Clarence E. Sawhill Papers
Abstract
Clarence E. Sawhill (1906-1982) was a conductor, music educator, and clinician. He was Director of Bands at the University of California at Los Angeles from 1952-1972. Prior to this, he was Director of Bands at the University of Southern California, Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, and a high school band director in Urbana, Illinois and Lawrence, Kansas. Sawhill was elected to the American Bandmasters Association in 1948. The Clarence E. Sawhill Papers consists of personal and professional papers including correspondence, publications, programs, memorabilia, clippings, and articles related to Sawhill's extensive teaching career.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
There are no restricted files in this collection.
Clarence E. Sawhill 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
Clarence Edwin Sawhill was born November, 5 1906 on a farm near Holton, Kansas. Raised in a musical family, Sawhill took piano lessons from his aunts, and at the age of twelve, he started taking violin lessons with a local teacher. In high school, he took up baritone and trombone and played in the Holton Community Band. At Bethany College, Sawhill studied voice, played trombone and violin in the orchestra and baritone in the band, and helped form a student pep band to play at athletic events. After graduating in 1929, Sawhill began teaching instrumental music in Norton, Kansas.
In 1933, Sawhill became the Director of Bands and Orchestras at Liberty Memorial High School in Lawrence, Kansas. In 1937, Sawhill moved to Illinois where he became conductor of the Urbana, Illinois High School Band and Orchestra, as well as the Assistant Band Director at the University of Illinois, working under Director A. A. Harding. His duties at the university included assisting Harding with the marching band and concert band, and directing the Second Regimental Band. During his time in Illinois, Sawhill also joined the staff at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Michigan. He remained on the staff for ten years.
In 1947, Sawhill moved to California and became Director of Bands at the University of Southern California. A year later, he was elected to the American Bandmasters Association. He remained at USC until 1952, when he moved across town to serve as Directors of Bands the University of California at Los Angeles. In 1961, under his directorship, the UCLA Band was invited to perform for the American Independence Day Celebration at Ribald National Park, in Aalborg, Denmark. The European Tour lasted twenty-seven days and also included concerts in London, Paris, Vienna, Munich, and Copenhagen. Sawhill's final concert at UCLA was held on May 17, 1972. He remained active as a clinician until 1981. Clarence Sawhill died on February 26, 1982.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Clarence E. Sawhill Papers covers the period from 1933 to 1981; the bulk of the materials date from 1947 to 1975. The collection consists of both personal and professional papers including correspondence, publications, programs, memorabilia, clippings, and articles related to Sawhill's work as a music educator, band director, and clinician, primarily from his tenures at USC (1947-1952) and at UCLA (1952-1972). The collection includes some materials related to his work at the University of Illinois and in public schools in Kansas.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Gift of Kathleen Sawhill Port, Clarence Sawhill's daughter, received in three batches from July 1982 - September 1982.
Processing Information
David Travis, October 2010.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Cassandra N. Berman, February 2011.
Arrangement of Collection
This collection is organized into six series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence, 1947-1979 and undated (0.75 linear feet)
This series contains professional correspondence to and from Sawhill, mostly related to his time at UCLA. This series is organized chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correspondence, undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence (various), 1949-1966 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence, 1947 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Correspondence, 1948 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Correspondence, 1950 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Correspondence, 1952 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Correspondence, 1953 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Correspondence, 1954 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Correspondence, 1955 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Correspondence, 1956 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Correspondence, 1957 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Correspondence, 1958 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Correspondence, 1959 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Correspondence, 1960 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Correspondence, 1961 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Correspondence, 1962 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Correspondence, 1963 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Correspondence, 1964 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Correspondence, 1965 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence, 1966 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence, 1967 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Correspondence, 1968 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Correspondence, 1971 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Correspondence, 1974 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Correspondence, 1975 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Correspondence, 1976 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| Correspondence, 1977 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
