Columbia University Orchestra records, 1949-1987
Summary Information
Abstract
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- UA#0190
- Bib ID:
- 9538715 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Columbia University Orchestra
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 14.5 linear feet (11 record cartons and 2 manuscript boxes)
- Language(s):
- English .
- 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 off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
The RBML cannot provide access to original time-based media material which has not been first been reformatted for preservation. Researchers are welcome to examine archival time-based media items and decide whether they wish to place an order for Audio/Video reformatting. If copyright and/or condition restrictions apply, it may not be possible to digitize a requested item. Please note that A/V reformatting is handled by an outside vendor and typically takes 6-8 weeks.
Description
Summary
This collection comprises both paper and audio materials. The paper components of the records contain publicity material (programs, flyers, press clippings, press releases), planning documents (schedules, repertoire lists), and correspondence relating to Howard Shanet's direction of the Columbia University Orchestra. Shanet corresponded with a range of stakeholders, including his assistant conductors, composers, advertising agents, concert venues, and musical collaborators. This material is housed in Series I.
This collection also includes 323 reel-to-reel tapes of performances by the Columbia University Orchestra and Composers String Quartet. These recordings span a wide range of repertoire, including a number of world premieres of works by contemporary composers. The recordings also capture a number of activities relating to the orchestra, including lectures about the repertoire from Columbia University professors. Conductors featured include Howard Shanet, Guy Garnett, and Howard Goldstein. This material is housed in Series II.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in two series. Series I was created by orchestra conductor Howard Shanet, who organized these materials according to activity. The arrangement of this series reflects Shanet's original ordering and foldering. Series II is arranged in chronological order and is grouped into four subseries by decade.
- Series I: Howard Shanet's Columbia University Orchestra records, 1953-1985, bulk 1981-1985
- Series II: Reel to Reel Tapes of Performances by the Columbia University Orchestra and Composers String Quartet, 1949-1987
Using the Collection
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 off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
The RBML cannot provide access to original time-based media material which has not been first been reformatted for preservation. Researchers are welcome to examine archival time-based media items and decide whether they wish to place an order for Audio/Video reformatting. If copyright and/or condition restrictions apply, it may not be possible to digitize a requested item. Please note that A/V reformatting is handled by an outside vendor and typically takes 6-8 weeks.
Restrictions on Use
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Columbia University Orchestra Records; Box and Folder (if known); University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Related Materials
Virgil Thomson papers, 1920-1981 In preparation for the birthday concert in 1983, conductor Howard Shanet corresponded extensively with Virgil Thomson.
Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center records, 1958-2014 and Vladimir Ussachevsky papers, 1932-1969 : During Shanet's directorship, the Columbia University Orchestra gave the premieres of works by composers affiliated with the university, including works for orchestra and tape by Otto Luening and Vladimir Ussachevsky, whose collaborations are documented in these two collections at the RBML.
Department of Music Records (UA#0324): Records relating to Howard Shanet's tenure as chair of the Department of Music (which were accessioned alongside the material in this collection) can be found in Series I.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Series I was donated to the Rare Book and Manuscript Library in February 2010 by Bernice Grafstein, Howard Shanet's wife, as part of the Howard Shanet Papers (MS#1876). Materials in Series II were transferred from the Music Library, 2012 May 7 (accession number 2011-2012-M113).
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Series I was processed by Callum Blackmore (GSAS) in July 2023. Series II was processed by PTL on 30 July 2012. Finding aid written by PTL in July 2012 and Callum Blackmore in July 2023.
The processing of this collection was made possible by a Graduate Internship in Primary Sources from Columbia Libraries.
Material from Series I was originally accessioned as the Howard Shanet Papers (MS#1876). Prior to the addition of Series I, this collection was called the Columbia University Orchestra/Composers String Quartet Tapes. Upon surveying, the collection was determined to contain records of the Columbia University Department of Music and Columbia University Orchestra, respectively, which had been created and used by Shanet. This material was removed from this collection (which was originally housed and foldered in three banker's boxes) and rehoused and refoldered into document boxes and acid-free folders.
