February 2005

Yale Fineman Memorial Service

A wonderfully attended memorial event and celebration of the life of Yale Fineman took place the afternoon of January 31, 2005 in the Gildenhorn Recital Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. A reception followed providing an opportunity for guests to speak with Yale’s wife, Carol, and his family and friends.

The program began with remarks by Dr. Charles Lowry, UM Dean of Libraries, who described Yale as “a force of nature”. John Druesedow, Head of the Music Library at Duke University Libraries, spoke fondly of Yale’s career and contributions while at Duke. The Finemans' neighbor and friend, William Burns, shared stories about life with Yale in the neighborhood. Warren Verbin, a cousin, recalled youthful memories that gave a glimpse into Yale’s formative music interests. Dr. Barbara Haggh-Huglo, Associate Professor of Musicology, UM School of Music, spoke about Yale’s efficient and steadfast support for the School of Music faculty and students. Dr. H. Robert Cohen, Professor of Musicology currently on sabbatical from the UM School of Music, expressed similar sentiments in a letter read by Musicology graduate student Vashti Gray. Dr. Bruce D. Wilson, retired Head of MSPAL, spoke about the joy of working closely with Yale these past few years. Carol Fineman, Yale’s wife, gracefully concluded the program with thanks for all involved.

Interspersed throughout the program were recordings of Yale performing his transcriptions for classical guitar of Spanish music originally for vihuela, piano, and baroque guitar. A program highlight was the performance of the classical guitar composition, Cascada, by its composer, John Mayrose. The Southeast and Atlantic Chapters of the Music Library Association commissioned this work for Yale in 2004.

Searches for MSPAL Head and Music Cataloger Underway

Two search committees are currently hard at work to fill the vacancies for Head of MSPAL, and Music Cataloger, a new position for the UM Libraries. The search committees include members of the UM Libraries staff and faculty, and administrators from the School of Music and Clarice Smith Center.

The new MSPAL Head will emerge at an exciting time for both the performing arts and librarianship at UM with the arrival of new collections and blossoming external relation possibilities. Furthermore, the new Head will also face the challenge of leading a staff still adjusting to new demands created by Bruce D. Wilson’s retirement and also coming to terms, emotionally and professionally, with the loss of Yale Fineman.

The Music Cataloger will expedite access to newly acquired materials needed for music research by UM’s students. Tackling long-standing backlogs of uncataloged CDs, scores, and books will also boost MSPAL’s collections and public service capabilities.

Allen Britton Papers – Now Ready for Prime Time!

The Allen Perdue Britton Papers, one of the largest collections in Special Collections in Performing Arts (SCPA), are now fully processed and available for public use following 13 years of developing and acquisition.

A prominent figure in American music education and musicology, Allen Britton (1914 – 2003) was Dean of the School of Music and, at the time of his death, Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan School of Music. He served as president of the Music Educators National Conference and the Sonneck Society for American Music (now the Society for American Music) as well as on many committees and boards. Dr. Bruce D. Wilson, retired Head of MSPAL, was a doctoral student of Professor Britton at Michigan and was responsible for obtaining the Britton Papers for UM. Dr. Britton’s accomplishments also include the authorship of several books and being the founding editor of the Journal of Research in Music Education and American Music.

The collection includes correspondence and files relating to Britton's professional life and his involvement in the Juilliard Repertory Project, the Journal of Research in Music Education and American Music. Correspondents include Karl J. Glenn, Karl Haas, W. C. Handy, George N. Heller, Emil Holz, Zoltan Kodaly, Irving Lowens, Eugene Ormandy, Claude Palisca, Mstislav Rostropovich and Paul Van Bodegraven.

New Video Reserve Service at MSPAL

In cooperation with NonPrint Media Library in Hornbake, MSPAL is now preparing to offer video reserves for courses in dance, theatre, and music. This new service is beneficial to students in the resident departments of the Clarice Smith Center. Look for MSPAL’s video holdings to grow through new special collections over the next year.

New Acquisitions