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Whitney, Maurice C.: Improvisation on “St. Agnes”

 Item — Box: 23, Folder: 1
Identifier: VIII

Content Description

From the Collection: The C. Warren Becker Collection consists of twenty-eight boxes. There is considerable biographical information (see Bx 1 Fld 1) and personal correspondence (see Bx 1 Flds 6-15). The letters, cards, plagues and expressions of gratitude and appreciation to C. Warren Becker are a significant testimony to his impact (see Bx 1 Flds 28-38 and Bx 26 Flds 1, 2). There are 23 recording tapes with organ music, dedication of the organ of Pioneer Memorial Church at Andrews University, interviews, and worship services (see Bx 1 Fld 39; Bx 2; and Bx 3 Flds 1-7). There are several folders which contain materials, such as correspondence, photographs, papers, and outlines related to Catharine Crozier and Harold Gleason (see Bx 3 Flds 26-40; Bx 4 Flds 1-15).

Because Becker believed that one of the most important functions of a church musician is to lead the congregation in the singing of hymns, he enjoyed organizing hymn festivals, and this collection contains notes of programs of his many hymn festivals (see Bx 5 Fld 14). He also kept sources on the history of Adventist hymnology (see Bx 7 Flds 1-7). Moreover, there are articles, papers, outlines, and considerable sources as part of his teaching materials (see Bx 7 Flds 24-32; Bx 8; Bx 9; Bx 10 Flds 1-10). Also included are materials by Wolfgang Hans Martin Stefani, such as correspondence, dissertation and papers (see Bx 6 Flds 2-19).

This collection also contains historical information on the purchase of pipe organs for Pioneer Memorial Church and the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Chapel. Another interest of Becker were the stained glass windows in the Pioneer Memorial Church (see Bx10 Flds 14-25). Additionally, he liked to collect church and music programs. These have been divided as “Ceremony Service”–such as funeral, organ dedication, and wedding services, “Organ Recitals,” and “Worship Services” (see Bx10 Flds 17-32; Bx11). The largest section of this collection is Becker’s personal collection of musical scores mostly for the organ. Most of them are originals, but there are photocopied scores as well (see boxes 12 -25, 29 - 32).

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1934 - 2004

Extent

From the Collection: 28 Boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Center for Adventist Research Manuscript Collections Repository

Contact:
4190 Administration Drive
Berrien Springs MI 49104-1440 USA
269-471-3209