The Archives of Traditional Music

Heather Sloan (right), ATM’s new Outreach and Public Services Archivist, is pictured with Liz Czach (left), Associate Professor in the Department of English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta.

Professor Czach is the first official researcher to visit ATM’s new reading room space for this soon to start academic year!

She is here reviewing select documents from the “Laura Boulton Collection” for an article and conference paper she is writing on the films Boulton made in Canada during the 1940s with the National Film Board.

Boulton also often used these films and clips from them in her presentations on various lecture circuits.

ATM's new reading room is located on the Music Library’s 2nd Floor and much of its collections are now stored just off campus in the state-of-the-art secure and climate-controlled Ruth Lilly Auxiliary Library Facility (ALF).

Congratulations to our soon to be former ATM Library Assistant Tarren Sexton, who was recently hired as a Music Librarian for Interlochen Center for the Arts near Traverse City, Michigan! 🎉 Tarren graduated this past spring with his M.L.S. degree and has stayed on with us over the summer to help the ATM with its continued relocation efforts. While we will miss him terribly, we are so excited for him as he embarks on a new career journey. Well done, Tarren! Wishing you all the best! ☺️

It’s ! 🎉 To honor today's global celebration of all things IU, the Archives of Traditional Music (ATM) is using the opportunity to promote the current Indiana University Archives crowdfunding campaign. They are trying to raise $10,000 to digitize select issues of the Indiana Daily Student (IDS). Student newspapers are historically significant not only because they document campus events and occurrences, but also because they show the value and impact of student voices both past and present. To support this project and participate in IU’s day of giving, visit: https://give.myiu.org/crowdfunding/I320016600-CF.html

The crowdfunding page to help us digitize ten years of the Indiana Daily Student - idsnews is now live and we have a TERRIFIC start! What's more, we have a generous anonymous donor who will give us $3,000 to keep moving forward if we meet our $10,000 goal - that's some incentive!! https://give.myiu.org/crowdfunding/I320016600-CF.html

More sad news... the Archives of Traditional Music (ATM) is sorry to hear of the passing of IU alumna Dr. Caroline Card Wendt. Some field recordings related to her study of the Tuareg people (inhabitants of vast areas the Sahara whose settlements span several different African countries) and their music as well as other materials associated with her scholarly work and activities are held in the ATM collections ( https://bit.ly/ATM_CarolineCardWendt ). Our sincerest condolences to her family and friends.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of alumna Dr. Caroline Card Wendt, who received her Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1982 with a dissertation on Tuareg music and social identity.

Caroline was born on February 29, 1928, and died on March 14, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana at the age of 96 years. While she began her career as a violinist, she later moved to the field of ethnomusicology. She finished her master’s degree at Hunter College in New York City before transferring to Indiana University where she completed the Ph.D. in 1982. As stated in her obituary, “Ever fascinated by the far-away, Caroline chose to study the music of the nomadic Tuareg tribe in the Sahara, becoming the first American to do so.”

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 20 at 1 pm at Westminster Village North, 11050 Presbyterian Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46236.

Full obituary here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/indianapolis-in/caroline-wendt-11717139

The Archives of Traditional Music (ATM) is deeply saddened to hear news of the passing of IU alumnus Dr. Robert “Bob” Klymasz. ATM houses several collections that he deposited that are related to his study of the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada and beyond ( https://bit.ly/ATM_RobertKlymasz ). Ukrainian immigrants and their descendants have made a significant impact on the development of western Canada since the late 1800s. Canada has the world's third-largest Ukrainian population behind Ukraine itself and Russia.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of alumnus Dr. Robert “Bob” Klymasz, who received his Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1971 with a dissertation on Ukrainian folklore in Canada.

Dr. Klymasz was a Ukrainian-Canadian folklorist and a renowned expert on Ukrainian Canadian folklore. For most of his life, he was the Curator of the Slavic and East European Program at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now the Canadian History Museum) in Ottawa. Always an academic, his research focused on the ethnocultural life of Ukrainians in Canada specifically on the Canadian Prairies in the 1960s - 1970s of which he has written, published and lectured extensively.

He earned his B.A. at the University of Toronto in 1957, his M.A. at the University of Manitoba in 1960, and his Ph.D. in Folklore at Indiana University Bloomington in 1971.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to the Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church 1001 Grant Ave. Wpg. MB, R3M 1Y3 or to a charity of your choice.

In celebration of National Women’s History Month, we’re sharing a recent article from “Smithsonian Magazine” that features ATM’s holdings and amplifies how the individual actions and memories of two women can have a lasting impact our understanding the past, present, and future.

How the Memory of a Song Reunited Two Women Separated by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade In 1990, scholars found a Sierra Leonean woman who remembered a nearly identical version of a tune passed down by a Georgia woman’s enslaved ancestors

Exciting news!

Have you heard? We received a grant from The Library of Congress to work with artists to reimagine photographs in our Wannamaker Collection. We can't wait to start working with The Archives of Traditional Music and artists, Debra Yepa-Pappan ART, Molina Two Bulls, and Yatika Starr Fields, on this project!

