David Randolph papers

Description data TOP

unitid

{"value"=>"JPB 11-16", "type"=>"local_call"}

{"value"=>"18559", "type"=>"local_mss"}

{"value"=>"b19374896", "type"=>"local_b"}

unitdate

{"value"=>"1943-2010", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1943/2010"}

date_inclusive_start

1943

date_inclusive_end

2010

keydate

1943

unittitle

{"value"=>"David Randolph papers"}

physdesc

{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"13.35 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"42 boxes, 1 tube, 1 other item", "unit"=>"containers"}], "supress_display"=>true}

repository

{"id"=>"MUS", "value"=>"Music Division"}

abstract

{"value"=>"Conductor, radio host, and music educator David Randolph (1914-2010) was an active member of the New York classical music community. He served as musical director of the Randolph Singers, the Masterwork Chorus, and The St. Cecilia Chorus and was a longtime WNYC radio host of “Music for the Connoisseur,” later called “The David Randolph Concerts.” The collection contains letters, diaries, writings, concert programs, photographs, and annotated scores, documenting Randolph’s career."}

prefercite

{"value"=>"<p>David Randolph papers, Music Division, The New York Public Library</p>"}

origination

{"value"=>"Randolph, David", "type"=>"persname", "role"=>"creator"}

bioghist

{"value"=>"<p>Conductor, radio host, and music educator David Randolph (1914-2010) was an active member of the New York classical music community, and served as musical director of the Randolph Singers, the Masterwork Chorus, and The St. Cecilia Chorus.</p> <p>David Rosenberg was born in Manhattan in 1914 to Morris Rosenberg (born ca.1892) and Elsie Goodman (1893-1979). He changed his surname to Randolph shortly after graduating from high school. Randolph graduated from City College of New York with a bachelors degree in music in 1936, and in 1942 received a masters of arts degree from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University. From 1943 to 1947, Randolph worked as a music specialist for the United States Office of War Information. During this time he also formed a professional chamber ensemble called the Randolph Singers that recorded and performed around New York and elsewhere until 1972. He began his 33 year radio career at WNYC as the host of “Music for the Connoisseur,” later called “The David Randolph Concerts,” and in 1947 wrote radio scripts for classical music programs on the Columbia Broadcasting System.</p> <p>In 1948, Randolph married Mildred Greenberg (1913-2008), a member of the Randolph Singers and the executive coordinator for The St. Cecilia Chorus.</p> <p>Randolph is best known as the conductor and musical director for the Masterwork Chorus and Orchestra, an amateur chorus based in New Jersey, and as the director of The St. Cecilia Chorus. He co-founded the Masterwork Chorus in 1955 and conducted the group until 1992. He led the St. Cecilia Chorus between 1965 and 2010. Over his career he conducted 173 complete performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Both ensembles performed frequently at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and other prominent New York area venues.</p> <p>In addition to performing, Randolph was a devoted music educator. He taught at Montclair State University, Fordham University, and The New School, among others, and lectured in academic institutions and concert halls around the country. Randolph was also involved with The Masterwork School, St. Cecilia Chorus Educational Outreach Program, and choral seminars at Mohonk Mountain House. In 1964 he published a music appreciation book entitled <span class=\"title\">This Is Music: A Guide to the Pleasures of Listening</span>. Randolph received honorary doctorates from the College of Staten Island, and Saint Peter’s College, New Jersey, and the City College of New York awarded him the Townsend Harris Medal for outstanding achievements and distinguished service to the city. Randolph died in Manhattan on May 12, 2010.</p>"}

scopecontent

{"value"=>"<p>The David Randolph papers consists of letters, diaries, writings, concert programs, photographs, and annotated scores documenting Randolph’s career as a choral conductor, radio host, and music educator. The collection contains information on Randolph’s personal and professional life; his intellectual output, including drafts of articles, reviews, and his music appreciation book <span class=\"title\">This is Music</span>; and his conducting methods and performance decisions.</p> <p>Inquiries regarding audio materials in the collection may be directed to the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound (rha@nypl.org). Audio materials will be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.</p>"}

