Harold B. Lee Library

Brigham Young University and the School of Music

Introduction

Brigham Young University is a private university that seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continuing learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Tracing its roots to Utah’s rich pioneer heritage and to Brigham Young Academy, the original school established in 1875, the university continues to provide an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Music classes were first offered to students at the university in 1876.  Because these classes were immensely popular, the Department of Music was organized soon after, and was renamed in 1901 as the School of Music. In 1917 the first academic major in music was offered to students.  Since then, the accomplishments and growth of the School of Music reflect its status among other highly qualified music programs with national and international reputations. Brigham Young University’s remarkable history can be uncovered through many of the collections held in the University Archives. The following source materials can get you started on your exploration of Brigham Young University’s School of Music.

Secondary Sources and General information

Collections held by the University Archives will be more useful to your specific research topic after you understand more about the general history of the university. The following resources are available to help you develop that understanding.

• Histories of Brigham Young University
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years (4 volumes). Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. and W. Cleon Skousen. Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny.  Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976.
  • Butterworth, Edwin Jr. Brigham Young University: 1,000 Views of 100 Years. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.

Primary Sources

• Sample materials dealing with the Brigham Young University School of Music: A sample of the materials that contain information about BYU’s School of Music. To map out a research strategy, please schedule an appointment with the University Archivist at 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu for additional help in discovering what other collections we may have that pertain to your research topic.
  • UA 305 Biographical sketches of BYU Music Department faculty, undated Contains brief biographical sketches of Gustav Buggert, Don L. Earl, George W. Fitzroy, Joseph Keeler, Lawrence Sardoni, John Wakefield, Franklin Madsen, and Gerrit de Jong.
  • MSS 4105 John R. Halliday papers The collection primarily tracks Halliday’s career in music education at Brigham University; it includes course materials, memory and photo scrapbooks, sheet music, choral instruction manuals, and microfilm recordings of individual student recitals, group concerts, etc.
  • UA 5538 School of Music faculty historical information files This collection contains histories of faculty members who taught in the Brigham Young University School of Music between 1925 and 2008. The histories consist of oral histories, scrapbooks, reminiscences, and musical performances. The oral histories are in both DVD format and printed. The music is on DVDs.
  • UA 522 Records 1931-1971 Contains files of the department chair, and general department and faculty records, including correspondence, minutes, procedures, publications, and a sampling of class outlines and examinations.
  • UA 761 Music programs, 1948-2000 Annual compilations of programs distributed at music performances. Each volume contains programs for a given school year. Collection lacks volumes for 1982-83 through 1995-96; also 1997-98 and 1998-99.
  • MSS 6931 A. Harold Goodman papers The A. Harold Goodman papers contains notes regarding the revision of the Mormon hymnbook, agendas regarding meetings of the Music Department, a program for a production put on by the church, and two copies of sheet music called “I Heard Him Come.”
  • UA 1226 Records, 1973-1996 This collection contains documents outlining music classes given at BYU, different musical teaching opportunities, how to teach children music, and various files on primary and the music department. Restricted for 25 years after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.
  • UA 835 Compiled information on the Alfred Newman concert at Brigham Young University, [1987] Concert sponsored by the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications in memory of Alfred Newman and Ken Darby, film composer and film music arranger, respectively. Includes program; advertisement; article from “The Cue Sheet”; and twenty-eight photographs of Ken Darby, performers, guests, and recording equipment. Compiled in 1997 by James V. D’Arc, curator of Arts and Communication Archives at BYU.

This Popular Search Topics page offers only samplings of materials included in the University Archives that document the history of the Brigham Young University School of Music. Be sure to visit Special Collections to discover other material.