Collection ID:
Ead Download EAD

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Onondaga Community College
Abstract:
The Donald B. Miller collection contains material donated to the Onondaga Community College archives by OCC music professor Dr. Donald B. Miller. It includes music written by Donald Miller, materials from his years as a music professor at Onondaga Community College, and his research material on composer Kirke Mechem, the subject of his doctoral dissertation.
Extent:
6 linear feet
Language:
English

Background

Scope and Content:

The collection comprises archival materials relating to the musical career of Donald B. Miller. The main categories of the collection include: Guitar Ensemble Series, Onondaga Community College Choral European Tour, "Here Rests in Honored Glory" material, "Finger Lakes Suite" material, "Christopher the Christmas Tree" material, 14 other original scores by Donald Miller, and his material on Kirke Mechem, used to write his PhD thesis. Each series is organized into narrower subseries and then arranged chronologically.

Series 1: Guitar Ensemble Series - This series includes material relating to guitar instruction books written by Donald B. Miller and published by Mel Bay. Materials include the music, and related materials pertaining to the publication, performance and use of the series. Date coverage 2000-2011.

Series 2: Onondaga Community College Choral European Tour - This series contains the information relating to a college tour lead by Donald Miller to the Netherlands. It includes publicity, photographs, correspondence and awards related to the trip. Date coverage 1973.

Series 3: "Here Rests in Honored Glory" - This series contains information on the hymn that Donald Miller wrote to honor those who have served in the military. This material includes the musical scores, honors, publicity, performance information, and recordings of the hymn. Dates coverage 1984-2019.

Series 4: "Finger Lakes Suite" - This archives includes the development of this suite of music, performance information, publicity, musical scores and recordings. Dates coverage 1965-1992.

Series 5: "Christopher the Christmas Tree" - This series includes information on the book and accompanied music that comprises "Christopher the Christmas Tree" project. It includes the musical score, the book drafts, the publicity and publishing information. Date coverage 1988-2000.

Series 6-18, 21: Other Original Works by Donald B. Miller - Fourteen other original works are included in this series, and include the musical scores written by Donald B. Miller. Date coverage 1985-2009, undated.

Series 19: PhD Materials on Kirke Mechem - This archives includes articles, music, interviews, newspaper clippings, recordings, and correspondence about composer Kirke Mechem, who's music was the subject of Donald B. Millers PhD dissertation. Date coverage 1968-1983.

Series 20: Miscellaneous - Miscellaneous material about the life and work of Donald B. Miller, including newspaper clippings, articles and recordings by and about Dr. Miller. Date coverage 1959-1983.

Biographical / Historical:

Dr. Donald B. Miller was a music professor at Onondaga Community College from 1971 to 1998, and worked part time at the college until 2000. Dr. Miller composed and arranged many works of music, which have been and continue to be performed around the world. Among the many compositions, the hymn "Here Rests in Honored Glory" and "Finger Lakes Suite" are two of his well known works. Dr. Miller received his PhD in 1981 at the University of Southern California, where he wrote his dissertation on the composer Kirke Mechem.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open to researchers without restriction.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Written permission from the Onondaga Community College Archives and all copyright holders must be obtained before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any material in this collection.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
4585 West Seneca Turnpike
Syracuse, NY 13215, United States
Link to repository site
CONTACT: