Tuba-Euphonium Oral History, 2000-2001
A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at
Indiana University Bloomington
Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for
the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
http://mediaschool.indiana.edu/cdrp/oral-history/
Creator
Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory
TitleTuba-Euphonium Oral History, 2000-2001
Project No.
ohrc108
Interviews
12 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral
materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University
Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
In the Tuba-Euphonium Oral History Project, seven tuba musicians
were interviewed about their early training and subsequent careers in the music
industry. Each man--Robert Rusk, Jerry Lackey, L.B. Oliver, Ivan F. Hammond,
Kenneth Schubert, Samuel Gnagey, and Paul Krzywicki discussed instrument design
and different methods of teaching about and playing the tuba. All five of these
men studied at Indiana University and went on to play in other venues. They
talk about their experiences with William J. "Bill" Bell at Indiana University
as well as Bell's methods of teaching at the school.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains twelve interviews conducted from 2000 to 2003. The interviews range thirteen to forty-seven pages
of typed transcripts, but have no tapes.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the
history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open
to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies
are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any
restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier
(pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript
(deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for
patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that
interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview.
Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be
used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession
number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last
name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University,
Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape
number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Interview List
Interviewee
Baker, Buddy September 25, 2002
Call Number:
00-103
Physical Description
38 pp.; no tapes; index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
Buddy Baker discusses his education and musical experiences with
the trombone. He discusses those who influenced him, those he learned from, and
those he performed with. He discusses the changes in musical education and the
fundamentals of learning an instrument. Baker talks about his hobbies and
compares the learning and practicing techniques to those of music.
Access Status
Open
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Army ROTC
- Indiana University School of Music
-
-
-
Occupation Names
- music teacher
-
-
Personal Names
- Adam, William
- Beversdorf, Thomas
-
-
Subjects
- brass bands
- instrument design
- jazz music
- music conductors
- music education
- music fundamentals
- teaching methods
- trombones
Interviewee
Gnagey, Samuel July 1, 2001
Call Number:
01-098
Physical Description
13pp.; no tapes; index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
Samuel Gnagey discusses his early musical experiences, education
at Indiana University, and lifelong association with music. He cites his
father, a talented tuba player, as one of his biggest influences; a music
education major at Indiana University, Gnagey also took pre-medical courses for
several years. His jobs over the years reflect both areas of interest; he was a
nurse, an emergency medical technician, a music teacher, a tubist, and a
musical instrument creator and repairman. In this interview, he also discusses
studying with William J. Bell and his association with his Indiana University
classmates Donald Harry, Ivan F. Hammond, Paul Kryswicki, and others.
Access Status
Open
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Fort Wayne Philharmonic
- Indiana University
-
-
Occupation Names
- emergency medical technician
- nurse
- tuba musician
-
-
Personal Names
- Bell, William J.
- Hammond, Ivan F.
- Harry, Donald
-
-
Subjects
- musical instrument repair
- musical performance
- spelunking
- string instruments
- violin crafting
Interviewee
Hammond, Ivan F. April 26, 2000
Call Number:
00-094
Physical Description
28 pp.; no tapes; index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Ivan F. Hammond talks about his career as a
tuba musician. He talks extensively about instrument design and playing styles.
In addition, Hammond mentions his training at Indiana University and his
teachers and mentors who helped him succeed. He said that he started playing
the tuba late in life, at the age of sixteen, and so had to practice daily for
hours to feel like he had achieved competency.
Access Status
Open
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation
Names
- Indiana University School of Music
-
-
-
Occupation
Names
- tuba musician
-
-
Personal
Names
- Bell, William J.
- Beversdorf, Thomas
- Harry, Donald
- Kozuma, Tiber
- Nowicke, Carole E.
- Rose, William
-
-
Subjects
- auditions
- composers
- double tuba
- family history
- instrument design
- music education
Interviewee
Krzywicki, Paul February 11, 2000
Call Number:
00-095
Physical Description
24 pp.; no tapes; index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Paul Krzywicki talks about his career as a
tuba musician. He begins by talking about his early training and his years at
Indiana University. He also played with the United States Military Band at West
Point. Krzywicki has played with the Philadelphia Orchestra for twenty-eight
years and had to interview with Eugene Ormandy for the position.
Access Status
Open
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation
Names
- Indiana University
- Indiana University Opera
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- United States Military Academy at West Point
- United States Military Band
-
-
Occupation
Names
- tuba musician
-
-
Personal
Names
- Bell, William J.
- Green, Abe
- LeGasse, Oscar
- Novotny, Joseph
- Ormandy, Eugene
- Rankin, Ruth
- Romano, Leo
- Torchinsky, Abe
- Williams, Fred
-
-
Subjects
- mentors
- Mummer's band
- music education
Interviewee
Lackey, Jerry August 25, 2000
Call Number:
00-097
Physical Description
22 pp.; no tapes; index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Jerry Lackey talks about his experiences at
Indiana University before the arrival of William J. "Bill" Bell. Lackey comes
from a musical family and currently teaches sight-signing, jazz band, and
orchestra at Clay Middle and High Schools. He also describes in detail his
lessons with Bill Bell, playing in the operas at Indiana University, and
associating with various other colleagues while in the Indiana University
School of Music.
Access Status
Open
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation
Names
- Indiana University
- Indiana University School of Music
-
-
Occupation
Names
- music teacher
-
-
Personal
Names
- Bell, William J.
- Beversdorf, Thomas
- Marzan, Fred
- Revelli, William D.
- Rusk, Robert
- Whaley, Robert
-
-
Place
Names
- Beaver Dam, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- music education
- music school changes
- teaching methods
- tuba design
Interviewee
Marzan, Frederick J. November 17, 2001
Call Number:
00-104
Physical Description
43 pages, no tapes, index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
Frederick J. Marzan discusses becoming passionate about music in
high school and his struggle to become a good musician. He recalls musicians
from whom he learned through lessons and observation, particularly William
Bell. He discusses his musical experiences. Marzan talks about various tuba
models and about designing his own.
Access Status
Open
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation
Names
- Böhm and Meinl
- Eastman School of Music
- Indiana University School of Music
- Oklahoma City Symphony
-
-
-
Occupation
Names
- music teacher
-
-
Personal
Names
- Bell, William J.
- Haney, Lewis Van
- Jacobs, Arnold
- Meinl, Anton
-
-
Place Names
- Germany
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
-
-
Subjects
- brass bands
- music camp
- music techniques
- symphony band
- tuba models
Interviewee
Oliver, L.B. November 5, 2001
Call Number:
00-100
Physical Description
15 pp.; no tapes; index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
L.B. Oliver discusses his training on the tuba, mentioning with
gratitude and fond memories such mentors as Robert Barr and William J. "Bill"
Bell. He describes the time he spent playing in the band of the traveling Mills
Brothers Circus, the lifestyle it entailed, and various stories he recalls
about his time in the circus. In addition, he comments on the quality of
various tuba models he has played throughout his career as a musician and
teacher.
Access Status
Open
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation
Names
- Mills Brothers Circus
-
-
Personal
Names
- Baker, Stacy
- Barr, Robert
- Bell, William J.
- Louder, Earle
- Phillips, Harvey Gene
-
-
Subjects
- circus life
- music education
- tuba models
Interviewee
Parr, James T. March 11, 2003
Call Number:
00-105
Physical Description
20 pages, no tapes, index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
James T. Parr discusses his years spent at Indiana University where he focused on
a degree in mathematics, but also participated in many musical opprotunities as a tuba player,
including the "Marching Hundred", orchestra, brass choir and others. He was known to a generation
of tubists in the early 1960's as 'the person who imported Alexander tubas." He also dicusses
his life a a professor at Illinois State University, his fellow muscicians, and his musical endeavors
there.
