Contents

Collection Summary

Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

Organization of the Merle Montgomery Papers

Selected Search Terms

Correspondence, circa 1929-1981

Biographical Materials, 1931-1981

Business Papers, 1942-1983

Photographs, circa 1904-circa 1980

Promotional Materials, circa 1960-circa 1980

Programs, 1931, circa 1960-circa 1980

Clippings, circa 1960-circa 1980

Publications, 1956-1981

Miscellany, circa 1956-1981

Merle Montgomery Papers

Processed by the Music Division of the Library of Congress

2011

Biographical Note

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Scope and Content Note

The papers of Merle Montgomery (1904-1986) span the years 1904-1983, with the bulk of the material dating from 1960 to 1980. The papers highlight Montgomery's career and leadership roles in several organizations, programs, and projects in support of music, education and the arts. The collection chronicles her presidencies with the National Federation of Music Clubs from 1971-1975 and the National Music Council from 1975-1979, her career with music publishing firm Carl Fischer Inc., from the mid-1940s to 1971, her management of the Bicentennial Parade of American Music, her scholarly work on the Scribner Music Library, from around 1961 to 1972, and more. There is a small amount of personal material, including correspondence with family and friends, photographs, and biographical documents and clippings. The papers are organized into the following series: Correspondence, Biographical Materials, Business Papers, Photographs, Promotional Materials, Programs, Clippings, Publications, and Miscellany.

The Correspondence series, circa 1929-1981, contains professional and personal letters to and from Merle Montgomery relating to her business activities and personal life. The series is divided into two subseries: Professional and Personal. The Professional subseries, 1933-1981, spans her entire career and relates to her activities in music education and publishing, the various music, arts, and cultural organizations, projects, and programs which she led, the mentoring of students and young musicians, and other professional activities. This subseries contains items from the composers Nadia Boulanger, Aaron Copland, Morton Gould, John La Montaine, William Schuman, Louise Talma, and Virgil Thomson. The Personal subseries, circa 1929-1981, includes letters from Montgomery's second husband, A. Walter Kramer, dating from before their marriage up until shortly before his death. There is also correspondence to and from Montgomery's mother, including letters from Merle regarding her studies in Europe in the 1930s. In addition, there are letters from Montgomery's son, her siblings, and numerous friends and extended family.

The Biographical Materials series, 1931-1981, contains a variety of materials by and about Merle Montgomery. There are biographical sketches and press releases from a variety of sources which detail her work history and professional accomplishments. In addition, this series contains biographical sketches of her second husband, A. Walter Kramer. The series also contains clippings about Montgomery and her family, some personal business papers, and several awards and citations that she received. The writings by Montgomery include drafts of speeches and published articles.

The Business Papers series, 1942-1983, is the largest series in the collection. It contains papers relating to Merle Montgomery's career and leadership roles in many local and national organizations, projects, and programs. The series is divided into eleven subseries: Carl Fischer Inc., Ford Foundation Recording-Publication Project, Let's Go to Musicland!, Mu Phi Epsilon, Musicians Club of New York, National Federation of Music Clubs, National Music Council, New York City Opera Guild, New York Philomusica Chamber Ensemble, Scribner Music Library, and University of Rochester.

The Carl Fischer Inc. subseries, 1947-1978, covers both of Montgomery's stints with the music publishing firm and includes correspondence with composers and others concerning various Fischer projects, internal reports and memoranda, publicity and promotional materials, and newsletters. The Ford Foundation Recording-Publication Project, 1966-1972, was a Carl Fischer project which Montgomery continued to manage even after she left Fischer to become president of the National Federation of Music Clubs. This subseries contains correspondence, including a detailed letter to the Ford Foundation discussing the cancellation of the project, applications, and other miscellaneous project papers.

The Let's Go to Musicland! subseries, 1953-1966, relates to a series of thirteen 15-minute films that Montgomery, wrote, produced and hosted for the University of Oklahoma Educational Service Division. The series introduced children to the fundamentals of music and was based on material from her Music Theory Papers. Materials include correspondence detailing the origins and progress of the project, promotional materials, and a partial script.

