Collection: Arthur L. Williams papers

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.

Dates

1914-1972
Majority of material found within 1935-1970

Use and Access to Collection

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.

Duplication and Copyright Information

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.

Extent

2.75 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Scope and Content of Collection

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.

Biography

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.

Arrangement

This collection has been divided into seven series:

Correspondence
ABA convention materials
School curriculum
Research materials
Percy Grainger files
Clippings, brochures, and newsletters
Oberlin College Band

Related Material

American Bandmasters Association records, Special Collections in Performing Arts, University of Maryland Libraries. (finding aid)

Administrative Information

Title: Arthur L. Williams papers
Status: Completed
Author: Caitlyn Callahan
Date: March 2008
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

Arthur L. Williams papers

Dates

Use and Access to Collection

Duplication and Copyright Information

Extent

Additional Description

Scope and Content of Collection

Biography

Arrangement

Related Material

Administrative Information

Library Details

Library Details

Navigate the Collection

Useful Links

Contact Us