Colonel George S. Howard Papers
Abstract
Colonel George Sallade Howard (1902-1995) was known for his significant contributions to the Air Force Band Program. Director of the USAF Band program from 1944-1963, Colonel Howard took the USAF Band and Orchestra on ten international tours, promoting music as an international language. He founded several military music groups, including the Singing Sergeants, the Airmen of Note, the USAF Drum and Bugle Corp, the USAF Bagpipe Band, the WAF Band, and the Strolling Strings. In addition to Howards military accomplishments, he was a successful music educator, earning multiple degrees in music performance and education. Howard also served as a clinician and spokesperson for bands and band music throughout his life. A past president of the National Bandmasters Association and Chair of the John Phillip Sousa Memorial, Howard worked alongside and was closely acquainted with other prominent band directors and composers of the era, such as Patrick Conway, Ernest Williams, Percy Grainger, and Edwin and Richard Franko Goldman. The Colonel George S. Howard Papers covers the period from 1920 to 1994; the bulk of the materials date from 1935 to 1965. The collection consists of both personal and professional papers including published and unpublished writings, correspondence, addresses, programs, reports, memorabilia, clippings, and articles- related to Howards work as a band director of the United States Air Force Band, including his work with Ernest Williams and the Williams School of Music and Summer Camp, with Pat Conway as a student and member of Conways professional band, a teacher at Mansfield State Teachers College, Penn State, and the Mooseheart School (IL), and as a leading clinician for bands throughout his career.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
There are no restricted files in this collection.
Colonel George S. Howard Papers, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Contact the curator for an appointment: http://www.lib.umd.edu/scpa/contact
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
Colonel George Sallade Howard (1902-1995) served as director of United States Air Force Band from 1944-1965. He began his career in music as a clarinetist in Pat Conways professional touring band (1922-1929). While earning multiple degrees in music performance and education, Howard taught music at the Mooseheart School in Mooseheart, Illinois (1929-1935), and the Ernest Williams School of Music and Summer Camp (summers between 1931 and 1937), Mansfield State Teachers College, PA (1936-1939), and Pennsylvania State College (1939-1942) before joining the Army Air Forces in 1942 (became the Air Force in 1947). Under Howards direction, the Air Force Band program grew to be a reputable force in music in the military; in addition to national concert tours, the group went on multiple overseas tours to Europe, Africa, and the Far East while Howard was director. After his retirement in 1963, Howard became director of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police band, a post he held for 10 years, and he continued his work as an active clinician for several high school and college bands. He and his wife, Sadako Howard, retired to San Antonio, Texas in 1978, where Howard remained until his death in 1995.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Colonel George S. Howard Papers covers the period from 1920 to 1994; the bulk of the materials date from 1935 to 1965. The collection consists of both personal and professional papers including published and unpublished writings, correspondence, addresses, programs, reports, memorabilia, clippings, and articles- related to Howards work as a band director of the United States Air Force Band, including his work with Ernest Williams and the Williams School of Music and Summer Camp, with Pat Conway as a student and member of Conways professional band, a teacher at Mansfield State Teachers College, Penn State, and the Mooseheart School (IL), and as a leading clinician for bands throughout his career.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Gift of Colonel George Sallade Howard, received in five shipments in 1980, 1983, 1990, and 1994.
Processing Information
Processed by Elizabeth Yackley, September 2008
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Nicole Horstman, November 2012.
Arrangement of Collection
This collection is organized into thirteen series.
- Series 1: Correspondence
- Series 2: Educational Career
- Series 3: Programs
- Series 4: United States Air Force Band
- Series 5: Star-Spangled Banner
- Series 6: Sousa Memorial
- Series 7: Howard Trial
- Series 8: Writings, Articles
- Series 9: Photographs
- Series 10: Recordings
- Series 11: Sheet Music
- Series 12: Memorabilia
- Series 13: Military Scrapbooks
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence, 1920-1981 (2 folders)
This series contains personal letters to Howard from various individuals throughout his life including Pat Conway, Henry Fillmore, Richard Franko Goldman, Percy Grainger, and Erik Leidzen. There are also letters from Howard to select individuals. Materials are arranged alphabetically by correspondents last name, then chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard Correspondence by last name, B-W, undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence by Howard, 1972-1980 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
Series 2: Educational Career, 1923-1994 (0.50 linear feet)
This series contains materials related to Howards non-military educational career, beginning with his schooling, first at Ithaca Conservatory and as a clarinetist in Pat Conways professional band (see Series I, Correspondence, for letters to Howard from Pat Conway), Ohio Wesleyan University, and Pennsylvania State College. This series also contains materials related to Howards teaching career at the Mooseheart School (IL), Ernest Williams School of Music and summer camp (NY), Mansfield, PA State Teachers College, Penn State, as a guest clinician, and as director of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Band. There are also materials related to the numerous awards and accolades Howard received throughout his career, such as holding the post of president of the National Bandmasters Association. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Conway Band and School of Music, Ithaca Conservatory, 1924-1993 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Ohio Wesleyan University, 1927-1988 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Mooseheart School Band Position, 1926, 1929-1934 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Williams Correspondence with Howard, 1932-1937 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Williams School and Camp, 1931-1944, 1948 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Musical Instrument Promotional Work, 1932-1939 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Mansfield State Teachers College, 1938-1940 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Pennsylvania State College, 1938-1942 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| National Youth Administration, 1941 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Howard as Clinician, 1940-1988 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| American Youth Band, 1964 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Metropolitan Police Band, 1963-1974 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| National Bandmasters Association, 1970-1976 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Awards, Honors, Miscellaneous Certificates, 1962-1994 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
Series 3: Programs, 1936-1961 (1 folder)
This series contains programs collected by Howard over his musical career. The materials are not related to Howards military career. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs, 1923-1961 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
Series 4: United States Air Force Band, 1941-1987 (2.25 linear feet)
This series contains materials related to Howards career as the director of the United States Air Force Band from 1944 to 1963. It has been divided into four subseries.
