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 6: Oratorios --- 1938-1966

Box 8

Folder 1: Messiah

Item 1: 40th --- 1959
Item 2: 41st --- 1960

Folder 2: Messiah

Item 1: 42nd --- 1961
Item 2: 43rd --- 1962

Folder 3: Messiah

Item 1: 44th --- 1963
Item 2: 45th --- 1964

Folder 4: Messiah

Item 1: 46th --- 1965
Item 2: 47th (last one for Swets) --- 1966

Folder 5: Elijah: First one --- 1938

Folder 6: Elijah

Item 1: 2nd --- 1939
Item 2: 3rd --- 1940
Item 3: 4th --- 1941

Folder 7: Elijah

Item 1: 5th --- 1942
Item 2: 6th --- 1943

Folder 8: Elijah

Item 1: 7th --- 1944
Item 2: 8th --- 1945
Item 3: 9th --- 1946
Item 4: 10th --- 1947

Folder 9: Elijah

Item 1: 11th --- 1948
Item 2: 12th --- 1949
Item 3: 13th --- 1950
Item 4: 14th --- 1951

Folder 10: Elijah

Item 1: 15th --- 1952
Item 2: 16th --- 1956

Folder 11: Elijah

Item 1: 17th --- 1960
Item 2: 18th --- 1963
Item 3: 19th --- 1967

Folder 12: Elijah promotion and dramatization

Folder 13: Creation: First one --- 1953

Folder 14: Creation

Item 1: 2nd-1954
Item 2: 3rd-1957

Folder 15: Creation

Item 1: 4th-1961
Item 2: 5th-1965

Folder 16: St. Matthew's Passion: first program --- 1955

Folder 17: St. Matthew's Passion: 2nd --- 1958

Folder 18: St. Matthew's Passion: 3rd --- 1962

Folder 19: Solomon --- 1959

Folder 20: St. Paul: first program --- 1964

Folder 21: St. Paul: 2nd (Swets' final) --- 1966