R. Nathaniel Dett Club records, 1927-2001 | Center for Black Music Research

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Collection Overview

Title: R. Nathaniel Dett Club records, 1927-2001

Predominant Dates:1950-2001

ID: 3000/DETT_3002

Primary Creator: R. Nathaniel Dett Club

Extent: 3.83 Linear Feet. More info below.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2002

Subjects: Composers, Black, Musicians, Black, National Association of Negro Musicians (U.S.)

Forms of Material: Concert music

Abstract

Organizational records, dated 1927–2001, with the bulk of the materials dated 1950–2001, including constitution and bylaws, minutes, financial records, correspondence, programs, and other materials from one of the Chicago branches of the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM). The collection also includes supplemental administrative materials relating to NANM, dated 1973–2003.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The present collection has been arranged in two series, a series of records originating with the Dett Club and a series of records documenting interactions with the parent organization, NANM. The papers in both series include constitutions and bylaws, minutes and agendas from meetings, correspondence, programs from concerts, newsletters, and photographs. The NANM series includes materials relating to the national conventions and also to the NANM Central Region conferences.

Also of note in the Dett Club series is a sub-series of biographies of composers and performers used in the programs of various concerts. A few music scores received and shelved with the collection are cataloged in the CBMR Database, searchable from the CBMR website’s Library and Archives page: http://www.colum.edu/CBMR/Library_and_Archives/.

Collection Historical Note

Founded in 1922, Chicago’s R. Nathaniel Dett Club of Music and Allied Arts is one of the oldest active branches of the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM). The Dett Club has had a number of NANM luminaries in its roster. Among those have been: John E. Webb, Sydonia M. Brooks, Ruth Allen Fouche, and Ona B. Campbell. The Dett Club maintains an active concert and event schedule during the year, hosting a Black History Program, a summertime Garden Party, and an annual Scholarship Contest. A narrative history of the club by John E. Webb, Whispers of Love, published in 1987, is based on the records in the collection.

Biographical Note

Subject/Index Terms

Composers, Black
Musicians, Black
National Association of Negro Musicians (U.S.)

Administrative Information

Repository: Center for Black Music Research

Alternate Extent Statement: 3.83 linear feet (5 boxes)

Access Restrictions: None

Use Restrictions: None

Physical Access Note: Includes photographs, scores, reel-to-reel 1/4 in. magnetic tape (7/8 speed), essays, newspaper clippings, NANM conference papers, NANM Newsletters

Separated Materials: Scores

Related Publications: History of the club by John E. Webb, Whispers of Love, was published in 1987.

Finding Aid Revision History: minor finding aid edits by Adam Melville, March 6, 2018.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: R. Nathaniel Dett Club records],
[Series 2: NANM records],
[All]

Series 1: R. Nathaniel Dett Club records

Sub-Series 1: Constitutions, By-Laws, Minutes, Agendas and Correspondence

Box 1

Sub-Series 2: Administrative Materials

Box 2

Folder 1: Financial records and reports, accounts, contracts, Dett Juniors Papers and miscellaneous papers.

Sub-Series 3: Programs, Flyers, Recordings, and Biographies

Box 3

Sub-Series 4: Photographs, Memorials, and General Resources

Includes music, essays, clippings, and miscellaneous papers.

Box 4