Blanche K. Thomas papers

id
6095
origination
Thomas, Blanche K., 1885-1977
date statement
1905-1979 [bulk 1934-1979]
key date
1905
identifier (local_mss)
21165
org unit
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
call number
Sc MG 179
b-number
b11883962
total components
37
total series
2
max depth
3
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2013-04-01 15:05:30 UTC
updated
2021-05-21 18:03:40 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"21165", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"Sc MG 179", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"b11883962", "type"=>"local_b"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1905-1979", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1905/1979"}
{"value"=>"1934-1979", "type"=>"bulk", "normal"=>"1934/1979"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Blanche K. Thomas papers"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"2 boxes", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1.25 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}
repository
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division</span>"}
abstract
{"value"=>"African American music teacher and composer Blanche K. Thomas was the founder of the Thomas Music Study Club. The Blanche K. Thomas papers reflect the musical career of this teacher and composer."}
langmaterial
{"value"=>"English"}
origination
{"value"=>"Thomas, Blanche K., 1885-1977", "type"=>"persname"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>African American music teacher and composer Blanche K. Thomas was the founder of the Thomas Music Study Club. Thomas graduated from the Juilliard School of Music (1928) and studied choral conducting at the Westminster Choir School. In 1932, she organized a mixed ensemble of youth to study and perform the music of African American composers. Annual recitals were presented at a variety of New York venues including Carnegie Hall and the New York World's Fair. Thomas arranged a number of the songs performed by the group. Originally called the Thomas Negro Composers Study Group, the organization became affiliated with the National Association of Negro Musicians in 1940, and continued under the name of the Thomas Music Study Group. During this period and through the 1960s, Thomas conducted lessons in piano, singing, and related subjects at her studio, the Thomas Music Studio, at her home at 409 Edgecombe Avenue in Harlem. Thomas also served as the director of church school music at New York's St. Philip's Church and was supervisor of church school music at St. James Presbyterian Church.</p> <p> In 1909, she married Joseph A. Thomas, who later became the business manager of the Study Group. Blanche Thomas died in 1977 at age ninety-two.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The Blanche K. Thomas Papers reflect some aspects of the musical career of this teacher and composer. The Personal series (1905-1978) includes a love letter written by her future husband, Joseph, during their engagement (1905), certificates, and citations.</p> <p>The series Music career (1934-1967) includes correspondence, programs, newsletters, and materials related to the Thomas Music Studio, Thomas Music Study Club, and the National Association of Negro Musicians. There is music composed and arranged by Thomas, both holograph and printed. An \"Index of Songs\" contains an alphabetical listing of songs, Thomas's file numbers, sheet music and some holograph music, lists, and letters. It appears that the index served as Thomas's organizational guide for recitals. The collection also includes other sheet music and songbooks, many written by African American composers.</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The Blanche K. Thomas papers are arranged in two series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/scm/21165#c1624929'>Personal</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1905-1979</div>\n</li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/scm/21165#c1624935'>Music career</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1934-1977</div>\n</li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}
arrangement
{"value"=>"<p>Papers organized into two series: I. Personal and II. Music career.</p>", "supress_display"=>true}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Gift of Joseph A. Thomas, 1977.</p>"}
separatedmaterial
{"value"=>"<p> Transferred to the General Research and Reference Division: book.</p> <p>Transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division: photographs.</p>"}
processinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Accessioned by Janice Quinter, March 2009.</p>"}
revisiondesc
{"value"=>"Finding aid updated by Lauren Stark.", "date"=>"2021 May 14"}
date_start
1905
keydate
1905
date_end
1979
date_inclusive_start
1905
date_inclusive_end
1979
date_bulk_start
1934
date_bulk_end
1979
extent_statement
1.25 linear feet (2 boxes)
prefercite
{"value"=>"[Item], Blanche K. Thomas papers, Sc MG 179, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library"}

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