Finding Aid for A Austin Harding Papers, 1895-1958 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By LeAnn Splitter, Adriana Cuervo, and Kelly A. Carlson

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Collection Overview

Title: A Austin Harding Papers, 1895-1958

ID: 12/9/22

Primary Creator: Harding, Albert Austin (1880-1958)

Extent: 50.3 cubic feet

Arrangement: The Papers are arranged into four series: Series 1, Music, Sub-Series 1, Manuscript Arrangements by Harding, Sub-Series 2, Published Arrangements by Harding, Sub-Series 3, Manuscript Arrangements not by Harding, Sub-Series 4, Photo Negatives of Manuscript Arrangements, Sub-Series 5, Published Music not by Harding, Sub-Series 6, Solo/Ensemble Music and Method Books; Series 2, Personal Papers and Administrative Records, Sub-Series 1, Subject Files, Sub-Series 2, Correspondence, Sub-Series 3, Concert Programs, Sub-Series 4, Band Administrative Files, Sub-Series 5, Publications, Sub-Series 6, Course Materials, Sub-Series 7, Speeches and Biographical Material, Sub-Series 8, Honors and Awards, Sub-Series 9, Post-Retirement; Series 3: Professional Association Papers, Sub-Series 1, American Bandmasters Association, Sub-Series 2, National Music Camp (Interlochen), Sub-Series 3, University of Illinois Band Clinic, Sub-Series 4, Illinois High School Band Conference, Sub-Series 5, Contests and Guest Engagements, Sub-Series 6, Pi Kappa Lambda; and Series 4, Photos, Ephemera and Uniforms, Sub-Series 1, Photographs; Sub-Series 2, Ephemera; Sub-Series 3, Uniforms.

Subjects: American Bandmasters Association, Band, Football, Band Buildings, Band Clinics, Band Concerts, Band Department, Band Theory, Music Competitions, National Music Camp (Interlochen, MI)

Formats/Genres: Papers

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The A. Austin Harding Papers consists of music, correspondence, concert programs, administration files, publications, course materials and photographs that document the career of A. Austin Harding, Director of Bands at the University of Illinois from 1906 until 1948. Of particular interest are the manuscript arrangements made by Harding especially for the University of Illinois Concert Band; correspondence with influential band leaders and composers of the time including John Philip Sousa, Frederick Fennell, William Revelli, and Percy Grainger; and materials dealing with the evolution of the University band program from a small military band to the large band program it became by the time of Harding's retirement.

Biographical Note

Albert Austin Harding was asked to direct the University of Illinois Band by the head of the School of Music in the spring of 1905 while he was still a senior in the College of Engineering. Harding accepted and was officially a member of the faculty in the fall of 1905. To Harding, the position was only a temporary arrangement, as his goal at the time was to become a municipal and sanitary engineer. After two years of conducting the band, Harding was officially appointed the first Director of Bands in 1907, a position he held until his retirement in 1948. With this appointment Illinois became the first university to create a distinct band department under a director of bands. Harding eventually went on to earn a full professorship in music, making him the first band director on an American campus to hold this rank.

Professor Harding expanded the traditional roles of bands at military ceremonies and sporting events and added a great emphasis on concert band music and transcriptions of symphonic and chamber pieces. The professionalism and musicianship of the University of Illinois Bands under Harding were legend and became the standard to which other colleges and universities aspired.

Harding enjoyed a very close personal and professional relationship with the legendary bandmaster, John Philip Sousa. In the 1920s Sousa dubbed the University of Illinois Band "the world's greatest college concert band." On March 20, 1930, the band performed a concert with Sousa as its guest conductor. At the concert, Sousa dedicated his "University of Illinois March" to the faculty, students, and alumni. Upon his death in 1932, Sousa left his vast library and treasured mementoes to the University of Illinois as a gesture of his high esteem for Harding and his band. The Sousa collection is now housed in the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music located in the Harding Band Building, named in honor of Albert Austin Harding and dedicated in 1958. In addition to Sousa, the University of Illinois Band had many other guest conductors while under Harding's direction. Among these were Edwin Franko Goldman, Henry Fillmore, Frank Simon, Harold Bachman, Guy Holmes, and Victor Grabel.

Harding was a charter member of the American Bandmasters Association and served as its president in 1937-38. In 1956, he was elected to succeed John Philip Sousa and Edwin Franko Goldman as Honorary Life President. Harding was honorary life president of the College Band Directors National Association. Harding was among the founding members of the Alpha Xi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Harding died on December 3, 1958.