Check out the full news release here: https://libraries.indiana.edu/library-congress-announces-grant-funds

IU Libraries

Check out our newest blog post by former ATM Library Assistant and IU Folklore & Ethnomusicology PhD Candidate Adriane Pontecorvo on the Vrabely Collection, which includes musical recordings played on the WJOB (Hammond, Indiana) Hungarian Hour during the 1950-60s.

Hungary on Hoosier Airwaves: Echoes of Diasporic Community in Reverend Stephen J. Vrabely’s Radio Music Archives By Adriane Pontecorvo In early 2022, Alan Burdette, former Director of the Archives of Traditional Music (ATM), drove four and a half hours from Bloomington into Kendall County, Illinois, to pick up a donation of around 1400 well-kept shellac, lacquer, and vinyl discs. A gift from the family of Reve...

Congratulations to soon to be former ATM Library Assistant Wayne Hastings, who was recently hired to take on the position of Project Archivist for the Donald N. Heirman Papers at Purdue University Libraries and Special Collections!🎉Wayne graduated this past December with his M.L.S. degree and has stayed on these past few weeks to help ATM with its relocation efforts. While we will miss him terribly, we are so excited for him and this next new phase in his career. Way to go, Wayne! Wishing you all the best!🙂

This includes the Archives of Traditional Music, which is now located in the William and Gayle Cook Music Library. Warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year!🎉

Winter break is in full swing and libraries on campus are observing shorter hours (some are closed). And all IU Libraries on the Bloomington campus will be closed from December 24 through January 1. We wish you all happy holidays and a relaxing break! In the comments on this post you will find some information about library services during the break.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOAGY CARMICHAEL!!! (1899-1981)
The image posted here is an animation cel or negative featuring caricature of Hoagy Carmichael from the first episode entitled “The Great Songwriters” of “The Flintstones” original series’ second season, which aired on September 16, 1961. Before “The Simpsons,” “The Flintstones” was the most financially successful and longest running network animated television series. The program first aired in 1960 and ran for three decades. Like “The Simpsons,” the show often featured popular guest stars of the day. Of course, Hoagy Carmichael was one such celebrity. This Bloomington native and IU alum had a long and enduring career (as a musician, composer, and actor) throughout a greater part of the 20th century. Learn more about his life and impact as an entertainer by visiting the Archives of Traditional Music’s Collections Highlights page for its Hoagy Carmichael Collection found at: https://libraries.indiana.edu/carmichael

Congratulations to ATM Library Assistants Tarren Sexton and Sarah Carter for Tarren's presentation and Sarah's poster at the Midwest Music Library Association meeting last week! Tarren presented on his cataloging project with the William and Gayle Cook Music Library technical services team, and Sarah gave a poster session on using and promoting primary sources as inspiration for composers. You both did such a great job! 🎉

You may have heard about Ken Burn's new PBS documentary series "The American Buffalo," which uses archival sources featuring anthropologist and naturalist George Bird Grinnell. Did you know the ATM holds cylinder recordings made by Grinnell in 1897-1898?

Grinnell made recordings with the Piegan Blackfoot community in Montana in 1897 (catalog record: https://iucat.iu.edu/catalog/1395020) and with the Northern Cheyenne community in Lame Deer, Montana in 1897-1898 (catalog record: https://iucat.iu.edu/catalog/1395308).

The ATM also holds many other audiovisual collections representing First Nations and Tribes across the United States and North America, including the various communities featured in Burns' documentary series. Contact us to learn more about collections held at the ATM!

Please note: While the collections recorded by Grinnell (catalog records linked above), and many others, are digitized and in our online streaming platform, ATM policy requires appropriate Tribal permission before access to any Indigenous cultural material can be provided. Thank you for your understanding.

To learn more about the PBS documentary series, visit https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-buffalo/about-the-film

About the Film | The American Buffalo | Ken Burns | PBS The American Buffalo is the biography of an improbable, shaggy beast that has found itself at the center of many of the country’s most mythic and heartbreaking tales.

Free Concert Tonight - Tuesday 10/10 at 8pm in Auer Hall!🎶

ATM Graduate Assistant and Ethnomusicology PhD student Caio De Souza is to perform with Regional Samauma.

Sponsored by the Latin American Music Center - LAMC, the event is free and open to the public.

Auer Hall is located on the second floor of the Simon Music Center (200 S. Eagleson Avenue on the IUB Campus).

Tomorrow! Ethnomusicology PhD student Caio de Souza will be performing with Regional Samauma.

Tuesday, October 10
8p
Auer Hall

Sponsored by the Latin American Music Center - LAMC

Again, table for IU First Nations is set up in the Eskenazi Museum of Art for tonight's First Thursday event...

A little sukëlan (rain) won’t spoil our fun… today’s First Thursday event is moving indoors with activities at Wells Library and IU Auditorium from 5-8pm. Look forward to seeing you soon!