{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The David Randolph papers are arranged in nine series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18559#c116172'>Series I: Biographical Documents</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1931-2010</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Biographical Documents series is comprised of Randolph’s curriculum vitae, various biographical write-ups, genealogical notes, personal interest newspaper stories concerning Randolph, and official certificates of achievement and diplomas. Arranged alphabetically.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18559#c116182'>Series II: Correspondence</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1946-2010</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Correspondence series contains private and business letters, the bulk of which are from family members (primarily Stanley, Isaac, and Vivian Rosenberg), colleagues, and acquaintances. Many letters are “testimonials” from audience and chorus members that discuss Randolph’s musical performances, radio program, and his impact on their appreciation of musical. Also present are communications concerning performances, lectures, and publishing, including letters from Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, The St. Cecilia Chorus, the Masterwork Chorus, the Griffith Music Foundation, MidAmerican Productions, Mohonk Mountain House, and various institutions of higher education. Most of the letters written by Randolph are photocopies of originals written in the 1990s and 2000s, including emails to The St. Cecilia Chorus sent at the end of his life.</p> <p>Notable contributors include: Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Vernon Duke, Clifton Fadiman, Howard Hanson, Doris Humphrey, Harrison Kerr, Ernest Lubin, Tad Mosel, Walter Wehle Naumburg, Sam Norkin, Tony Randall, Lynn Redgrave, Klaus George Roy, William Schuman, Robert Haven Schauffler, Deems Taylor, Alec Templeton, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Edgard Varese, among others. The bulk of these letters date from the 1950s and 1960s and are notes regarding concerts, radio shows, opinions on music and specific performances, and social pleasantries. Also of interest are letters between Randolph and Neurologist Oliver Sacks, who used Randolph as an example of a musician who had stayed active and agile into his 90s (2007-2008). Arranged into folders by decade with some contributor folders at the end arranged alphabetically.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18559#c116201'>Series III: Diaries</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1943-2010</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Diaries series is comprised of 67 volumes (1943-2010) that contain daily entries noting Randolph’s professional and personal activities. Entries are brief. They include notes on appointments, deadlines, accomplishments, birthdays, anniversaries, and activities for the day. Occasionally they feature dramatic events in world news. The 1980 volume is missing and in its place is Randolph’s appointment calendar for that year. Arranged chronologically.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18559#c116205'>Series IV: Writings</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1950-2009</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Writings series (1950-2009) consists of drafts, notes, and published clippings of magazine articles; reviews; lectures and speeches; performance notes; musical compositions and exercises; record liner notes; scripts for radio programs, LPs, and Films; and miscellaneous writings by Randolph from throughout his career. This series is arranged into 8 subseries with each organized alphabetically by folder title with general writings at the beginning.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18559#c116267'>Series V: Ledgers</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1954-1962</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Ledger series is made up of two volumes that document Randolph’s personal finances from 1954-1962. Randolph recorded deposits, withdrawals, and loans, and noted the purpose for each transaction.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18559#c116269'>Series VI: Concert Programs</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1945-2007</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Concert Programs series consists of material related to Randolph’s public performances as a singer, conductor, and lecturer. Programs list the date and location of performances, performers, and notes on the featured works. Some of the programs contain program notes written by Randolph.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18559#c116276'>Series VII: Reviews and Publicity</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1947-2005</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Reviews and Publicity series contains newspaper and magazine reviews of Randolph performances, radio shows, lectures, and his book This Is Music. These clippings span Randolph’s entire career.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18559#c116278'>Series VIII: Photographs</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1957-1999</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Photographs series is comprised of 35 images spanning 1957-1999. The bulk of these are portraits of Randolph, including publicity shots and photographs of him during concerts and rehearsals. Of note are two color photographs of the Randolph Singers dressed in 18th century costume for a performance at the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia (October 16, 1958); 16 black and white photographs of a St. Cecilia Chorus dress rehearsal at Carnegie Hall (December 16, 1973); and 5 color photographs of Randolph conducting The St. Cecilia Chorus performance of the Berlioz Requiem at Carnegie Hall (May 10, 1991).</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/18559#c116281'>Series IX: Scores</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>undated</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Scores series consists of 248 scores that Randolph used for performances throughout his career. These scores are extensively annotated and contain markings and notes regarding interpretation, errata, performers, and performance dates and venues. Many scores hold inserted printed concert programs from Randolph’s performances of the work. Score types include published and photocopied versions of full orchestral scores and piano vocal scores. The bulk of the pieces are for chorus and orchestra and span the standard chorus repertoire (Bach, Beethoven, Berlioz, Handel, Hayden, Mozart, and Vivaldi) along with American and European 20th Century compositions (Bernstein, Britten, Giannini, Stravinsky, and Vaughan Williams). The performance markings provide insights into Randolph’s musical decision making process. Of note are three heavily used copies of Handel’s Messiah.</p></div></li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}

acqinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Donated by Sheridan W. Chapin, 2010, 2014</p>"}

processinfo

{"type"=>"processing", "value"=>"<p>Compiled by <span class=\"name\">Philip Heslip</span>, <span class=\"date\">2011</span></p>"}

{"value"=>"<p>Collection rehoused, audio/visual material transferred to LPA for reformatting and cataloging. The collection arrived with little order. Folders and folder labels were maintained and arranged alphabetically within series.</p>"}

accessrestrict

{"value"=>"<p>Inquiries regarding audio materials in the collection may be directed to the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound (rha@nypl.org). Audio materials will be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.</p>"}

userestrict

{"value"=>"<p> For permission to publish, contact the Chief, Music Division, The New York Library for the Performing Arts</p>"}

relatedmaterial

{"value"=>"<span class=\"archref\">The St. Cecilia Chorus Collection of Sound Recordings, 1967-. Music Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.</span><span class=\"archref\">Town Hall archives. Music Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.</span>"}

dsc_type

combined

extent_statement

13.35 linear feet (42 boxes, 1 tube, 1 other item)

date_start

1943

date_end

2010

Update Collection TOP

Update from EAD XML File

Child components TOP

1. Series I: Biographical Documents [9/1]
2. Series II: Correspondence [18/1]
3. Series III: Diaries [3/1]
4. Series IV: Writings [9/2]
5. Series V: Ledgers [1/1]
6. Series VI: Concert Programs [6/1]
7. Series VII: Reviews and Publicity [1/1]
8. Series VIII: Photographs [2/1]
9. Series IX: Scores [71/2]