Subject/Index Terms

American Bandmasters Association
Band, Football
Band Buildings
Band Clinics
Band Concerts
Band Department
Band Theory
Music Competitions
National Music Camp (Interlochen, MI)

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Music],
[Series 2: Personal Papers and Administrative Records],
[Series 3: Professional Association Papers],
[Series 4: Photographs, Ephemera and Uniforms],
[All]

Series 4: Photographs, Ephemera and Uniforms

Sub-Series 1: Photographs

Box 19

Folder 1: Paris, Illinois High School Cadets, late 1890s
Folder 2: University of Illinois Band, 1895-96, ca. 1900: L. J. Allen leading Concert on Lawn ca. 1900); 1895-96 Band
Folder 3: University of Illinois Military Band, 1898-99
Folder 4: University of Illinois Combined and Concert Bands, 1907-23 and Undated
Folder 5: University of Illinois Combined and Concert Bands, 1931-48 and Undated
Folder 6: Miscellaneous Photographs, ca. 1933 and Undated: Chief Illiniwek; Harding (Taken by 'Life' Photographer)
Folder 7: University of Illinois Dance? Band, ca. 1926-34
Folder 8: University of Illinois Band Members, Undated: Listening Test for Radio Ad; With Unusual Instruments
Folder 9: University of Illinois Orchestra, Undated

Box 20

Folder 1: University of Illinois Military Band on Baseball Field, Undated
Folder 2: University of Illinois Band - "Block I" and "ILLINI" Formations, Undated
Folder 3: University of Illinois Military Band on Drill Field, Undated
Folder 4: University of Illinois and Visiting Marching Bands - Formations at Memorial Stadium, Undated
Folder 5: A. A. Harding (Guest Conductor) with Bands, 1931, 1937, Undated
Folder 6: Illinois School Band Association at Memorial Stadium, Undated
Folder 7: American Bandmasters Association Concert and Banquet Photographs, 1931, 1937, 1950, 1958
Folder 8: Sousa Memorial Photographs, 1932, 1935
Folder 9: Autographed Photographs, 1946, Undated
Folder 10: Photographs of Other Bands, Undated

Box 175: FRAGILE

Folder 1: A. A. Harding Photographs - sideview, 1921
Folder 2: A. A. Harding Photographs - sideview, inscribed, 1921
Folder 3: A. A. Harding print from program with signature, 1930
Folder 4: A. A. Harding photographs front view, ca. 1941 and ca. 1955
Folder 5: A. A. Harding Conducting Photographs and Negatives, ca. 1933-34, 1941, 1948
Folder 6: A. A. Harding at Desk Photographs and Negatives, ca. 1928, 1945, 1953
Folder 7: A. A. Harding Photographs, ca. 1909-10
Folder 8: A. A. Harding Prints of Bradbury Portrait, ca. 1948-49
Folder 9: University of Illinois Concert Band Annual Photographs, ca. 1900-1925
Folder 10: University of Illinois Concert Band Annual Photographs, ca. 1926-1950
Folder 11: A. A. Harding - Miscellaneous "Shots" Photographs, 1930, 1936, 1938, 1947 and Undated
Folder 12: A. A. Harding (guest conductor) with Bands, ca. 1930-40
Folder 13: University of Illinois Second Band Photographs, ca. 1907 and ca. 1911
Folder 14: Group photographs including A. A. Harding, 1905-40s
Folder 15: American Bandmasters Association Picture from Milwaukee Journal, 1937
Folder 16: University of Illinois Combined Bands (Anniversary Concerts), 1917, 1925-33, 1935-37, 1939-40, 1943
Folder 17: Combined Bands and University of Chicago Bands - Illinois-Chicago Game, 1927
Folder 18: University of Illinois Band with Sousa and President Kinley, 1930
Folder 19: First Regimental Band Photographs, after 1937
Folder 20: Twilight Concert Photographs, ca. 1924 and Undated
Folder 21: Proofs of Band Cuts, ca. 1910-20 and Undated
Folder 22: University of Illinois Band Pictures on Letter Size Paper, ca. 1929
Folder 23: University of Illinois Military Band Postcards, 1915-16, 1922 and Undated
Folder 24: University of Illinois Military Band Postcard - on stage, ca. 1907 and Undated
Folder 25: University of Illinois Military Band Postcard - on stage, 1913
Folder 26: University of Illinois Military Band Postcard - on stage, ca. 1915
Folder 27: University of Illinois Military Band Postcard - on stage, 1916, 1917, 1937
Folder 28: University of Illinois Band Baritone Section Photograph and Negative, Undated
Folder 29: University of Illinois Band Bass Section Photographs and Negatives, ca. 1920s
Folder 30: University of Illinois Band Clarinet Section Photograph and Negative, ca. 1920
Folder 31: University of Illinois Band Alto-Bass Clarinet Section Photographs, Undated
Folder 32: University of Illinois Band Cornet-Trumpet-Flügelhorn Section Photograph and Negative, ca. 1920
Folder 33: University of Illinois Band Double-reed Section Photographs, Undated
Folder 34: University of Illinois Band Flute Section Photographs, Undated
Folder 35: University of Illinois Band French Horn Section Photograph and Negative, ca. 1920
Folder 36: University of Illinois Band Percussion Section Photographs and Glass Negative, Undated: FRAGILE
Folder 37: University of Illinois Band Sarrusophone Section Photographs, ca. 1924 and Undated
Folder 38: University of Illinois Band Saxophone Section Photograph and Negative, ca. 1920
Folder 39: University of Illinois Band Trombone Section Photographs, ca. 1924 and Undated
Folder 40: University of Illinois Band Property and Propertyman (Basil Brown) Photograph and Negative, ca. 1920
Folder 41: University of Illinois Band Drum Major Photographs, Undated
Folder 42: University of Illinois Band - Block I formation at Pennsylvania Game Photograph, ca. 1926
Folder 43: University of Illinois Band - "Block I" to "ILLINI" Formation Charts with Instructions, Undated
Folder 44: University of Illinois Band - ILLINI formation at Pennsylvania Game Photograph, ca. 1926
Folder 45: University of Illinois Band - Block I Postcard, Undated
Folder 46: University of Illinois Band - "Illini Dads" formation, Chicago Game Photograph, 1927