| Correspondence, 1978 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 10 | |
| Correspondence, 1979 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 11 | |
Series 2: Publications, 1933-1980 and undated (1.25 linear feet)
This series consists of publications by and about Clarence Sawhill and the UCLA Band program, as well as other published materials collected by Sawhill. Included are brochures and bulletins from camps, clinics, and festivals featuring Sawhill or the UCLA Band, and newspaper clippings from Sawhill's career at the University of Illinois, USC, and UCLA.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "An Administrator's Guide to the Instrumental Music Program in the Public Schools" by Clarence Sawhill, undated | series 2 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| [Articles by Clarence Sawhill], 1937-1954 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| [Articles about Clarence Sawhill/UCLA Program], 1945-1977 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| [Articles about Clarence Sawhill/UCLA Program], 1950-1957 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| [Articles about Clarence Sawhill/UCLA Program], 1964-1973 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| [Method Books by Clarence Sawhill], 1962 and undated | series 2 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| [ABA Publications], 1980 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| [School and Camp Bulletins], 1957-1958 and undated | series 2 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| [UCLA Publications], 1957-1968 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| [USC Publications], circa 1968 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| [Guest Conducting/Clinic/Honors], 1957-1974 and undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| [Brochures for Camps, Clinics, Festivals, and Workshops], 1957-1973 and undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| [Collected Articles], 1933-1965 and undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| [Music], 1944 and undated | series 2 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
| [Band Music Lists], 1954-1956 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 7 | |
| [John Philip Souza Souvenir Magazine], 1928 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 8 | |
| Newspaper Clippings: Illinois, circa 1930s-1940s | series 2 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Newspaper Clippings: USC, circa 1940s-1950s | series 2 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Newspaper Clippings: UCLA, circa 1950s-1970s | series 2 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
| Newspaper Clippings: International Newspapers, 1961 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Newspaper Clippings: John Philip Sousa, 1931-1932 and undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
| Newspaper Clippings: Miscellaneous, 1959-1965 and undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
Series 3: Programs, 1936-1981 and undated (2.00 linear feet)
This series contains programs collected during Sawhill's music career. Concert programs cover concerts that Sawhill conducted; clinics or festivals in which he participated or adjudicated; and other assorted concerts. This series also contains programs from ABA and MENC conventions and USC and UCLA events. Programs are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs, undated | series 3 | box 6 | folder 1 | |
| Programs, 1936 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 2 | |
| Programs, 1937 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 3 | |
| Programs, 1943 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 4 | |
| Programs, 1944 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 5 | |
| Programs, 1947 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 6 | |
| Programs, 1948 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 7 | |
| Programs, 1949 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 8 | |
| Programs, 1950 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 9 | |
| Programs, 1952 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 10 | |
| Programs, 1953 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 11 | |
| Programs, 1954 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 12 | |
| Programs, 1955 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 13 | |
| Programs, 1956 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 14 | |
| Programs, 1957 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 15 | |
| Programs, 1958 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 16 | |
| Programs, 1959 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 17 | |
| Programs, 1960 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 18 | |
| Programs, 1961 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 19 | |
| Programs, 1962 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 20 | |
| Programs, 1963 | series 3 | box 6 | folder 21 | |
| Programs, 1964 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 1 | |
| Programs, 1965 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 2 | |
| Programs, 1966 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 3 | |
| Programs, 1967 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 4 | |
| Programs, 1968 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 5 | |
| Programs, 1969 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 6 | |
| Programs, 1970 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 7 | |
| Programs, 1971 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 8 | |
| Programs, 1972 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 9 | |
| Programs, 1973 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 10 | |
| Programs, 1974 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 11 | |
| Programs, 1975 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 12 | |
