George Russell Howerton (1905-1999)
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No requestable containers
Scope and Contents
The George Howerton Papers, filling nine boxes, illuminate Howerton's life, career and interests. While the entirety of the collection ranges from 1923 to 1999, the bulk of the content lies between 1935 and 1971. The Papers fall into six general categories: 1) biographical information, 2) teaching materials, 3) programs and concert information, 4) information on clinics and festivals and programs from these occasions, 5) presentation and lectures, and 6) publications.
The biographical files include materials related specifically to George Howerton and also genealogical information about the Howerton family. In addition to the materials in the awards and certificates folder, a dropfront box (Box 9) holds oversized awards, plaques, and other materials. Clippings pertain to events such as Howerton's acceptance of a Steinway award in 1967 and articles reporting his activities with noted friends. Press releases relate to Howerton's career at Northwestern. The genealogical information, much of which was compiled by other family members, documents the Howertons back to around 1700. One folder specifically relates to the life and career of David H. Howerton, including teaching certificates and recommendation letters. The folder titled "Garden," which contains seed packets, magazine articles on gardening, and other materials, all meticulously organized in scrapbook fashion, demonstrates Howerton's love of nature. A slim general correspondence file contains a few letters from various employers and several friends. A card catalogue that Howerton compiled for his private musical library is also included in this category.
The teaching materials vary in their content as well. The folders contain some quizzes and tests, many pages of lecture and discussion notes, and copious amounts of hastily scrawled curriculum ideas and plans. There is also a comparison and analysis of J.S. Bach's Mass in b minor with the Missa Solemnis by Beethoven that Howerton prepared for an unidentified class. It should be noted that the lecture series, "Interrelation of the Arts," was not a formal class but an optional lecture given in the evenings in 1948, open to both the student body and the public.
The extensive program and concert information is organized by the performing groups if possible, in addition to date; otherwise they are organized only by date (as in the General Program folders). The few programs that did not bear George Howerton's name as conductor or participant were either sent to him by his students regarding their own musical achievements, or contained music that Howerton arranged and prepared for performances.
The clinics and festivals section is a subset of the programs and concert information section. Howerton was able, in many of the communities in which he worked, to give workshops for young people in performing groups and high schools. Some record of these workshops exists here in the form of programs and newspaper clippings. Also contained in this section are more programs, clippings, and records of his involvement with major music festivals such as the Ravinia Summer Music Festival, or the Salida-Aspen Concert Series.
Lectures consist of the final versions of presentations that Howerton made at banquets, conferences, or festivals and are unrelated to his course lectures.
Publications consist of reprints or clippings of magazine and newspaper articles that Howerton wrote, as well as information relating to the three books that he authored or on which he collaborated (see biography).
Finally, one folder contains sheet music that Howerton used in his choral programs. The music is predominantly for Christmas and other religious holidays.
Dates
- 1923 - 1999
- Other: Majority of material found within 1935 - 1971
Creator
- Howerton, George (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is stored off-site and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is stored at a remote campus location and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.
Extent
9.00 Boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The papers of George Howerton (professor and Dean of Music at Northwestern University), filling nine boxes, illuminate Howerton's life, career and interests. While the entirety of the collection ranges from 1923 to 1999, the bulk of the content lies between 1935 and 1971. The Papers fall into six general categories: 1) biographical information, 2) teaching materials, 3) programs and concert information, 4) information on clinics and festivals and programs from these occasions, 5) presentation and lectures, and 6) publications.
Arrangement
The Papers fall into six general categories: 1) biographical information, 2) teaching materials (in chronological order), 3) programs and concert information, 4) information on clinics and festivals and programs from these occasions (chronological order), 5) presentation and lectures (chronological order), and 6) publications.
Method of Acquisition
Bernard Dobroski, Dean of the Northwestern University School of Music, transferred the George Howerton Papers to the Northwestern University Archives on the 23rd of June, 2003 (Accession #03-108).
