Edward H. Margetson Music Manuscripts, 1917-1962

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

• Series I: Manuscripts, Photograph, Citations, and Memorials
• Series II: Sacred Solos
• Series III: Sacred Duets
• Series IV: Sacred Choruses (mixed voices)
• Series V: Sacred Choruses (mixed voices--junior choir)
• Series VI: Series V: Sacred Choruses (mixed voices--women's voices)
• Series VII: Non Sacred Solos
• Seris VIII: Non-Sacred Dutets
• Series IX: Non-Sacred Choruses (mixed voices)
• Series X: Non-Sacred Song Cycles
• Series XI: Non-Sacred Song Cycles (women's voices)
• Series XII: Piano Music
• Series XIII: Organ Music
• Series XIV: Violin and Piano Music
• Series XV: Violocelllo and Piano Music
• Series XVI: Organ and Piano Music
• Series XVII: String Quartet
• Series XVIII: String Quintet
• Series XIX: Woodwinds
• Series XX: Orchestra
• Series XXI: Brass and Percussion
• Series XXII: Sketchbooks and Fragments

Description

Summary

Manuscripts of musical scores, memorabilia and photograph. Folder 1 of the collection includes a general index (d. March 1945), photograph, awards, 5 citations, and a biographical sketch. His musical compositions (folders 2-26) are divided in three major categories: sacred and non-sacred vocal music, and musical compositions for instruments. His sacred choruses for mixed voices has been highly praised. His non-sacred vocal music seems to deal with children, nature, and poetic topics; also included are arrangements of Stephen Foster's songs for choruses. Among his musical compositions for instruments are some with Caribbean or West Indian themes

• Series I: Manuscripts, Photograph, Citations, and Memorials

• Series II: Sacred Solos

• Series III: Sacred Duets

• Series IV: Sacred Choruses (mixed voices)

• Series V: Sacred Choruses (mixed voices--junior choir)

• Series VI: Series V: Sacred Choruses (mixed voices--women's voices)

• Series VII: Non Sacred Solos

• Seris VIII: Non-Sacred Dutets

• Series IX: Non-Sacred Choruses (mixed voices)

• Series X: Non-Sacred Song Cycles

• Series XI: Non-Sacred Song Cycles (women's voices)

• Series XII: Piano Music

• Series XIII: Organ Music

• Series XIV: Violin and Piano Music

• Series XV: Violocelllo and Piano Music

• Series XVI: Organ and Piano Music

• Series XVII: String Quartet

• Series XVIII: String Quintet

• Series XIX: Woodwinds

• Series XX: Orchestra

• Series XXI: Brass and Percussion

• Series XXII: Sketchbooks and Fragments

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Readers must use microfilm.

No material may be photocopied without the written permission of Desmond Margetson or Barbara Margetson Watson.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Edward H. Margetson Music Manuscripts; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Alternate Form Available

The entire collection has been: microfilmed.

Ownership and Custodial History

Gift of Desmond W. Margetson via the Music Library, 1990.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Music Library. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--03/23/90. Accession number--M-90-03-23.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Processed 05/11/90.

Revision Description

4/5/2020 PDF converted to EAD by PTL

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Black composer and conductor; church organist; choral music specialist; choirmaster. Born in St. Kitts, British West Indies, Margetson came to the Unites States in 1919 and soon became organist and choirmaster of the church of the Crucifixion in Harlem where Dr. Egerton E. Hall was rector. In 1927 he founded the Schubert Music Society "to quietly work through it among his people.".