The Mu Phi Epsilon subseries, circa 1952-1983, contains materials relating to Montgomery's long association with the organization. In addition to national vice-president in charge of public relations and governor of the Atlantic Province, Montgomery was chairman of the board for the Memorial Foundation, editor of Who's Who in MɸE, and president of the New York Alumni chapter. The subseries includes Memorial Foundation documents, promotional items, directories and yearbooks, and reports.

Montgomery was an active member of the Musicians Club of New York, serving as vice president and chairman of the performance committee. The Musicians Club of New York subseries, 1949-1981, contains general materials about the organization as well as correspondence and items which detail Montgomery's activities, such as promoting music in hospitals and old-age homes and supporting young musicians through the Young Artists Awards.

The National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) series, 1954-1981, is the largest subseries in the Business Papers series. Montgomery had a thirty-year association with the organization, beginning around 1953 when she was named local chairman of the national convention, up until 1982 when she was NFMC representative to the United Nations. Over the years, she held numerous positions, with the Oklahoma and New York state clubs as well as the national organization. She was president of both the New York Federation of Music Clubs (1958-1960) and the National Federation of Music Clubs (1971-1975). The subseries spans Montgomery's association with the NFMC and includes such documents as correspondence; convention materials; financial documents; meeting agendas, reports and minutes; and publicity and promotional materials. In addition, there are materials documenting particular initiatives, including junior festivals, scholarships, the International Year of the Child, the Parade of American Music, American women composers, Opera for Youth, and the Wolf Trap American University Program for the Performing Arts. This subseries also includes a significant amount of New York Federation of Music Clubs materials.

The National Music Council subseries, 1966-1981, also contains materials relating to the International Music Council. Montgomery was president of the National Music Council from 1975 to 1979 and board chairman and delegate to four International Music Council conventions. Included in this subseries are materials chronicling the Bicentennial Parade of American Music, for which Montgomery was the project manager. This nation-wide project featured concerts at the Kennedy Center showcasing composers from all fifty states, a thirteen-week series of radio programs broadcasting the works of states' composers, and plaques placed at various historical sites relating to American music. In addition, this subseries includes materials about a proposed international festival of music that was being planned by Montgomery and Iain Turpie from 1974 to 1980. There are also internal documents, correspondence, promotional materials, and clippings.

The New York City Opera Guild subseries, 1966-1983, features correspondence, publicity materials, newsletters, and other internal documents such as membership lists and committee meeting minutes. Montgomery was a charter member and vice-president of the New York City Opera Guild.

The New York Philomusica Chamber Ensemble subseries, 1970-1982, relates to the federated chamber ensemble directed by A. Robert Johnson. Montgomery was a member of the founding board of directors in 1971. Materials include internal business papers, promotional and publicity materials, correspondence, and reviews of their concerts.

The Scribner Music Library subseries, circa 1961-1972, contains materials relating to the two volumes that Montgomery edited for the Scribner Music Library series. She compiled and edited Volume One for Beginners and Volume Four, A Century of Piano Music. Volume one contained 207 compositions--of which 186 were original and unpublished at the time--by forty American composers. Volume four featured piano music from the second half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century and included sixty-two compositions by forty-seven composers. The subseries contains planning documents, correspondence, drafts and proofs of the copy, reviews, and some publicity materials.

The University of Rochester subseries, 1942-1981, primarily documents Montgomery's alumni activities and membership in the Trustee's Council of Alumni Advisors. It includes alumni papers, internal council documents, correspondence, and materials relating to the Eastman School of Music.

The Photographs series, circa 1904-circa 1980, contains color and black and white photographs, both candid and posed, of Merle Montgomery alone and with colleagues and family. Most of the photographs were taken during Montgomery's later years and show her at various parties and professional functions. There are also a few family pictures and some publicity shots of Montgomery. In addition, this series includes several publicity shots of musicians and performers.