Separated Materials
Two cubic feet of material were discarded from Dr. Howerton's papers. Seventy-eight long-playing audiodiscs and two reels of magnetic audiotape were transferred to the University Archives Audio-Visual Collection; two photographs were relocated to the Archives Photographic Collection; three bound volumes of Northwestern University Chapel Service Programs dating from 1947 to 1950 were added to the Archives Serials Collection.
Seventy-eight long-playing audiodiscs and two reels of magnetic audiotape were transferred to the University Archives Audio-Visual Collection. Following is a list of these materials:
Composer Title Date Recorded Ensemble
190 Bach Christ Lag in Todesbanden Part 1/
Bach Christ Lag in Todesbanden Part 3
191 Bach Christ Lag in Todesbanden Part 2/
Bach Christ Lag in Todesbanden Part 4
192 Bach Christ Lag in Todesbanden Part 5/
Bach Christ Lag in Todesbanden Part 7
193 Bach Christ Lag in Todesbanden Part 6/
Bach Christ Lag in Todesbanden Part 8
194 Bach Christ Lag in Todesbanden (Final Chorale)/
Bach Schmücke Dich Part 1, 1st Chorus (Beginning)
195 Bach Cantata no. 80, Sop. Aria: “Come Dwell Within My Heart”/
Bach Cantata no. 80, Baritone Recitative: “O Child of God”
196 Bach Cantata no. 65, 1st Chorus Part 1/
Bach Cantata no. 65, 1st Chorus Conclusion
197 Bach Cantata no. 65, Chorale: “Three Kings Came From Sheba”, Bass Recitative/
Bach Cantata no. 65, Bass Aria: “Gold of Ophir Do Not Bring”
198 Bach Cantata no. 65, Tenor Aria: “Take Me, Jesus” Part 1/
Bach Cantata no. 65, Tenor Aria Conclusion
199 Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 1/
Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 3
200 Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 2/
Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 4
201 Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 5/
Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 7
202 Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 6/
Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 8
203 Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 9/
Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 11
204 Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 10/
Bach Cantata no. 21 Part 12
205 Bach Du Hirte Israel, Chorus: “Thou Shepherd Bountiful” Part 1/
Bach Du Hirte Israel, Chorus: “Thou Shepherd Bountiful” Part 2
206 Bach Du Hirte Israel, Bass Aria Part 1/
Bach Du Hirte Israel, Bass Aria Conclusion
207 Bach Schmücke Dich, Tenor Aria Conclusion/
Bach Schmücke Dich, Soprano Aria: “How Precious Are the Guests” Beginning
208 Bach Schmücke Dich, Sop. Aria: “How Precious Are the Guests” Part 2, Alto Recitative/
Bach Schmücke Dich, Bass Recitative
209 Bach Schmücke Dich, Tenor Aria Beginning/
Bach Schmücke Dich, 1st Chorus Conclusion
210 Bach Schmücke Dich, Soprano Aria: “Son of Life”/
Bach Schmücke Dich
211 Bach Ein Feste Burg, A Stronghold Sure Part 1/
Bach Ein Feste Burg, A Stronghold Sure Part 2
212 Bach Ein Feste Burg, Sopr/Bar Duet: “Standing Alone” Part 1/
Bach Ein Feste Burg, Sopr/Bar Duet: “Standing Alone” Part 2
213 Bach Ein Feste Burg, Unison Chorale: “Though Fiends Appear” Part 1/
Bach Cantata no. 80, Unison Chorale: “Though Fiends Appear” Part 2
214 Bach Ein Feste Burg, Tenor Recitative: “Then Close Beside”, Chorale plus Ovation/
Bach Ein Feste Burg, Contralto and Tenor Duet: “How Blessed Then”