Subseries 4.1: Military Correspondence, 1941-1982 (0.75 linear feet)
This subseries contains correspondence collected by Howard from individuals related to the military and letters written by Howard. These materials are organized chronologically. It also contains military letters collected in a binder, which remains in original order.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army Specialist Corp Correspondence, 1941-1943 | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Military Correspondence to Howard, 1943-1982 | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| Copy of Military Correspondence Binder Contents (in original order), 1951-1954 | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
| Military Correspondence Binder Contents (in original order), 1951-1954 | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 10 | |
| Binder Contents- Related Military Correspondence (in original order), 1955 | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 11 | |
| Military Correspondence by Howard, 1947 | series 4.1 | box 2 | folder 12 | |
Subseries 4.2: Military Writings, 1941-1959 (3 folders)
This subseries contains military memos related to the music program, Howard, and the US Air Force Band Program, 1941-1959, and published military documents, 1943-1964. This includes an incomplete collection of Armed Services Song Folios, January 1957 to September 1962. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Memos related to Music Program, US Air Force Band, 1941-1949 | series 4.2 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Military Memos related to Music Program, US Air Force Band, 1952-1959 | series 4.2 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| US Air Force Publications, 1943-1961 | series 4.2 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
Subseries 4.3: USAF Tours, 1945-1959 (0.50 linear feet)
This subseries contains materials (programs, correspondence, clippings, writings) related to the national and international tours Howard and the USAF Band took while Howard was Director. Materials relating to the tours of Great Britain (1945), Europe (1951, 1953, 1954), Iceland (1953), the Far East (1956, 1957), South and Central America (1959) are included. Correspondence and further materials related to the attempted sabotage of the 1954 USAF Band European tour are also included. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour of Great Britain, 1944-1945 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Tour of Europe, 1951 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Tour of Iceland, February, 1953 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| Tour of Europe, 1953 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| Tour of Europe, 1954 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Correspondence Attempting to Sabotage European Tour, 1954 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 9 | |
| Tour of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, 1955 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 10 | |
| Tour of Far East, 1956 | series 4.3 | box 3 | folder 11 | |
| Tour of Far East (Hong Kong, Okinawa, Korea), 1957 | series 4.3 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| Tour of Central and South America, 1959 | series 4.3 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| Undated Tour Documents, undated | series 4.3 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
Subseries 4.4: USAF Band Articles, Programs, Clippings, 1945-1987 (0.25 linear feet)
This subseries contains articles, programs, and clippings about the USAF Band, which are unrelated to other categories in Series IV. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles on US Air Force Band, Howard, 1945-1956 | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| Articles on US Air Force Band, Howard, 1957-1987 | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
| US Air Force Band Programs (not related to other programs in collection), 1947-1960 | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 7 | |
| US Air Force Band News Clippings, 1942-1956 | series 4.4 | box 4 | folder 8 | |
Series 5: Star-Spangled Banner, 1942-1987 (1 folder)
This series contains information regarding the establishment of the official version of the United States national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner. The materials include clippings, articles, and congressional hearings related to this process. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Spangled Banner, 1942-1987 | series 5 | box 4 | folder 9 | |
Series 6: Sousa Memorial, 1964-1987 (4 folders)
This series contains materials related to the establishment of the John Phillip Sousa Memorial.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sousa Memorial Correspondence, 1965-1972 | series 6 | box 4 | folder 10 | |
| Sousa Memorial Articles, Clippings, 1964-1987 | series 6 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Sousa Memorial Related Programs, Speeches, Reports, 1971-1972 | series 6 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Sousa Memorial Stage Dedication Ceremony Photographs, 1971-1972 | series 6 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
Series 7: Howard Trial, 1964-1966 (3 folders)
This series contains material related to the indictment and trial of Colonel Howard in 1965.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Correspondence, 1964-1965 | series 7 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Lawyer Correspondence, 1965-1966 | series 7 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
| Trial Documents, Press Clippings, 1965 | series 7 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
Series 8: Writings, Articles, 1934-1988 (2 folders)
This series contains articles, and writings by Howard and other prominent band directors of the mid-twentieth century. This series is divided into two subseries.
