Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
R. Nathaniel Dett Papers
c.00206
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
- Creator
- Dett, R. Nathaniel, 1882-1943
- Title
- R. Nathaniel Dett papers
- ID
- c.00206
- Date [inclusive]
- 1913-1943
- Extent
- 1.0 Cubic feet , 34 folders
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan."
Biographical Note
R. Nathaniel Dett, the eminent black composer, was born in Drummondville, Canada, on October 11, 1882. He attended the Lockport Conservatory of Music and later received a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin College. He earned his M. A. at the Eastman School. Further musical studies were undertaken in Paris, France, where Dett studied under Boulanger. In 1920, Harvard awarded him the Bowdoin Prize for his essay "The Emancipation of Negro Music." Seven years later he received the first presentation of the Harmon Foundation for creative music. Dett has been credited as the first to write black folk songs for classical development. In addition to his outstanding compositions, Dett wrote five books on the development of black music.
In his career Dett served on the faculty of Lane College, Tennessee (1908-1911); the Lincoln Institute, Missouri (1911-1913); Hampton Institute, Virginia (1913-1931); Samuel Houston College Texas (1935); and Bennett College, North Carolina (1937) While at the Hampton Institute, Dett took its choir on a world tour. He was serving as director of musical activities for the U.S.O. at the time of his death on October 2, 1943, in Battle Creek, Michigan.
The papers include scores of Dett's music, autographed sheet music, newspaper clippings, a program fro, a concert of Dett music, and a copy of the Fisher Edition News, a music industry publication.
9/19/97 Revised March 2000
Scope and Contents note
The collection includes scores of Dett's music, autographed sheet music, newspapers clippings, a program from a concert of Dett's music, and a copy of the Fisher Edition News, a music industry publication.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections September 1997
Conrad Hall888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu
Revision Description
March 2000
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Legal Status
Copyright: Michigan State University. Some materials may have copyright restrictions. Property Rights: Michigan State University.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Custodial History
Gift of Paul Eickmeyer, 1970-07-23.
Controlled Access Headings
Genre(s)
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Concert programs
- Microfilms
- Publications
- Sheet music
Personal Name(s)
- Dett, R. Nathaniel, 1882-1943
Subject(s)
- Folk songs
- Music -- United States
- Musicians, Black
Collection Inventory
Dett Compositions |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Listen to the Lambs 1914 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
O Holy Lord 1916 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
I'll Never Turn Back, No More 1917 |
1 | 3 | ||
|
America the Beautiful 1918 |
1 | 4 | ||
|
Weeping Mary 1918 |
1 | 5 | ||
|
Gently, Lord, O Gently Lead Us 1924 |
1 | 6 | ||
|
Let Us Cheer the Weary Traveler 1926 |
1 | 7 | ||
|
As Children Walk Ye in God's Love 1930 |
1 | 8 | ||
|
Ave Maria 1930 |
1 | 9 | ||
|
Don't you Weep No More, Mary 1930 |
1 | 10 | ||
|
Brooks Miller (manuscript) 1940-1943 |
1 | 11 | ||
|
God's Trumpet Wakes the Slumbering World (manuscript) 1940-1943 |
1 | 12 | ||
|
As By the Streams of Babylon 1933 |
1 | 13 | ||
|
Go Not Far From Me, O God 1933 |
1 | 14 | ||
|
Wasn't That a Mighty Day 1933 |
1 | 15 | ||
|
The Dett Collection of Negro Spirituals |
1 | |||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
First Group, arranged and edited by R. Nathaniel Dett 1936 |
1 | 16 | ||
|
Second Group, arranged and edited by R. Nathaniel Dett 1936 |
1 | 17 | ||
|
Third Group, arranged and edited by R. Nathaniel Dett. 1936 |
1 | 18 | ||
|
Fourth Group, arranged and edited by R. Nathaniel Dett. 1936 |
1 | 19 | ||
|
Ask For the Old Paths (autographed) 1941 |
1 | 20 | ||
|
Heavenly Union (autographed) 1941 |
1 | 21 | ||
|
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross 1941 |
1 | 22 | ||
|
Eight Bible Vignettes for the Piano |
1 | |||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
No. 1 "Father Abraham" 1941 |
1 | 23 | ||
|
No. 2 "Desert Interlude" 1942 |
1 | 24 | ||
|
No. 3. "As His Own Soul" 1942 |
1 | 25 | ||
|
No. 4. "Barcarolle of Tears" 1943 |
1 | 26 | ||
|
No. 5 "I Am the True Vine" 1943 |
1 | 27 | ||
|
No. 6 "Martha Complained" 1942 |
1 | 28 | ||
|
No. 7 "Other Sheep" 1943 |
1 | 29 | ||
|
No. 8 "Madrigal Divine" 1943 |
1 | 30 | ||
|
|
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Miscellaneous Documents |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
"A Concert of Dett Compositions" Program June 11, 1943 |
1 | 31 | ||
|
Fischer Edition News June-December, 1940 |
1 | 32 | ||
|
Autographed Envelope 1943 |
1 | 33 | ||
|
Newspaper Clippings 1939-1943 |
1 | 34 | ||
|
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Microfilm |
Drawer Microfilm |
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|
Reel #1: Papers |
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