The Promotional Materials series, circa 1960-circa 1980, contains promotional and publicity material, such as brochures, pamphlets, and informational literature, on various music, educational, arts, and cultural organizations and programs. These materials span Montgomery's career and reflect her interests and her many professional and personal activities. This series also contains publicity and promotional materials on musicians, performers, composers and conductors, many of whom Montgomery promoted through her professional organizations. These materials may also include photographs and correspondence.

The Programs series, 1931, circa 1960-circa 1980, contains programs for various music and cultural performances and events. Many of these programs describe events that were produced or sponsored by organizations in which Montgomery was involved.

The Clippings series, circa 1960-circa 1980, contains newspaper and magazine clippings about topics, organizations, programs, and people related to Merle Montgomery's professional life and interests. Many clippings are taken from official publications belonging to organizations in which Montgomery was actively involved.

The Publications series, 1956-1981, contains a small amount of music, educational, cultural, and arts publications that relate to Montgomery's professional interests.

The Miscellany series, circa 1956-1981, contains various items, including speeches (by others), complete and partial narratives (unidentified) (draft and final), articles, brochures, catalogs, librettos, and materials on education.

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Selected Search Terms

People

• Hanson, Howard, 1896-1981, ed. Scribner music library.
• Kramer, A. Walter (Arthur Walter), 1890-1969--Correspondence.
• Kramer, A. Walter (Arthur Walter), 1890-1969.
• Montgomery, Merle, 1904-1986--Archives.
• Montgomery, Merle, 1904-1986--Correspondence.
• Montgomery, Merle, 1904-1986--Photographs.
• Montgomery, Merle, 1904-1986.
• Montgomery, Merle, 1904-1986.

Organizations

• Carl Fischer Inc.
• Eastman School of Music.
• International Music Council.
• Mu Phi Epsilon.
• Musicians Club of New York.
• National Federation of Music Clubs.
• National Federation of Music Clubs. Junior Division.
• National Music Council (U.S.)
• New York City Opera. Guild.
• New York Federation of Music Clubs.
• New York Philomusica Chamber Ensemble.
• University of Rochester--Alumni and alumnae.
• University of Rochester.

Subjects

• Arts administrators--United States.
• Music in education.
• Music patronage--United States.
• Music publishers--United States.
• Music publishing--United States.
• Music--Instruction and study--United States.
• Music--International cooperation.
• Music--Societies, etc.--United States.
• Music--United States--20th century.
• Musicians--Photographs.
• Women composers--United States.
• Women music teachers--United States.

Form/Genre

• Clippings (Information artifacts)
• Correspondence.
• Financial records.
• Newsletters.
• Photographic prints.
• Programs (Documents)
• Promotional materials.

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Organization of the Merle Montgomery Papers

The Merle Montgomery Papers are organized in nine series:

• Correspondence, circa 1929-1981
• Biographical Materials, 1931-1981
• Business Papers, 1942-1983
• Photographs, circa 1904-circa 1980
• Promotional Materials, circa 1960-circa 1980
• Programs, 1931, circa 1960-circa 1980
• Clippings, circa 1960-circa 1980
• Publications, 1956-1981
• Miscellany, circa 1956-1981

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Container List

Correspondence, circa 1929-1981

Correspondence to and from colleagues, associates, friends, family members, businesses, and organizations relating to professional and personal activities. Includes telegrams, postcards, greeting cards, invitations, and announcements. Some correspondence has accompanying material.

Professional, 1933-1981

Arranged alphabetically by name of person or organization.