215 Bach Now Let Every Tongue, Paling of the Stars/ Dec. 10th, 1950 N.U. Choral Groups
Kramer Magnificat (2) Dec. 10th, 1950 N.U. Choral Groups
216 Bach Sanctus, B minor Mass, Part 1/ Dec. 9th-10th, 1950 N.U. Choral Groups
Bach Sanctus, B minor Mass Part 2, I Hear Along Dec. 10th, 1950 N.U. Choral Groups
217 Black As Lately We Watched, Masters in this Hall/ Dec. 10th, 1950 N.U. Choral Groups
Holst Cain Warrell Carol of the Birds, A Merry Christmas Dec. 10th, 1950 N.U. Choral Groups
218 Brahms 6 Love Songs Part 1/
Brahms 6 Love Songs Part 2
219 Britten, Hodie Ceremony of Carols/
Britten, Hodie Ceremony of Carols, That Yonge Child, Balulalow
220 Britten Ceremony of Carols, As Dew in April, This Little Babe/ Dec. 10th, 1950 Women’s Glee Club
Britten Ceremony of Carols, There is no Rose, That Yonge Child Dec. 10th, 1950 Women’s Glee Club
221 Britten Ceremony of Carols, Procession, Wecome Yule/ Dec. 10th, 1950 Women’s Glee Club
Praetorius Davis Lo, how a Rose PAT-A-PAN Dec. 10th, 1950 Men’s Glee Club
222 Britten Ceremony of Carols, Deo Gracias, Recession/ Dec. 10th, 1950 Women’s Glee Club
Britten Ceremony of Carols, In Freezing Winter Night Dec. 10th, 1950 Women’s Glee Club
223 Britten Ceremony of Carols, Wolcum Yule: There is no Rose/
No label
224 Salama “Jesus Christ is Born”, “Lullaby, Jesus Dear”, “Jingle Bells”/
Dec. 10th, 1950 N.U. Choral Groups 12 Days of Christmas Dec. 10th, 1950 Women’s Glee Club
225 Donovan, Gaul “Dame, Get Up”, “I Know O Virgin Mary”/
Dec. 10th, 1950 Women’s Glee Club Schein, McCollin “From Heights of Heaven”, “Come Hither Ye Faithful” Dec. 10th, 1950 A Cappella Choir
226 Angelus ad Pastores ait Christus natus est/
Dec.10th, 1950 N.U. Choral Groups Palestrina Magnificat in the Fourth Mode N.U. Choral Groups
227 Old Ship of Zion, Down in Yon Forest/
Lutkin Benediction and Humming
228 Quaecumque Sunt Vera, 10 030 B/
The Lord Bless You, 10 030 A
229 O, Little Town of Bethlehem Silent Night/
Dec. 1941 N.U. Madrigal Singers of 1941 Merry Christmas Dec. 1941 N.U. Madrigal Singers of 1941
230 Merrymount Praise We/
Little White Hen Ringing Bells
231 Hodie Alleluia/
Dec. 8th, 1940 N.W. Uni. A Cappella Shepherds Christmas Song N.U.
232 O Maria Diana Stella/
Noel A Cappella Choir
233 Come Hither Ye Faithful/
A Cappella Choir Handel Let Their Celestial Concerts
234 I Hear Along Our Street/
A Cappella Choir Warrell I Wish You a Merry Christmas
235 Go Northwestern, 10 031 A/
No label
236 Shepherd Song/
No label
237 Honegger Jeanne d’Arc (Tenor: Porcus)/
No label
238 Honegger Jeanne d’Arc (Tenor: Porcus)/
Nowell
239 Williams Wassail Song/
How Far is it to Bethlehem?
240 Von Bruck In Sorrow Part 1/
Von Bruck Year that Trembled, In Sorrow Part 2
241 Peter Grimes Old Joe/
Innsbruck
242 University Hymn Quaecumque Sunt Vera/
A Cappella Choir Robertson, Von Etten Rise Northwestern, Go U Northwestern Men’s Glee Club
243 The Lord Bless and Keep You/
A Cappella Choir Arr. Scott The Erie Canal Men’s Glee Club
244 Arr. Bartholomew The Old Ark’s A-Moverin’/
Men’s Glee Club Kodaly Ave Maria Women’s Glee Club
245 Unlabeled Audio Discs (18)
Processing Information
Nathan Garrett; July 2004.
- Title
- Guide to the George Russell Howerton (1905-1999)
- Author
- Nathan Garrett
- Date
- 01/07/2004
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- eng
Library Details
Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635
specialcollections@northwestern.edu