Access Status
Open
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Alexander Factory
- Illinois State University
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Indiana University
-
-
Occupation Names
- Mathematics Professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Baer, Reinhold
- Baker, Buddy
- Baker, David
- Beversdorf, Thomas
- Cherok, Bill
- Foeller, George
- Hoffman, Ernst
- Livingston, Ed
- Wells, Herman B
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Illinois
- Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Frankfurt, Germany
- Indiana
- Lebanon, Indiana
- Maquoketa, Iowa
- New York, New York
-
-
Subjects
- Alexander Tubas
- Marching Hundred
- musical community
- musical performance
- tuba models
Interviewee
Robinson, Jack October 3, 2002
Call Number:
00-101
Physical Description
39 pages, no tapes, index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
Jack Robinson discusses his musical experiences and education
with the trombone. He talks about Professor William Bell, his teaching
approach, personality, and musical career. Robinson discusses those with whom
he has studied and worked. He shares anecdotes about his time at Indiana
University and about his musical career.
Access Status
Open
-
-
Corporation Names
- Army Headquarters Band
- Indiana University
- Sousa Band
-
-
Occupation Names
- music professor
-
-
Personal Names
- Adam, William
- Bell, William J.
- Beversdorf, Thomas
- Haney, Lewis Van
- Harry, Donald
- Yaxley, Donald
-
-
Place Names
- Florida
- Greeley, Colorado
-
-
Subjects
- bass trombone
- musical experiences
- vocal performance
Interviewee
Rusk, Robert May 24, 2000
Call Number:
00-096
Physical Description
28 pp.; no tapes; index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Robert Rusk talks about his early training
and subsequent career as a tuba musician. He talks briefly about his time as a
student at Indiana University and the competitiveness of the programs in the
School of Music. In addition, Rusk talks about his interest in pre-World War II
American-made tubas and the unique American tuba sound. He also talks about
tuba design and his experiences playing other instruments.
Access Status
Open
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University School of Music
- Sousa Band
-
-
Occupation Names
- tuba musician
-
-
Personal Names
- Bell, William J.
- Hellberg, Conn
- Jacobs, Arnold
- Lackey, Jerry
- Novotny, Joseph
-
-
Subjects
- American tubas
- double tuba
- tuba design
- tuba models
- tuba restoration
Interviewee
Schubert, Kenneth November 6, 2001
Call Number:
00-099
Physical Description
47 pp.; no tapes; index; curriculum vitae of interviewee
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
Kenneth Schubert discusses his family background, how he began
playing the trumpet, how he began teaching, and his music professors and fellow
musicians. He speaks of his education, shares stories about his professors and
training at the Indiana University School of Music, and talks about different
models of trumpet and cornet. In addition, Mr. Schubert describes his
relationships and memories of William J. "Bill" Bell, William Adam, Thomas
Beversdorf, and other musicians and professors.
Access Status
Open
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University School of Music
-
-
Occupation
Names
- music teacher
- trumpet musician
-
-
Personal
Names
- Adam, William
- Bain, Wilfred C.
- Baker, David
- Bell, William J.
- Beversdorf, Thomas
- Ecker, Keith
- Kaufmann, Walter
- Manski, Dorothée
- Mueller, Herbert
- Norton, Vera
- Schubert, Cecile
-
-
Subjects
- brass bands
- music competition
- music education
- teaching methods
- trumpet models
- university faculty
Interviewee
Streeter, Thomas W. October 2, 2002
Call Number:
00-102
Physical Description
20 pages, no tapes, index
Interviewer:
Nowicke, Carole E.
Scope and Content Note
Thomas W. Streeter discusses his musical experiences with the
trombone. He talks about the bands he worked for during college. He recalls
professors he studied under. Streeter discusses his time in the Airmen of
Note-- the United States Air Force band-- before becoming a professor at
Illinois Wesleyan University where he set up a jazz program.
Access Status
Open
-
-
Corporation
Names
- Airmen of Note
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Indiana University
-
-
Occupation
Names
- professor
-
-
Personal
Names
- Cobine, Al
- Haney, Lewis Van
-
-
Subjects
- jazz program
- musical experiences
- trombones
