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Collection Overview
Abstract
Professor of music at Calvin College, director of the Calvin Oratorio Society, and director of instrumental music program in Grand Rapids Christian Schools. The collection includes articles, correspondence, programs, and records regarding the planning of the Fine Arts Center at Calvin College, manuscript of the "Bi-Centennial Music Handbook," and newspaper clippings. [See also the Campus Titles Database.]
Biographical Note
Harold Paul Geerdes was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 5, 1916. Geerdes attended Calvin College and graduated with an education degree in 1937. During his time at Calvin, Geerdes’ passion for music led him to be a part of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. It was at the Symphony where Geerdes studied conducting under the Russian conductor Nikolai Malko in the 1940s. Geerdes’ other passion, education, led him to a career as a music teacher at Christian and public schools. He also worked part-time at Calvin College as a music assistant. He also had a brief stint working at J. and J. Music Shop in Grand Rapids.
In 1955, Geerdes joined Calvin College’s faculty full-time as associate professor of music. He was very involved with Calvin’s music programs, he taught courses on conducting, acoustics, chamber music, and interim term courses. He also served on the programming committee for Calvin’s Fine Arts Center as well as the concert manager for the music department and directed the recording services on campus. He served as conductor of the Calvin Band and Orchestra for twenty years. Geerdes also started the Knollcrest Music camp, which provided a summer day camp for students interested in music in grades 6 to 12. In 1967, Geerdes served as the director of the Calvin Oratorio Society.
Geerdes retired from the classroom in 1979. Although retired, Geerdes’ life was far from relaxing. The Saint Cecilia Music Society in Grand Rapids extended the position of executive director, which he gladly accepted. He also started his own acoustical firm. In 1992, Geerdes had the privilege of accepting the Faith-and-Learning Award, which is granted by the Calvin Alumni Association.
Geerdes passed away on April 4, 2002. His wife, Gladys, preceded him in death. He left behind his three children: Paul, Rick, and Judy. Geerdes memory lives on through the two scholarships at Calvin that bear his name.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Alternate Extent Statement:
1.25 cubic ft.
Acquisition Source:
Gift of H.P. Geerdes
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Correspondence On and Plans for Calvin's Fine Arts Center, 1961-1981],
[
Series 2: Music Programs, 1936-1968],
[
Series 3: Articles, 1942-1991],
[All]
- Series 1: Correspondence On and Plans for Calvin's Fine Arts Center --- 1961-1981
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Personal items of director
- Folder 2: Correspondence on the sound system
- Folder 3: Correspondence regarding equipment --- 1963-1965
- Folder 4: Correspondence with architect, J. T. Daverman: auditorium building
- Folder 5: Correspondence on remodeling project --- 1970
- Folder 6: Correspondence of H. P. Geerdes as concert manager --- 1968-1978
- Folder 7: Program of the Calvin College Fine Arts Center --- June 1963
- Folder 8: Publication of "Acoustics for the Music Educator," co-authored --- 1979
- Folder 9: Publication of "Planning Educational Music Facilities" --- 1975
- Folder 10: Articles written for various magazines --- 1968-1974
- Series 2: Music Programs --- 1936-1968
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Music programs --- 1936-1968
- Folder 2: News clippings
- Folder 3: Advertising posters
- Folder 4: Programs --- Sep 1960 - Jun 1964
- Folder 5: Programs --- Oct 1964 - Jun 1966
- Folder 6: Three pictures of Netherlands churches (cathedrals)
- Series 3: Articles --- 1942-1991
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Personal: genealogy information; retirement open house --- 1981
- Folder 2: Banner articles --- 1962, 1972
- Folder 3: Dutch International Society magazine articles --- 1971, 1972, 1975, undated
- Folder 4: The Instrumentalist articles --- 1968-1979
- Folder 5: Impresario articles --- 1969
- Folder 6: Miscellaneous magazine articles --- 1942-1987
- Folder 7: Conference and convention speeches --- 1974-1986
- Folder 8: Copyrighted material --- 1975, 1987, 1991
- Folder 9: Non-copyrighted publications
- Folder 10: Holland Festival --- 1974
- Folder 11: Music Performance areas in Holland and England --- 1970
- Folder 12: Adjusted Acoustics for Music Performances, reprint --- 1975
- Folder 13: EFC project material
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Correspondence On and Plans for Calvin's Fine Arts Center, 1961-1981],
[
Series 2: Music Programs, 1936-1968],
[
Series 3: Articles, 1942-1991],
[All]