Reminder IU First Thursday Event – October 5th…

It’s your chance to learn a new language and win! The First Nations Educational and Cultural Center with a little help from the ATM is hosting a “scavenger hunt” using words from a cassette of Lenape language lessons, which is found in the ATM's collections: https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/2j62sv11q

Join in the fun and win! ATM is collaborating with the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center at this month’s First Thursday on October 5th (that's tomorrow!) The Language Contest aka “scavenger hunt” uses words from a cassette of Lenape language lessons, which is found in the ATM's collections: https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/2j62sv11q

The new window cling design and ATM's name are now up by our front door. The new ATM Reading Room (Music Library 260A) is coming together!

Congratulations, Suyash!

Suyash has been a Graduate Assistant and Library Assistant at the ATM during his time as a IU Folklore & Ethnomusicology student, and we are so proud of all he's accomplishing in his field!

Library Assistants Tarren Sexton (left) and Damien Thomas (right) diligently pack and prepare ATM collections for their eventual move to Indiana University’s state-of-the-art Ruth Lilly Auxiliary Library Facility (aka “the ALF”) which provides an optimal environment for the storage and preservation of a wide variety of university resources and treasures.

Some news about the Archives of Traditional Music (ATM) and its big move this coming fall to the William and Gayle Cook Music Library ...

(Please be reminded that the ATM is still CLOSED to the public at this time. Consequently, delays in staff response to inquiries are to be expected. Prospective donors and depositors are asked to please hold their items until after the ATM’s move is completed. For more details, contact (812) 855-4679 or [email protected].)

Access Update: Archives of Traditional Music IU Libraries is the proud home of the Archives of Traditional Music (ATM) and the William and Gayle Cook Music Library.Beginning in Fall 2023, visitors to the ATM will experience a freshly renovated Research and Reading Room on the second floor of the Cook Music Library, located inside the Simon Mus...

Former ATM Graduate Assistants Ross, Amelia, and Suyash were able to go with members of IU Folklore & Ethnomusicology faculty for an ethnomusicology summer workshop in Switzerland! We're sure they had a blast, and can't wait to hear more about it when they visit us next! ✈️🌍🎶

Michelle is always a delight to work with! Congrats is much deserved!

Congratulations to Department Manager Michelle Melhouse on 15 years of service at Indiana University! She has spent her entire career in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology, beginning at the front desk in 2007.

About her time in the department Melhouse says, "I absolutely love the environment in my department. The students, faculty, and my fellow staff are amazing and I learn new things from them daily!"

IU College of Arts and Sciences

The Archives of Traditional Music is saddened to mark the passing of Verlon Stone, a long-time collaborator with ATM collections, which included those that he and his wife, Ruth Stone, created during ethnomusicological fieldwork in Liberia and that of the many Liberian AV collections he shepherded into ATM. Verlon was a frequent presence at ATM during the early years of the Liberian Collections Project when ATM was the temporary storage site of several pallets of government and historical documents that Verlon helped save from destruction during the most intense periods of the Liberian civil war. Verlon's dedication to preserving Liberia's cultural history and his unflagging devotion to the long-term preservation of and access to those materials has been an inspiration to us all.

Photo: Verlon Stone prepares a recording setup on a rainy day in Totota, Liberia, 1976. A young girl protects the Nagra III recorder from the rain with her umbrella while Verlon arranges the cables that feed his monitor headphone and microphone on a bamboo pole boom.

https://www.allencares.com/obituaries/Verlon-Stone/ #!/Obituary

Welcome to IUMAA and IU, Brandie Macdonald!

We're very happy to welcome Brandie Macdonald, IUMAA's new Executive Director, on her first day at the museum. We're excited to have her step into the position, and look forward to working with her. Learn more about Brandie's past work in a talk she presented to the British Columbia Museums Association on "Pausing to Decolonize: Decolonizing Museum Policy and Practice" at https://museum.bc.ca/brain/pausing-to-decolonize-decolonizing-museum-policy-and-practice/

📢The Archives of Traditional Music will be closed to the public until Fall 2023 as we relocate from Morrison Hall to a new space in the William and Gayle Cook Music Library. During this time, staff response to inquiries will be delayed. Additionally, we ask prospective donors and depositors to please hold items until after the move is completed. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or 812-855-4679.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and appreciate your patience.
IU Libraries

In case you missed our recent Tweet, ATM got a special “shout out” from Dr. Beth Wilson, a British Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of History at the University of Reading (UK), who was on the IUB campus last month to do repository research as an IU Institute for Advanced Study visiting scholar.

See link below for more details…

Into the Archives: Listening to the Voice in the Archive, by Dr Beth Wilson Picture of the Archives of Traditional Music at Indiana University Bloomington.Image from: In April 2023, I travelled to Indiana University Bloomington to spend two weeks in the archives. I was fun…

Last week we had a wonderful end to the ATM Noon Concert and Lecture Series in the Hoagy Carmichael room with the presentation and performance by Grey Larsen and Cindy Kallet about Monroe and Brown County fiddler, Joe Dawson (1928 - 2012).