Herbert Hazelman Collection

Individual Collection name: Herbert Hazelman Collection

Repository name: Special Collections in Performing Arts,
Performing Arts Library, University of Maryland

Type: Professional and personal papers including programs, newspaper clippings, recordings and educational materials.

Collection dates: 1931-2001

Extent: 5 linear feet

Description: The Herbert Hazelman Collection contains materials relating to Hazelman's career as the band director at Greensboro (Grimsley), North Carolina Senior High School. Most of the collection consists of concert programs, recordings, and newspaper clippings. The collection also contains some material relating to tours Hazelman undertook with his band, and Hazelman's activities in professional organizations such as the American Bandmasters Association. While the majority of the materials are textual and in good condition, some items may be restricted owing to their fragile state. Please contact the curator for information on specific items.

Finding Aid: An unpublished finding aid is available in the repository.

SCPA shelf location: SCPA Collections Room, Aisle C

Access: Materials from this collection must be used in the Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10 to 5, Monday through Friday. Please make an appointment with the curator.

Biography: Herbert Hazelman is best known for his 42-year tenure as the director of the Greensboro (Grimsley), North Carolina Senior High School Bands (Greensboro Senior High School became Grimsley High School in 1963). In 1925, Greensboro schools' music supervisor, Glenn Gildersleeve, appointed the World War I Army Band clarinetist H. Grady Miller to organize an instrumental music program at Greensboro High School. Miller was elevated to music supervisor in 1926, the same year that Earl Slocum joined the faculty to create an orchestral program. The Great Depression forced the curtailment of the Greensboro music program in 1933, however, the band carried on informally under the direction of English teacher Edward Tannenbaum. In 1936 Herbert Hazelman was appointed as the sole instrumental music teaching force for the Greensboro schools. By 1963 the music faculty had grown to twelve full-time and two part-time instrumental music teachers, all under Hazelman's supervision.

In 1963, Hazelman listed a series of "firsts" achieved by the Greensboro (Grimsley) Senior High School Band. These included the ensemble's being the first band from North Carolina to appear at the Mid-West National Band Clinic in Chicago, the first use of the "Twin-band" marching style in North Carolina, the first high school band to have a balanced clarinet choir, the first to have a regularly scheduled television broadcast series, and the first to perform for the Canadian Bandmasters Association.

During the years covered by the collection (1932-2001), several different Greensboro (Grimsley) Senior High School bands appear. By 1963 the names of these bands seems to have stabilized, with Hazelman directing the Symphony Band, and Edgar Q. Rooker conducting the Concert Band. By 1970 a Stage Band was added under the direction of Charles Murph and Kenneth Sampson (this was changed to the Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Band by 1975). Prior to 1963 we find references to a Training Band, an Activities Band, and a Concert "B" Band, all conducted by various members of the band staff. During these early years, Hazelman's ensemble is usually called the Concert Band. Most of the collection's recordings contain only the performances of Hazelman's ensembles.

Hazelman was responsible for a number of premiere performances, most notably of pieces by M. Thomas Cousins and John Barnes Chance. Chance was a Ford Foundation Young Composer at Greensboro between 1960 and 1962, while Cousins was associated with the school in 1959. In addition, the Greensboro Bands premiered Gunther Schuller's Meditation for Concert Band as well as several of Hazelman's own compositions and arrangements.

Life Chronology:
1913            Born 13 October, Topton, North Carolina
1930            Graduates from high school, Asheville, North Carolina
1933-1936   Oboist with North Carolina Symphony
1935            BA, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
1935-1936   Bandmaster at Durham, North Carolina, High School
1936            Becomes bandmaster, Greensboro Senior High School
1937-1941   Oboist/Bassoonist with Greensboro Symphony
1942-1944   Ensign in United States Navy (Gunnery Officer)
1944            31 January, marries Mary Frances Bell
1948-1951   Conductor of Greensboro Civic Band
1951            Elected to the American Bandmasters Association
1951-1953   Hornist with Winston-Salem Symphony
1953            Son born, Casey Hazelman
1953            MA, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
1954            Performance at the Mid-West National Band Clinic
1954            Performance at Washington Redskins' game
1963            Bassist with Greensboro Symphony
1963            Host ABA Convention
1964            Performance at New York World's Fair
1968            Commission, North Carolina Symphony
1972            Performance for President Richard M. Nixon
1973            Greensboro Schools' Music Director
1978            NC Music Educators Honorary Life Membership
1978            Retires from Greensboro (Grimsley) High School
1979            Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, O. Henry Award
1983            Euterpe Club of Greensboro Award of Excellence

Series Arrangement:
Series I: Correspondence
Series II: Press Clippings
Series III: Professional Papers, Educational
Series IV: Professional Papers, Non-Educational
Series V: Personal Papers and Financial Records
Series VI: Photographs
Series VII: Recordings

Series Description:
Series I, Correspondence, 1932-1996, contains letters to Hazelman, mostly regarding his teaching activities in North Carolina. A few letters concern Hazelman's own publications, and his enlistment in the United States military.

Series II, Clippings, 1932-1999, contains newspaper and periodical clippings, mostly relating to Hazelman's teaching activities in North Carolina. A few clippings are of music columns Hazelman wrote himself, and several concern his interest in trains.

Series III, Professional Papers, Educational, contains documents relating to Hazelman's career as a music educator. This series includes Hazelman's contracts with the Greensboro schools from between 1945 and 1967; evaluations of Hazelman's work there from between 1973 and 1976; documents regarding his teacher certification; and other professional papers. A major portion of this series is devoted to programs of the Greensboro High School Band under Hazelman's direction. Also in this series are documents concerning several domestic and foreign trips taken by Hazelman's high school band. Finally this series contains material concerning Hazelman's involvement with the Ford Foundation Young Composer program, and his activities as a clinician and contest judge.

Series IV, Professional Papers, Non-Educational, contains essays written by Hazelman, mostly for courses he took at the University of North Carolina. This series also includes materials related to several organizations to which Hazelman belonged, including the American Bandmasters Association.

Series V, Personal Papers and Records, contains a small number of documents related to the high school in Asheville, North Carolina Hazelman attended, and financial papers of the Hazelman family.

Series VI, Photographs, contains two photographs. Both are unlabeled, but one appears to be of Hazelman's band in Jamaica.

Series VII, Recordings, contains more than 150 recordings of the Greensboro, North Carolina High School band under Hazelman's direction.

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