Seymour Swets Collection, 1919-1973 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Printer-friendly |

Collection Overview

Title: Seymour Swets Collection, 1919-1973

ID: COLL/252

Primary Creator: Swets, Seymour (1900-1982)

Extent: 6.5 Cubic Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Professor of music at Calvin College. The collection includes lectures, correspondence, the manuscript of "Fifty Years of Music Making," programs, publicity, soloist information, articles, plus information on performances of the Messiah, other oratorios, musical groups, choirs, and tours.

Biographical Note

Seymour Swets was born in South Holland, Illinois, in the year 1900, the beginning of a new century. His parents moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in order to make use of the greater Christian education opportunities for their large family. Swets received his BA degree from Calvin in 1922, and a master's degree in history from the University of Michigan the following year. That year, 1923, he has appointed to teach music and speech at his alma mater.

In 1923 there was no music department, nor were any music courses offered for credit. As former President William Spoelhof said, "He was at the beginning." The next forty-four years were dedicated to serving Calvin, the church, and the community through teaching music, directing the A Cappella Choir, and administering the music affairs of the school. In addition, he directed the musical programs of the Oratorio Society from 1924 until his retirement in 1967. Upon his retirement he spent some five years in research for his book, published in 1973, Fifty Years of Music at Calvin College.

He served as an elder at LaGrave Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as their choirmaster for many years.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal and Music Department Papers, 1928-1965],
[Series 2: Music Department Affairs, 1919-1967],
[Series 3: Programs and Festivals],
[Series 4: Music Conferences and Miscellaneous, 1953-1962],
[Series 5: Music Conferences and Programs, 1926-1968],
[Series 6: Oratorios, 1938-1966],
[Series 7: Miscellaneous Items Related to the Oratorio Society, 1930-1968],
[Series 8: Pageant Materials and Music],
[Series 9: Miscellaneous materials],
[Series 10: Books and pamphlets],
[Series 11: Soloists' Correspondence and Photographs, 1932-1966],
[Series 12: LP33's],
[All]

Series 1: Personal and Music Department Papers --- 1928-1965

Box 1

Folder 1: Correspondence --- 1928-1940
Folder 2: Correspondence --- 1948-1965
Folder 3: Guild of Calvinist Scholars Newsletters --- 1955-1958
Folder 4: Press clippings; "To Our Chief Musician --- 1967
Folder 5: First chapter draft of 50 Years of Music at Calvin College
Folder 6: First draft of entire book --- 1973
Folder 7: Minutes and papers of the music department --- 1954-1955
Folder 8: Minutes and papers --- 1956-1959
Folder 9: Minutes and papers --- 1960-1961
Folder 10: Minutes and papers --- 1962