A-B

C-D

E-G

H-K

L-R

S-T

U-Z

Personal, circa 1929-1981

Letters from Merle Montgomery, 1929-1971

Letters from Merle Montgomery, undated (2 folders)

Letters from A. Walter Kramer, 1951-1971

Letters from A. Walter Kramer, undated

Family, 1929-1931, undated

Family, 1957-1972, undated

Family, undated

Unidentified family and friends, 1929-1932

Unidentified family and friends, 1948, undated

Unidentified family and friends, undated

Unidentified family and friends, 1935-1981, undated

Miscellaneous family, 1957-1972, undated

Biographical Materials, 1931-1981

Clippings, biographical sketches, resumés, press releases, correspondence, personal business papers, awards, citations, writings, items about spouse A. Walter Kramer and other family members, programs, and Montgomery's passport.

Biographies, 1941-1971, undated

Clippings, 1948-1980, undated (2 folders)

Correspondence, 1942-1975

A. Walter Kramer materials

Awards and citations, 1943-1981, undated

Business papers, 1965-1980

Family materials, 1931-1980

Writings

Miscellany (2 folders)

Business Papers, 1942-1983

Correspondence, agendas, reports, meeting minutes, memos, convention programs, financial documents, brochures, publicity and promotional materials, by-laws, membership lists, newsletters, articles, and clippings.

Arranged alphabetically by organization or program.

Carl Fischer Inc., 1947-1978

Newsletters, publicity materials, news releases, announcements, programs, invitations, brochures, catalogs, memoranda, clippings, correspondence, rental and pricing lists, financial papers, company histories, reports, drafts, and miscellaneous project documents.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials and chronologically therein.

Brochures and catalogs

Clippings

Correspondence, 1957-1971

Correspondence, 1971-1978, undated

Financial papers, 1968-1971

Memoranda, 1966-1971, undated

News releases, 1957-1971, undated

Newsletters, 1970-1972

Rental lists

Reports, 1967-1970

Schillinger material, 1947-1964

Miscellany

Ford Foundation Recording-Publication Project, 1966-1972

Correspondence, lists of composers and musical pieces, price lists, narratives about composers and musical pieces, application forms, miscellaneous project papers.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials.

Application forms

Correspondence

Narratives

Miscellany

Let's Go to Musicland! 1953-1966

Scripts, outlines, continuities, drafts of scripts, promotional materials, correspondence, clippings, planning documents, negatives.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials.

Correspondence, 1953-1966

Planning documents

Promotional materials

Release forms

Scripts

Miscellany

Mu Phi Epsilon, circa 1952-1983

Correspondence, reports, directories, procedural rules, brochures, newsletters, member lists, promotional materials, clippings, programs, leaflets.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials and chronologically therein.

Clippings

Correspondence, 1963-1981

Directories, brochures, yearbooks, 1952-1983

Memorial Foundation document, 1978

New York World's Fair documents, 1964-1965

Newsletters, 1960, 1972, 1980

Programs, 1953-1981, undated

Reports, 1953-1982

Resumé material, 1974-1977

Miscellaneous papers (2 folders)

Musicians Club of New York, 1949-1981

Correspondence, reports, by-laws, meeting minutes, brochures, newsletters, member lists, promotional and publicity materials, programs, certificate of incorporation.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials and chronologically therein.

Correspondence, 1968-1977

Promotional materials, 1964-1981

Miscellaneous documents, 1949-1978

National Federation of Music Clubs, 1954-1981

Correspondence, by-laws, convention materials, financial documents, memoranda, applications, meeting agendas, reports, minutes, publicity and promotional materials, reviews, newsletters, programs, articles, clippings.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials or name of initiative and chronologically therein.

American Women Composers, 1971-1980, undated (5 folders)

Clippings, 1954-circa 1980 (5 folders)

Convention materials, 1963-1981

Correspondence, 1961-1981 (4 folders)

Financial materials, 1942-1979, undated (2 folders)

International Year of the Child, 1979

Junior activities, 1960-1981 (10 folders)

New York Federation of Music Clubs, 1954-1981 (14 folders)

Opera for Youth, 1977-1979 (5 folders)

Parade of American Music materials, 1960-1974 (2 folders)

Plan of work, 1967-1969

Publications, brochures

Publicity materials

Reports, 1962-1982, undated (2 folders)

Wolf Trap American University Program for the Performing Arts, 1971-1974 (3 folders)

Miscellaneous papers, 1960-1981, undated (5 folders)

National Music Council, 1966-1981

Correspondence, reports, meeting minutes and agendas, brochures, newsletters, member lists, promotional and publicity materials, programs, clippings.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials or name of initiative and chronologically therein.

