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 5: Music Conferences and Programs --- 1926-1968

Box 7

Folder 1: 5th Church Music Conference --- 1960

Folder 2: 6th Church Music Conference --- 1962

Folder 3: 7th Church Music Conference --- 1968

Folder 4: Veteran organists

Folder 5: Central Avenue CRC Holland Conference on Church Music --- 1966

Folder 6: History and Constitution of the Oratorio Society

Folder 7: Messiah (8th is missing)

Item 1: 7th --- 1926
Item 2: 9th --- 1928
Item 3: 10th --- 1929
Item 4: 11th --- 1930

Folder 8: Messiah

Item 1: 12th --- 1931
Item 2: 13th --- 1932
Item 3: 14th (1st in Civic Auditorium) --- 1933

Folder 9: Messiah

Item 1: 15th --- 1934
Item 2: 16th --- 1935
Item 3: 17th --- 1936

Folder 10: Messiah

Item 1: 18th --- 1937
Item 2: 19th --- 1938
Item 3: 20th --- 1939

Folder 11: Messiah

Item 1: 21st --- 1940
Item 2: 22nd --- 1941
Item 3: 23rd --- 1942

Folder 12: Messiah

Item 1: 24th --- 1943
Item 2: 25th --- 1944

Folder 13: Messiah

Item 1: 26th --- 1945
Item 2: 27th --- 1946
Item 3: 28th (Swets' 25th) --- 1947

Folder 14: Messiah

Item 1: 29th --- 1948
Item 2: 30th --- 1949

Folder 15: Messiah

Item 1: 31st --- 1950
Item 2: 32nd --- 1951
Item 3: 33rd --- 1952

Folder 16: Messiah

Item 1: 34th --- 1953
Item 2: 35th --- 1954

Folder 17: Messiah

Item 1: 36th --- 1955
Item 2: 37th --- 1956

Folder 18: Messiah

Item 1: 38th --- 1957
Item 2: 39th --- 1958