By Kelly Carlson
[Printer Friendly] | [ Email us about these papers]Title: Virginia Root Collection, 1847-1945
ID: 12/9/55
Primary Creator: Root, Virginia (1894-1980)
Extent: 4.5 cubic feet
Arrangement: by type of material and alphabetically thereunder
Subjects: Concerts, Sousa, John Philip, Vocal music
Formats/Genres: Papers
Languages: English
On Tuesday, 22 August 2000 the personal papers and performance collection of Sousa Band vocal soloist Virginia Root were acquired by the Sousa Archives for Band Research from Dr. John and Dr. Joan Dudd of Three Rivers, Michigan. Sousa biographer Paul E. Bierley provided a summary appraisal of the collection, which on accessioning comprised ca. 3 cubic feet. of materials including: manuscript and published vocal/piano music, much of which bears Root's signature and performance practice markings (381 published songs, vocal collections, and libretti) 5 published Sousa songs and the piano/vocal score to El Capitan inscribed by Sousa to Root a Sousa holograph (piano/vocal score, 2 p.; complete), a setting of "The Milkmaid" titled, "Hey, Dolly" [words from the song] photographs (i.e., Root; Sousa, his daughter Helen, Root, and other Sousa Band members in South Africa; Sousa Band at Willow Grove Park, and several other images) post cards of the Sousa Band in Willow Grove Park Sousa Band concert programs and route sheets (1915) numerous clippings (announcements and reviews of performances) two scrapbooks (clippings, concert programs) assorted concert and recital programs several volumes of the Musical Courier and Musical America that include journal articles related to Root.
Eleanor Virginia Root, descendant of entrepreneur Cornelius Vanderbilt and American composer and music publisher George Root, studied voice and held leading roles in opera productions in Italy and the United States following her graduation from P.S. 157 (St. Nicholas Ave and 157th Street) in New York City on 25 June 1900. Miss Root toured with the Harry Lauder All Star Company, using the stage name, Virginia Vervelle, prior to serving as vocal soloist for the Sousa Band from 1909 through 1917. She was in demand as a soloist in the New York Hippodrome shows in 1916 and 1917, as well as in sacred and secular performances throughout her professional career. Root performed in the "Chapman Concerts" in 1905; those concerts are frequently addressed in clippings and represented by concert programs. Works by artistic director and conductor William Grafton Chapman are among the works in Root's performance collection. Virginia Root married New York Times columnist George T. Macadam. The family, including a son, George, lived in Scarsdale, New York. Root died at the age of 96 on June 2, 1980 in Springfield, Massachusetts.