Bicentennial Parade of American Music, 1973-1977 (3 folders)

Clippings

Correspondence, 1966-1981

International arts festivals, correspondence, 1974-1980 (2 folders)

International arts festivals, planning documents, 1978-1980

Meeting minutes and agendas, 1966-1977

Programs and brochures, 1974-1979

Promotional materials, 1975-1982 (2 folders)

Reports, 1980-1981

Miscellaneous documents

New York City Opera Guild, 1966-1983

Correspondence, by-laws, meeting minutes, newsletters, membership lists, promotional and publicity materials, handbook, financial documents, clippings.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials and chronologically therein.

Clippings

Publications, 1967-1981

Miscellaneous documents, 1966-1983 (2 folders)

New York Philomusica Chamber Ensemble, 1970-1982

Correspondence, brochures, promotional and publicity materials, program outlines, drafts of various materials, programs, miscellaneous business papers, clippings.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials and chronologically therein.

Brochures and programs

Business papers, 1972-1980

Clippings

Correspondence, 1970-1982

Promotional materials, 1971-1977

Miscellaneous papers,

Scribner Music Library, circa 1961-1972

Correspondence, proofs, drafts, lists of composers and compositions, memos, copies of agreements, reviews, promotional and publicity materials.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials and chronologically therein.

Correspondence, 1961-1972 (6 folders)

Proofs and drafts (4 folders)

Publicity materials, 1964-1965

Miscellaneous documents, circa 1960-circa 1969 (2 folders)

University of Rochester, 1942-1981

Correspondence, reports, by-laws, meeting minutes and agendas, memos, brochures, newsletters, member lists, promotional and publicity materials, programs, investment reports.

Arranged alphabetically by type of materials or name of initiative and chronologically therein.

Alumni papers, 1953-1972

Correspondence, 1954-1976

Eastman School of Music 50th Anniversary Festival materials, 1971-1972

Eastman School of Music miscellaneous materials, 1942-1981

Presser International Symposium on Support for the Arts materials, 1972

Trustees' Council papers, 1963-1974

Trustees' Council papers, 1974-1979

University of Rochester miscellaneous materials, 1964-1977

Miscellaneous documents, 1953-1978

Photographs, circa 1904-circa 1980

Color and black and white photographic prints of Merle Montgomery, her family, colleagues, and friends.

Photographs

Promotional Materials, circa 1960-circa 1980

Brochures, pamphlets, publicity material, and informational literature on various music, educational, arts, and cultural organizations and programs. This series also contains publicity and promotional materials on musicians, performers, composers, and conductors which may include photographs and correspondence.

Arranged in two groups: alphabetically by name of organization or program, and alphabetically by name of person.

Organizations, AD-AM

Organizations, AM-CHA

Organizations, CHO-LE

Organizations, LI-MUS

Organizations, MUS-OP

Organizations, PE-WO

People, A-HAN

People, HAP-O

People, P-TH

People, TR-Z, miscellaneous

Programs, 1931, circa 1960-circa 1980

Programs for various music and cultural performances and events. These may include events produced by organizations in which Montgomery was involved.

Programs (4 folders)

Clippings, circa 1960-circa 1980

Newspaper and magazine clippings about topics, organizations, programs, and people of interest to Merle Montgomery.

Clippings (4 folders)

Publications, 1956-1981

Miscellaneous music, educational, cultural, and arts publications.

Publications

Miscellany, circa 1956-1981

Miscellaneous papers, including speeches (by others), complete and partial narratives (draft and final), articles, brochures, catalogs, librettos, and materials on education.

Miscellany (7 folders)