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Henry Tovey Music Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MC 1652

Scope and Content Note

The collection includes both personal materials and record collections. The personal materials consist of a photograph of Tovey, two of his personal notebooks containing an inventory of his collection, and miscellaneous magazine clippings; these are located in Box 1. The records include 10" and 12" 78 rpm phonograph records, organized alphabetically by composer. Most of these were a part of Tovey's personal record collection, and include a selection of classical pieces performed by some of the most famous singers, pianists, and orchestras of the early 20th century; some of these records were privately pressed by the artist for Tovey. Also included are records of Asian and Middle Eastern music, as well as folk songs from the period.

Dates

  • circa 1920-1945

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

Henry Doughty Tovey, the founder of the University of Arkansas Music Department, was born on January 26, 1884, in New Boston, Illinois. After graduating from the Knox College Conservatory of Music in Galesburg, Illinois in 1904, he was hired as a professor of music at Ouachita College (now Ouachita Baptist University). In 1908, he came to the University of Arkansas, where he developed and served as chair of the music department until his death in 1933. In 1909, Tovey composed the University of Arkansas Alma Mater (a private recording of Tovey playing the Alma Mater on the organ in the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago is currently housed in the Arkansas Alumni Center). While at the university, he directed the Glee Club, and he developed The Musical Coffee Hour, a program held in the Arkansas Union in which participants listened to and discussed Tovey's recordings of selected music.

A renowned musicologist and a talented pianist, Tovey served as an accompanist to the opera singers Mary Gardner and Ernestine Roessler Schumann-Heink. He worked to standardize the music education programs of Arkansas high schools, sending them selected sets of records, articles, and photos of performers. He founded the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association, was vice-president of the National Association of Presidents of State Music Teachers Associations, and served as a member of the National Board of Music.

Extent

18.5 Linear Feet (36 boxes)

Arrangement of the Papers

Materials are arranged by format. Phonograph records are divided into two series by size.

Acquisition Information

The Henry Tovey Music Collection was donated to Special Collections on June 2, 2005, by James E. Stice of Austin, Texas. The materials were primarily collected by Henry Tovey; Tovey's collection was later given to the family of James E. Stice, whose records of pop and show tunes complete the collection.

Processing Information

Processed by Lori Neumeier and Sterlyn Gately; completed in February 2009.

Creator

Source

Title
Henry Tovey Music Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Lori Neumeier and Sterlyn Gately
Date
February 2009
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444