C. Warren Becker Collection

Collection

Identifier: Collection 210

Staff Only

Content Description

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

Creator

Becker, Cecil Warren, 1923-2004 (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

All users of this collection are required to completer the "Application to Use Unpublished Records,” and to observe the regulation specified in the “Patron Agreement” and “Researcher’s Code of Conduct.” All records in this collection are open and available for research. Citation for this collection:

Box___,Folder___, C. Warren Becker Collection (collection 210), Center for Adventist Research, James White Library, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI.

Extent

28 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection was fairly well arranged in general categories, and only some rearrangement was necessary within a given category during processing. However it was not possible to tell the relationship of the categories to each other, so the sequence of general categories was imposed during processing. The arrangement of the series is as follows:

Personal
Awards and Certificates
Items Related to Catharine Crozier and Harold Gleason
Writings
Teaching Materials
Andrews University
Programs
Scores
Items Removed

Bibliography

Within each section the folders are arranged by person and then in a somewhat chronological arrangement. The letters are strictly chronological. The papers and dissertations are strictly chronological, as well. If there is no date in one section, the arrangement is strictly alphabetical.

There are a number of oversize items. They are located in boxes 26, 27, 28. The oversize items are shown in this register in their proper sequential location within the overall collection with the box and folder number indicated along with the notation [see oversize].