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 7: Miscellaneous Items Related to the Oratorio Society --- 1930-1968

Box 9

Folder 1: Tributes to Professor Swets by soloists and others on his 25th anniversary of conducting oratorios
Folder 2-3: Oratorio programs of other organizations
Folder 4: Financial reports re: oratorio society --- 1930-1957
Folder 5: Gifts of the society to the music department --- 1941-1966
Folder 6: Oratorio Scholarship and Tuition Awards --- 1949-1968
Folder 7: Press reviews of oratorio performances
Folder 8: "Handel's Messiah, a Hallowed Tradition," by S. Swets
Folder 9: Oratorion, edited by Fred Baker; plus other press copy --- 1945-1949
Folder 10: Contracts with soloists and agents --- 1933-1961
Folder 11: Business letters --- 1933-1952
Folder 13: Form letters sent to members and patrons
Folder 14: Intra-board letters --- 1933-1950