Papers, 1916-1985.

Format:

Other

Author/Creator:

Elmore, Robert Hall, 1913-1985.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bingham, Seth, 1882-1972.

Bingham, Seth.

Chenoweth, Wilber.

Elmore, Maud.

Elmore, Wilber Theodore.

Elmore, Rachel.

Halpin, Thomas.

Kinder, Ralph.

Jackson, Mabel.

Newberry, Truman Handy, 1864-1945.

Newberry, Truman Handy.

Newberry, Harriet B.

McDonald, Harl, 1899-1955.

McDonald, Harl.

Oakley, Thornton, 1881-1953.

Oakley, Thornton.

Oglesby, Frank.

Rowley, Nelson B.

Smith, Henry Charles.

Snyder, Clarence.

American Guild of Organists.

University of Pennsylvania--Faculty.

University of Pennsylvania.

University of Pennsylvania. Dept. of Music.

Music patronage--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.

Music patronage.

Organ with orchestra.

Organ music.

Choral music--Pennsylvania.

Choral music.

Organ--Instruction and study.

Organ.

Piano--Instruction and study.

Piano.

Motion picture music--Pennsylvania.

Motion picture music.

Women physicians--Pennsylvania.

Women physicians.

Friendship--Pennsylvania.

Friendship.

Women--Social networks.

Women.

Genre:

Love letters -- Women authors.

Penn Provenance:

Gift of the National Christian Conference Center, 1993.

Physical Description:

52 Cubic ft.

Arrangement:

Organized into two main series: Music and Biography.

Place of Publication:

1916-1985.

Biography/History:

Robert Hall Elmore was born on January 2, 1913 in Rapapatnam, India where his parents served as missionaries. In 1915 the family returned to America and in 1918 settled in Lincoln Nebraska where Elmore began his formal music lessons. In 1925 the family moved to Wayne, Pennsylvania. Through the generosity of Harriet Newberry, wife of Truman Newberry, Robert Elmore began his studies in organ, piano, and theory with Pietro Yon in New York City.

As a teen Elmore played as the organist at the Central Baptist Church in Wayne as well as at the Lincoln Theatre in Bryn Mawr and the Anthony Wayne Theatre in Wayne. By 1933 Elmore had earned three licentiates simultaneously from the Royal Academy of Music of London in organ, concert piano, and pianoforte accompaniment, an unprecedented accomplishment. In 1933 he enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania under Harl McDonald, graduating with various University distinctions in 1937.

Elmore continued studying under Pietro Yon in New York and gave a recital at Carnegie Hall on December 2, 1936. On April 9, 1937, the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stowkowski gave the first major performance of an Elmore work, his tone poem "Valley Forge, 1777." In 1938 his composition "Three Sonnets" won the Mendelssohn Club national competition with Eugene Ormandy as one of the judges. Elmore continued to experience success including the performance of his one-act opera, "It Happened At Breakfast" as the first televised American opera.

Robert Elmore served on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania from 1937 to 1950 and became well known as the conductor of University choral groups and as the organist for Commencements. He also taught at the Clarke Conservatory and served as organist-choir director for the Holy Trinity Church on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia as well as for Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Summary:

The papers of Robert Elmore document the career and life of a successful musician, conductor, and educator. The collection consists of manuscript material falling into two series -- Music and Biography.

The Music series contains approximately 250 Elmore compositions representing the vast majority but not quite the total output of his works. Of the vocal works about 100 are sacred and 25 are secular. Sacred choral works include cantata-type extended works and anthem-type works. Of the instrumental works, 65 are for organ; the remainder are for various ensembles. Over half of the total are published. Many of the works include manuscripts from various stages of the work, from draft to final version. There are programs, correspondence with publishers, and financial documents as well. Include within the collection are Elmore's own student exercises as well as some student exercises of Elmore's students. Finally correspondence with other composers may also be found within the Music series. Some correspondents include Seth Bingham, Wilbur Chenoweth, Ralph Kinder, Harl McDonald, and Pietro Yon. Materials concerning Thornton Oakley and Frank Oglesby, associates from the University of Pennsylvania are also included.

The Biography series presents a remarkable picture of Elmore in all periods of his lifetime. A great quantity of memorabilia reflect the Elmore family's practice to save both pertinent and sentimental information. There are programs, clippings, scrapbooks, articles, writings, letters, and church bulletins all documenting his strong interests in music, theatre, opera, and other cultural events for which he gave his support. Of special interest is Elmore's brief career with the two movie theatres for which he played organ. His personal and business correspondence is voluminous and consist of both the notable to the effusive admirers. There is correspondence with and among family members and friends including Wilber Theodore Elmore and Maud Johnson Elmore (his parents), Rachel Elmore (his sister), Mabel Jackson (family friend) and Thomas Halpin (Elmore's personal secretary and friend). This part of the collection contains information on the friendship among friends and family, particularly between Rachel and Mabel. Here a researcher might gain insight into three overlapping circles of acquaintances which rarely intersect: an upper middle-class, a conservative evangelical religious circle, and a professional circle of nationally recognized musicians and virtuosi. The remaining material is composed of appointment books, financial documents, and photographic prints.

Finding Aid/Index:

Finding aid available from repository.

OCLC:

122631043

Access Restriction:

Access is granted in accordance with the Protocols for the University Archives and Records Center.

Online:

Finding aid