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Band Collections in Special Collections in Performing Arts

A guide to the American Band collections and resources found in SCPA

About the American Bandmasters Association

ABA Logo

 

Formed in 1929 "for the purpose of furthering the interests of outstanding American Band Masters, and of interesting composers, arrangers, and music publishers in Wind Band music," the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) continues to champion the causes of American bands and bandmasters today. Its members' accomplishments include the election of John Philip Sousa to the Hall of Fame of Great Americans, the publication of the Journal of Band Research, and the establishment of several awards and prizes, including the Ostwald Band Composition Contest and the Edwin Franko Goldman Memorial Citation.

The current membership (invitational) comprises approximately 300 band conductors and composers in the USA and Canada, and 70 Associate Members (music businesses and corporations that provide significant services to bands and to the publication of band music.)

Select Images from ABA Personal Papers Collections

[Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows postcard], 1946. Merle Evans papers

[Press Photos for Howard Song and Instruction Books], undated. Colonel George S. Howard papers

[Women Band Directors International] "At Mid-West," 1969. Lynn L Sams papers

This was the first full meeting of the Woman Band Directors International. Gladys Wright, one of the founding members of the organization whose personal papers are part of the ABA Research Center, is third from the left in the bottom row.

"Our Dance Orchestra," undated. Cleon E. Dalby papers

Cleon E. Dalby is in the back row, third from the right, holding a cornet. 

"Goldman and Sousa Shaking Hands," undated. Edwin Franko Goldwin papers

"Gathering of Musicians" [in the Union Army], undated. Arthur Wise papers

Image Credit: Library of Congress

About the American Bandmasters Association Research Center

The American Bandmasters Association Research Center was brought to the University of Maryland at College Park on June 3, 1963, as the result of an agreement between the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) and the University of Maryland to jointly sponsor an agency that would provide a repository and clearing house for materials and information concerning the history and development of the wind band.

Now managed by Special Collections in Performing Arts, The ABA Research Center holds the papers and collections of several ABA members, as well as the archives of the ABA itself. In addition, the ABA Research Center has a large number of band scores, photographs, and recordings.

Personal Papers of ABA Members

Here is a list of the ABA members whose personal papers are found in Special Collections in Performing Arts.

Click on the Links below to view their Finding Aids.