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

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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 2: Music Department Affairs --- 1919-1967

Box 2

Folder 1: Minutes and papers --- 1963
Folder 2: Minutes and papers --- 1964
Folder 3: Minutes and papers --- 1965
Folder 4: Minutes only --- 1966
Folder 5: Papers --- 1966
Folder 6: Minutes and papers --- 1967
Folder 7: Staff personnel --- 1951-1963
Folder 8: Music curriculum --- 1962
Folder 9: Department budget --- 1951-1965
Folder 10: Projected needs --- 1946-1963
Folder 11: College expansion --- 1952-1963
Folder 12: Division of Language, Literature and Arts --- 1955-1956

Box 3

Folder 1: Music - speech building --- 1966

Folder 2: Music in a Christian college: a statement of objectives --- 1961-1962

Folder 3: College pipe organ (1) - on Franklin campus, Eerdmans' gift --- 1930

Folder 4: College pipe organ (2) - on Knollcrest campus, Zondervan's gift --- 1967

Folder 5: Cayvan gift of 78 RPM and LP records --- 1951-1965

Folder 6: Department publicity --- 1953

Folder 7: First Men's Glee Club --- 1919-1922

Folder 8: Programs of Men's Glee Clubs --- 1925-1933

Folder 9: Ladies' Glee Club Programs --- 1927-1931

Folder 10: Michigan State College Glee Club Festival --- 1929-1930

Folder 11: Combined Glee Clubs --- 1928-1933

Folder 12: Quartets, with diary --- 1920-1961

Folder 13: Seminary choirs --- 1941-1948

Folder 14: Seminary choir music

Folder 15: Swets - Van Andel pupil recitals --- 1935-1943

Folder 16: Faculty recitals --- 1951-1967

Folder 17: College-sponsored student recitals --- 1935-1967

Folder 18: College-sponsored programs --- 1950-1967

Folder 19: FAC dedication program --- 1966

Folder 20: College band programs --- 1948-1967

Folder 21: College band festivals --- 1957-1964

Folder 22

Item 1: College orchestra and string concert programs --- 1948-1967
Item 2: A Cappella Choir --- 1935-1966

Box 4

Folder 1: First choir --- 1935
Folder 2: Choirs --- 1936, 1937, 1938
Folder 3: Choirs --- 1938, 1939, 1940
Folder 4: Choirs --- 1940, 1941, 1942
Folder 5: Choirs --- 1942, 1943, 1944
Folder 6: Choirs --- 1944, 1945, 1946
Folder 7: Choirs --- 1946, 1947, 1948
Folder 8: Choirs --- 1948, 1949, 1950
Folder 9: Choir recording --- 1949
Folder 10: Choirs --- 1950-51
Folder 11: Choirs --- 1951-52
Folder 12: Choirs --- 1952, 1953
Folder 13: Choirs --- 1953, 1954, 1955
Folder 14: Choirs --- 1955, 1956, 1957
Folder 15: Choirs --- 1957, 1958, 1959
Folder 16: Choirs --- 1959, 1960
Folder 17: Choirs --- 1960, 1961
Folder 18: Choirs --- 1961, 1962
Folder 19: Beethoven chorus for the 25th anniversary celebration --- 1962
Folder 20: Choirs --- 1962, 1963, 1964
Folder 21: Choirs --- 1964, 1965
Folder 22: Final A Cappella Choir of S. Swets --- 1965-1966