western Reserve University Graduate School (now Case Western Reserve University).
Williams was highly active in music education, especially in Ohio. After teaching high school in Michigan, Williams was appointed to the faculty of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in 1928. He founded the Ohio Intercollegiate Band Festival and the Ohio School Orchestra Contests in 1929. He served as President of the Ohio Music Education Association (1931-1932) and founded the state music education publication Triad. On June 23, 1932, Williams married Mary Eleanor Maltbie.
In 1950, Williams was elected to the American Bandmaster's Association (ABA) and served as chairman of ABA Research Sub-Committee on Band Research Study Topics. Williams worked closely with Paul Yoder, chairman of the ABA Research committee. In addition to his duties with ABA, Williams served as the official representative for History and Tradition of the band in Ohio. Williams died on February 19, 1973.
This collection has been divided into seven series:
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library