| Programs, 1976 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 13 | |
| Programs, 1977 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 14 | |
| Programs, 1978 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 1 | |
| Programs, 1979 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 2 | |
| Programs, 1981 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 3 | |
| Church Programs, 1948-1967 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 4 | |
| ABA Programs, 1957-1976 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 5 | |
| CBDNA Convention, 1964 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 6 | |
| MENC (and related) Convention Programs, 1948-1979 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 7 | |
| USC Presidential Inauguration, 1948 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 8 | |
| USC Commencement, 1947-1948 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 9 | |
| University of California Charter Day, 1963-1966 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 10 | |
| University of California Presidential Inauguration, 1968 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 11 | |
| UCLA Commencement, 1957-1972 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 12 | |
| Band Banquet Programs, 1963-1972 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 13 | |
| Interlochen Music Camp Programs, 1957-1966 and undated | series 3 | box 9 | folder 1 | |
| Programs from Guest Conducting/Adjudicating Appearances, 1958-1964 | series 3 | box 9 | folder 2 | |
| Programs from Guest Conducting/Adjudicating Appearances, 1959-1981 | series 3 | box 9 | folder 3 | |
| Other Programs, 1941-1967 | series 3 | box 9 | folder 4 | |
| Other Programs, 1957-1967 | series 3 | box 9 | folder 5 | |
Series 4: Professional Papers, 1961-1975 and undated (1.50 linear feet)
This series contains records primarily from Sawhill's time at USC and UCLA, including papers pertaining to the 1961 UCLA band tour of Europe, templates of UCLA marching band drills, and materials regarding a trip to Japan.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music Lists, 1943-1975 and undated | series 4 | box 10 | folder 1 | |
| UCLA Commencement Cue Books, 1964-1969 | series 4 | box 10 | folder 2 | |
| UCLA Band Manual, 1957 | series 4 | box 10 | folder 3 | |
| UCLA Brochures, 1961-1967 and undated | series 4 | box 10 | folder 4 | |
| Handwritten Notes, undated | series 4 | box 10 | folder 5 | |
| Invitations, 1957-1966 | series 4 | box 10 | folder 6 | |
| Festival Judging Materials, 1967-1968 and undated | series 4 | box 10 | folder 7 | |
| Event Calendars, 1965-1973 | series 4 | box 10 | folder 8 | |
| Football Materials, 1948-1967 | series 4 | box 10 | folder 9 | |
| Football Band, 1957-167 | series 4 | box 10 | folder 10 | |
| Seating Charts, undated | series 4 | box 10 | folder 11 | |
| Biographic Information, undated | series 4 | box 11 | folder 1 | |
| Teaching Materials, 1957 and undated | series 4 | box 11 | folder 2 | |
| Clinics/Camps, 1974-1975 | series 4 | box 11 | folder 3 | |
| Trojan Rally Band: A Proposal, 1946 | series 4 | box 11 | folder 4 | |
| ABA Reports, 1964-1965 | series 4 | box 11 | folder 5 | |
| Adjudication Notes, 1966 and undated | series 4 | box 11 | folder 6 | |
| Band Rosters, undated | series 4 | box 11 | folder 7 | |
| Itineraries, 1961-1965 and undated | series 4 | box 11 | folder 8 | |
| Posters (Note: Oversized posters are located in HH1-12.), 1962-1966 | series 4 | box 11 | folder 9 | |
| UCLA European Trip, undated | series 4 | box 11 | folder 10 | |
| European Tour Materials, circa 1961 | series 4 | box 11 | folder 11 | |
| Receipts Denmark, circa 1961 | series 4 | box 11 | folder 12 | |
| Schedules/Calendars, 1957-1965 and undated | series 4 | box 11 | folder 13 | |
| UCLA Marching Band Carbon Copies of Drill Templates, 1954 and undated | series 4 | box 11 | folder 14 | |
| Kansas Education Materials, circa 1930s | series 4 | box 11 | folder 15 | |
| Interlochen Materials, circa 1953 | series 4 | box 11 | folder 16 | |
| Education Resolution, 1959 | series 4 | box 11 | folder 17 | |
| Japan Travel Guide, 1965 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 1 | |
| Japan Trip Materials, 1964-1967 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 2 | |
| Japanese Concert Programs, 1965 and undated | series 4 | box 12 | folder 3 | |
| Music from Japan Trip, 1962-1963 and undated | series 4 | box 12 | folder 4 | |
| Japanese Publications, 1965 and undated | series 4 | box 12 | folder 5 | |
Series 5: Photographs, 1963 and undated (1 folder)
This series consists of photographs of people, ensembles, and facilities.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sawhill Photographs, 1963 and undated | series 5 | box 12 | folder 6 | |
Series 6: Personal Materials, 1948-1966 (0.50 linear feet)
This series contains postcards and memorabilia from Sawhill's travels, as well as a writing workbook from Sawhill's daughter, Kathleen.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postcards, undated | series 6 | box 13 | folder 1 | |
| Memorabilia, 1948-1966 and undated | series 6 | box 13 | folder 2 | |
| Kathleen Sawhill Writing Workbook, undated | series 6 | box 13 | folder 3 | |
| Non-Music Flyers, undated | series 6 | box 13 | folder 4 | |
| Menus, undated | series 6 | box 13 | folder 5 | |
| Travel Brochures, undated | series 6 | box 13 | folder 6 | |
| Unidentified Cultural Object, undated | series 6 | box 13 | folder 7 | |
Related Material
This collection is part of the American Bandmasters Association Research Center at the University of Maryland.
A biography of Clarence E. Sawhill is available online.
A copy of Symphony No.1 for Band in One Movement by Frank Erickson was originally included in these papers. It has been transferred to the ABA Score Collection, also housed in Special Collections in Performing Arts. Please contact the curator for assistance.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.