In Series I, all paper clips and rubber bands have been removed from the material; however material that was originally clipped or banded together has been housed together. Some material has been unfolded and removed from envelopes: these envelopes have been discarded unless they contained salient historical information (annotations, etc.).
Approximately 40-50% of the material originally housed in Series I has been destroyed. As per University Records policies, documents containing information with privacy and confidentiality concerns were shredded in their entirety. These include documents covered by HIPAA and FERPA (medical records, student records), HR documents, and financial records.
Separated Materials
Documents containing information with privacy and confidentiality concerns were removed and shredded according to University Records policies.
Revision Description
2012-07-17 File created.
2012-08-01 Finding aid published by PTL
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
2023-07-19 Series I container list and front matter updates uploaded by CLB
Historical Note
Founder Edward MacDowell's influence was far reaching, both at Columbia University and beyond. His vision for the arts at Columbia would finally be recognized, with mandatory arts requirements and a wide range of performance ensembles. Perhaps the most noteworthy is the Columbia University Orchestra. Originally founded in 1896 as the Columbia University Philharmonic Society, MacDowell started the 25-member group. It was not until April 21, 1899, however, that the orchestra would debut under the direction of Gustav Hinnichs, in the Mendelssohn Theatre (now demolished in midtown Manhattan). The group would go on to participate in a "Grand Concert" at the Barnard Theatre in the 1900-01 season with other student ensembles. There were 4 concerts in 1902, and 6 in 1903, including one at the Installation of Nicholas Murray Butler as President of Columbia University. The CUO's first out-of-town performance occurred at Odd Fellows Hall in Hoboken, New Jersey that year. The number of performances remained at a consistent number for the next few years.
There seem to have been a few bumps in the Orchestra's history between 1909 and 1913. An article in the Columbia Spectator on November 25, 1909 discussed the rivalry between the Philharmonic Society and Frank E. Ward, the Chapel Organist. Apparently disgusted with the procedures of the Philharmonic Society, Ward had called for the formation of a new, additional orchestra. This would not have been serious except for the fact that the Philharmonic Society was on the brink of losing many of its members to the radical ensemble. In the end, however, all ended in peace and Ward returned to his organ. It also seems that there were no performances between 1911 and 1913. This was most likely due to disinterest or lack of student leadership. Of the few records found in the Columbia Archives, it is hard to discern what happened exactly. We do know, however, that the CUO returned in full force in 1913 under the direction of H.H. Fuchs. In 1916, the name was changed to the Columbia University Orchestra, only to be changed to the Students' Orchestra in 1917. (Today, it is back to the Columbia University Orchestra.) Also in 1917, women were allowed to join the ensemble. It is unclear just how many women joined at that time, but we do know that in 1934-35, there were just 5 women members out of a total of 51.
From 1953 to 1989, the orchestra was conducted by Howard Shanet, a 1939 Columbia College alumnus who also earned a masters degree from the university in 1941 and later returned to serve as a professor in the Music Department. This collection derives from his tenure as the orchestra's conductor and music director. Under Shanet's direction, the Columbia University Orchestra garnered a reputation for performing music by contemporary composers, along with underperformed works from the historical repertory. During this period, the orchestra performed in a number of venues across New York and the tri-state area, collaborating with a number of other musical organizations both inside and outside of Columbia (including an exchange with the Princeton University Orchestra in 1985). In 1983, the orchestra gave a concert for the 87th birthday of the composer Virgil Thomson at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (in which the composer himself performed), along with a series of retrospectives celebrating American composers at the New York Historical Society.
The CUO has traditionally brought new compositions and composers out to the public. Composers who have had their works debuted by the CUO inlcude Bulent Ariel, Maurice Wright, Jack Beeson, Otto Luening, Charles Wuorinen, and Henry Brandt. One of the more interesting pieces performed by the orchestra was "Rhapsodic Variations for Tape Recorder and Orchestra" by Otto Luening and Vladimir Ussachevsky, Professors of Music at Columbia in the 1950's. More recently, the CUO has toured cities and colleges throughout the United States. Under the current direction of Jeffrey Milarsky, the CUO has continued to be one of the most prominent university orchestras in the country.
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
All links open new windows.