Box 176

Folder 1: University of Illinois Band - "Michigan" formation Photograph, Undated
Folder 2: University of Illinois Band - "Penn" formation Photograph, ca. 1926
Folder 3: University of Illinois Band - "Ohio" formation Photograph, 1927
Folder 4: University of Illinois Band - "Welcome" formation, Chicago game Photograph, 1927
Folder 5: University of Illinois Band - "Sousa" formation Photograph, Undated
Folder 6: University of Illinois Band - National Clinic Bands Photograph, January 6-9, 1937
Folder 7: Other University Bands - Northwestern, Purdue, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio - Photographs, ca. 1926, 1928-30, Undated
Folder 8: Photographs of Other Bands - Professional, Community, High School, 1922-23, 1927, 1931, 1947 and Undated
Folder 9: Photographs of Massed Bands, 1935 and Undated
Folder 10: University of Illinois Orchestra Photographs, 1925, 1928-29, Undated
Folder 11: Negatives of Music - Strauss, R. - Death and Transfiguration (1 page) and Stanford Songs, Undated
Folder 12: University of Illinois Band Officers Photographs, Undated
Folder 13: Miscellaneous Photographs of Individuals, Undated
Folder 14: Band Tour Photographs and Negatives, 1897-1924
Folder 15: University of Illinois Band - Historic Instrument Photographs and Negatives, ca. 1920, Undated
Folder 16: University of Illinois Temporary Band Building, Undated
Folder 17: University of Illinois Band - Chief Illiniwek Photographs, 1926, Undated
Folder 18: University of Illinois Concert Band - Women Members, Undated
Folder 19: Autographed Photographs of former University of Illinois Band Members, 1919 and Undated
Folder 20: Service Print Negatives
Folder 21: University of Iliinois Band Yearly Photographs, 1897-1917
Folder 22: University of Illinois Band Yearly Photographs, 1920s-1940s

Box 188

Folder 1: American Bandmasters Association Meeting, Cincinatti, OH, March 7, 1935
Folder 2: UI Bands, 1930s
Folder 3: Other Bands, 1890s-1930s

Box 192

Folder 12: Harding and Band Staff with Sousa Trunks, ca. 1932
Folder 13: Harding at University of Illinois, ca. 1958
Folder 14: Harding and Associates, ca. 1930-1953

Box 193

Folder 2: Albert Austin Harding Portrait, 1948, and University of Illinois Marching Band, ca. 1948: See Also: Gold Braid and Buttons from Harding Uniform, ca. 1905-1948. Record Series 12/9/22, Series 4, Box 193, Folder 1.
Folder 3: University of Illinois Second Regimental Band, 1913
Folder 4: Urbana High School Band with A. A. Harding and J.P. Sousa, 1929
Folder 5: First Meeting of American Bandmasters Association, July 15, 1929

MapCabinet 3

MapDrawer 1

Folder 2: White House Reception of the American Bandmasters Association, April 1932

Sub-Series 2: Ephemera

Box 186

Box 3: Band Technique and Practice Books, ca. 1915
Box 4: Band Method Books, ca.1920
Box 5: Instrument Method Books, ca. 1920
Box 6: National, Patriotic, and Typical Airs of All Lands, 1890: Composer/Arranger: Sousa

Box 188

Folder 4: UI Band Posters, ca. 1930
Folder 5: 2 Batons

Box 192

Folder 15: Harding Business Cards and University of Illinois Military Band Emblem, Undated
Folder 16: University of Illinois Concert Band Medals, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, Undated

MapCabinet 3

MapDrawer 1

Folder 1: Illinois, Illinois; Certificate of Appreciation from Jan Bach Performance of "Dionysia", 1966

Sub-Series 3: Uniforms

Box 189

Item 1: White University Bands Blazer: Accession No. 2007.120922.001B.
Item 2: White University Bands Pants: Accession No. 2007.120922.001A.

Box 190

Item 1: Black University Bands Hat: Accession No. 2007.120922.003.

Box 191

Item 1: Black UI Bands Blazer: Accession No. 2007.120922.002.

Box 193

Folder 1: Gold Braid and Buttons from Harding Uniform, ca. 1905-1948: See Also: Albert Austin Harding Portrait, 1948. Record Series 12/9/22, Series 4, Box 193, Folder 2.

Oversize Textile Box 2

Item 1: Black University of Illinois Bands blazer, undated: Black trim. UI logo on collar. 2008.120922.004

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Music],
[Series 2: Personal Papers and Administrative Records],
[Series 3: Professional Association Papers],
[Series 4: Photographs, Ephemera and Uniforms],
[All]