Donald McGinnis papers
Collection
0192-SCPA
Dr. Donald McGinnis (1917-2016) was a prominent band director, clarinetist, flutist, teacher, and clinician through the middle of the 20th century. He served as the woodwind instructor and assistant director of the Concert Band and Marching Band in 1941 at the Ohio State University. In 1952 he was promoted to director of the Ohio State University Concert Band, which he led in performances at Carnegie Hall and other tours. Dr. McGinnis held this position until he retired in 1979. The Donald McGinnis Papers covers the period from 1939-2015; the bulk of the materials date from 1940 to 1990. The collection consists of both personal and professional papers including correspondence, band materials, programs, educational materials, photographs, clippings, scores, and recordings related to Dr. McGinnis's work as a music educator, clarinetist, flutist, and conductor, including his work with the Ohio State University, American Bandmasters Association, the Midwest Clinic, the College Band Director’s National Association, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra.
There are no restricted files in this collection.
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. Please contact the curator with any questions.
31 Linear Feet
The Donald McGinnis Papers covers the period from 1939 to 2015; the bulk of the materials date from 1940 to 1990. The collection includes correspondence, concert programs, educational materials, photographs, realia, clippings, solo and ensemble scores, and musical recordings. Materials document Donald McGinnis's career as a music educator, clarinetist, flutist, and conductor with ensembles and organizations including the US Navy Pre-Flight School Band, Ohio State University Concert Band, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Music Educators Association, Midwest Clinic, College Band Director’s National Association, and American Bandmasters Association.
Dr. Donald McGinnis (1917-2016) was a prominent band director, clarinetist, flutist, music educator, and music clinician through the middle and late parts of the 20th century. Dr. McGinnis graduated from Oberlin Conservatory in 1941 with Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Clarinet Performance under George Waln. That same year, McGinnis joined the faculty of Ohio State University (OSU) to teach woodwinds, assist the Concert and Marching Bands, and conduct the regimental bands.
After McGinnis won the Principal Clarinet chair with the Columbus Philharmonic in 1941, he enlisted in the US Navy in May 1942. McGinnis was was principal clarinet in the US Navy Pre-Flight School Band and the assistant conductor of the US Navy Preflight School Chamber Orchestra in Iowa City. In 1942, McGinnis also began graduate studies at the University of Iowa with clarinetist Himie Voxman. McGinnis received a commission as Ensign in 1944 and was assigned to the US Naval Communications School at Harvard. After a one-year tour of duty in the South Pacific as a communications officer, McGinnis received an honorable discharge with the rank Lieutenant Junior Grade.
In 1946, McGinnis earned his Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Iowa, and returned to OSU as the Associate Conductor of the OSU Concert Band and full-time flute professor. McGinnis continued to perform on a part-time basis with the Columbus Philharmonic through 1949 and was appointed Head of the Instrumental Division at OSU in 1950.
From 1951-1953, McGinnis pursued a Ph.D. in Music Composition at the University of Iowa. McGinnis was named Interim Director of the OSU Concert Band in 1952, and was promoted to Associate Professor and Director of the OSU Concert Band in 1953. He led the group in performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, national tours, and recording projects. Dr. McGinnis was appointed Chairman of OSU School of Music Performance Division in 1969, Acting Director of the School of Music in 1973, and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1979.
Dr. McGinnis was elected into the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) in 1956, President in 1978, Honorary Life Member in 1999, and Honorary Life President in 2007. Additional awards include the Medal of Honor from the Midwest Clinic in 1988 and honorary memberships in Phi Beta Mu and Tau Beta Sigma.
Dr. McGinnis was active in the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), Music Educators National Convention (MENC), Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Federation of Music, and National Flute Association. McGinnis guest conducted numerous college, high school, and professional ensembles. He recorded four clarinet albums in the 1960s, and published Etudes for the Advanced Clarinetist in 1969, his 1953 Ph.D. dissertation Symphony for Band in 1977, and pedagogy articles in The Instrumentalist and School Musician throughout his career.
This collection is organized into eleven series.
The McGinnis presidential materials are part of the American Bandmasters Association Archives. His personal papers were donated in 2013 with three accruals accessioned in 2018.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library