Subseries 8.1: Published Writings, 1934-1988 (1 folder)
This subseries contains published articles by or about Howard and other prominent band directors of which Howard was acquainted. The articles are published in periodicals such as The Bandmaster, The Instrumentalist, Music Publishers Journal, Music Journal, and others. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Published Writings, 1934-1988 | series 8.1 | box 5 | folder 7 | |
Subseries 8.2: Unpublished Writings, 1948-1954 (1 folder)
This subseries contains unpublished writings, such as speech drafts, by Colonel Howard. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unpublished Writings, 1948-1954 | series 8.2 | box 5 | folder 8 | |
Series 9: Photographs, 1934-1988 (3 folders)
This series contains personal and military photographs collected by Howard. This series has been divided into two subseries.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Military Photographs, undated | series 9 | box 5 | folder 9 | |
| Military Photographs, undated | series 9 | box 5 | folder 10 | |
| More Military Photographs, undated | series 9 | box 5 | folder 11 | |
Series 10: Recordings, 1956-1960 (1 folder)
This series contains three recordings of groups conducted by Colonel Howard, in addition to seventy-three 6x12 V discs, now part of B-363-436 of the ABA record Collection. One recording, 45 rpm, is a selection of pieces performed by the Air Force Band on their Tour to the Far East, 1956-1957. The second recording, dated 1960, 331/3 rpm, includes the National Dance of Afghanistan, Milli Attan, arranged and conducted by Colonel Howard (ensemble unknown). One undated recording is also included.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAF Band Tour Recordings, 1956-circa 1960 | series 10 | box 6 | folder 1 | |
Series 11: Sheet Music, circa 1920, 1944-1967 (2 folders)
This series contains sheet music acquired by Howard throughout his music career. It also contains music composed by Howard, three band part books for clarinet and E-Flat clarinet, and a snare drum rudiments teachers manual produced by Artco during Howard tenure as Educational Director. Materials are arranged by date of publication.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-Flat and E-Flat Clarinet Music Part Books, circa 1920 | series 11 | box 6 | folder 2 | |
| Sheet Music, 1944-1967 and undated | series 11 | box 6 | folder 3 | |
Series 12: Memorabilia, 1921-1958 (1 folder)
This series contains miscellaneous materials Howard collected over the course of his lifetime. Materials range from high school commencement programs and yearbooks, a mortgage deed slip, to a copy of Howards personal letterhead, a park brochure from a Japan, and a membership card for the Armed Air Forces Band Fan Club.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorabilia, 1921-1958 | series 12 | box 6 | folder 4 | |
Series 13: Military Scrapbooks, 1947-1956 (2.00 linear feet)
This series is composed of military scrapbooks (Boxes 7 through 9) containing press clippings of the Air Force Band concerts, national and international tours (July 1947-April 1948, May- November 1948, San Antonio 1949, Colorado 1949, Europe 1950, August 1950- April 1951, Europe, Africa, Near East 1954, South Korea 1956), and a scrapbook of clipping related to the Air Force Hour Radio Show, 1948-1949. Box 10 contains two copies of the 1965 Howard Trial Record and a copy of A.M.R. Barrets 1957 Oboe Method Book. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [oversize] US Air Force Band National Concert Tour Scrapbook, July 1947-April 1948, US Air Force Band National Concert Tour Scrapbook, May - November 1948, 1947-1948 | series 13 | box 7 | folder 1 | |
| [oversize] Radio Publicity for Air Force Hour Scrapbook, 1948-1949, Southwestern Tour Scrapbook, April 1949, Colorado Tour Scrapbook, June 1949, Second European Tour Scrapbook, 1950, 1948-1950 | series 13 | box 8 | folder 1 | |
| [oversize] Concert Tour Scrapbook, August 1950-April 1951, Europe, North Africa, Near East Tour Scrapbook, 1954, South Korea Tour Scrapbook, 1956, 1950-1956 | series 13 | box 9 | folder 1 | |
| [oversize] Two copies of Howard Trial Record (Series VIII), Oboe Method Book (Series XI), undated | series 13 | box 10 | folder 1 | |
Related Material
This collection is part of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) Research Center.
Howards autobiography, Symphony in the Sky (1991), is held in the Lowens Special Collections Room of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library, call number: ML422.H6 A3 1992.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.