MMLLAA NEWSLETTER Snapshots from the New York Meeting Coverage begins on page three See photo captions on page 7. No. 124 March–April 2001 ISSN 0580-289-X President’s Report MUSIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS James P. Cassaro, MLA President schedule, filled with sessions both Officers University of Pittsburgh provocative and informative. Our JAMES P. CASSARO, President opening session, held in the sumptu- University of Pittsburgh “One…singular sensation…” ous Bartos Forum of The New York Not one, but many sensations Public Library, provided the stimulus PAULA MATTHEWS, Past President delighted us at our recent annual for the rest of the conference. For me, Princeton University meeting at New York’s Grand Hyatt Betty Corwin’s and Madeleine Nichols’ LAURA GAYLE GREEN, Hotel, February 21-25, 2001. Under the presentations, along with their accom- Executive Secretary / Treasurer superb direction of our Local Arrange- panying video clips, underscored why University of Missouri — Kansas City ments co-chairs, Jane Gottlieb and we do what we do, and why we are John Shepherd, this conference pro- so passionate about it. Our second Members-at-Large 2000-2002 vided an unending kaleidoscope of plenary session on various aspects of ALLIE GOUDY activities, intellectual stimulation, and music printing, skillfully chaired by Western Illinois University music. Convention Managers Don David Hunter, struck the appropriate LESLIE TROUTMAN Roberts and Gordon Rowley, with the scholarly tone. Of course, I know you University of Illinois assistance of Lenny Bertrand and the are all going to learn the “Petrucci PHILIP VANDERMEER staff of the Grand Hyatt, again proved Hoochie Coochie” (another of Don University of Maryland that are meetings are well-oiled Krummel’s wonderfully witty concoc- machines. Many thanks also go to our tions) in time for next year’s meeting hard-working and in Las Vegas. Our Members-at-Large 2001-2003 generous local other sessions, NEIL HUGHES arrangements both business and University of Georgia committee, whose I am continually open, too numer- ELISABETH REBMAN dedication to the amazed at the amount ous to mention Colorado College success of this individually, MICHAEL ROGAN meeting is unpar- of work that takes demonstrate the Tufts University alleled. In particu- breadth of our lar, heartfelt place at our meetings, interests and the thanks go out to and with the dedication of our Maureen Buja for members. I am Design by WGraphics, Baltimore. taking on registra- professionalism of continually amazed tion during a diffi- at the amount of MLA NEWSLETTER cult time for the our members. work that takes Linda Hartig, Editor Association and to place at our meet- Rigbie Turner for ings, and with the The Newsletter is published four times a year: September-October, November-December, providing the elegant space of the professionalism of our members who March-April, and May-June, by the Music Pierpont Morgan Library for our local annually present their work/research Library Association, c/o A-R Editions, Inc.; arrangements reception. Every time to us. 8551 Research Way, Suite 180; Middleton, WI 53562, and is issued to its members free of you use the recently published second This meeting also provided an charge. edition of The New Grove Dictionary opportunity for outreach to our sister The purpose of the Newsletter is to keep of Music and Musicians, savoring the and affiliate organizations. We were the membership of the Association abreast of crackling sound of those information- honored to welcome to our meeting events, ideas, and trends related to music librarianship. All communications and articles drenched pages, please give thanks to Jessie Ann Owens, President of the are welcome. Address correspondence to: our friends at Grove’s Dictionaries, American Musicological Society, and Inc., whose generosity subsidized the William Gordon, Executive Director of Linda Hartig Technical Services Librarian cost of this reception. Indeed, the the American Library Association. Carroll College Association would be hard-pressed to Their attendance is a visible sign that 100 N. East Avenue move forward in any manner if it were our outreach efforts under the aegis of Waukesha, WI 53186 not for the support of our corporate our Plan 2001 are working. We will [email protected] patrons and members. The symbiotic work toward strengthening our ties The deadline for submitting copy to the relationship between us, built over with these and other like organizations editor for issue number 125 (May-June many years, sustains us all, and makes in the coming year. On the topic of 2001) is 5 May 2001. our meetings the comfortable experi- Plan 2001, let me extend my gratitude Submissions are preferred via e-mail, but paper copy (double spaced) via USPS ence we hold so dear. and thanks to the Implementation accompanied by 3.5” disk containing text Program chair Michael Rogan sup- Task Force (David Farneth, chair, Jane files in Microsoft Word is acceptable. plied us with our usual rigorous continued on page four 2 M L A Newsletter • No. 124 Cover Story Plenary Session 1: Documenting the Present for the Future Therese Zoske Dickman, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville usan T. (Suki) Sommer (Chief, S Music Division) served as modera- tor for the opening plenary session held Thursday, February 22, 2001, at the Bartos Forum, Humanities and Social Sciences Library of the New York Public Library. She introduced the two featured speakers from the New York Public Library (NYPL): Betty L. Corwin, (former Director, Billy Rose Theatre Collection, Theatre on Film and Tape Archive), and Madeleine Nichols (Curator, Jerome Robbins Dance Division). The world-renowned Welcoming speakers (l-r): William Gordon, Executive Director of ALA; Paul Broadway producer and director Hal LeClerc, President of NYPL; Jacqueline Davis, Executive Director of the NYPL Prince, who was invited to speak for the Performing Arts; Joseph Polisi, President of the Julliard School. during the session, sent greetings from Los Angeles, California, where he had The Archive is part of the Billy works to locate treasures from the accepted an offer to produce three Rose Theatre Collection, which past. Productions are selected on the one-act plays. includes performance programs, play- basis of quality and historical impor- Betty L. Corwin was the first guest bills, and set, costume and lighting tance, ethnic and minority concerns, speaker. Ms. Corwin began her tenure designs. Notable examples mentioned and the representation of the work of at the NYPL more than 30 years ago were rare production clips of the important American playwrights. and recently retired. The panelist intro- famed musical theatre collaborators Sometimes “flops” are also docu- duced her successor, Patrick Hoffman, Rodgers and Hart, Tony Award mented, provided that the productions who will continue to docu- ceremony films, and the home have met established selection criteria. ment and preserve the- movies of George Gershwin Between the 25-member staff cited, all atre performances. As and Richard Rodgers. the New York City theatre productions one who “loves the The recording of live continued on page four theatre,” Ms. Corwin theatre performances was had had the inspira- met initially with union tion to create an resistance. Ms. Corwin Contents: archive of live theatre stated that it took 2 years performances. of negotiations with ten E-Mail Digest.................................8 Through her efforts, the unions to allow TOFT to Transitions ....................................9 Theatre on Film and film live performances. Members’ Publications ................10 Tape (TOFT) Archive was Today the New York Public Chapter Reports..........................11 established in 1969. It is dedi- Library remains the only institution Ask MLA......................................13 cated to preserving live performances in the United States allowed to do so. of Broadway, Off-Broadway and Thanks to Betty and her staff’s efforts, Roundtable Reports....................14 regional theatre productions. TOFT theatre performances from the 1970s, Committee Reports.....................16 contains more than 4400 titles, includ- ‘80s, ‘90s have been videotaped. Last Music Library News...............20-27 ing about 2500 live performances, 1700 year 68 productions were recorded, 17 Calendar......................................21 theatre-related television programs, and of which were musicals. 250 dialogues and interviews with In addition to videotaping live the- Please see page 23 for the list of photogra- notable theatre personalities. atre performances, the TOFT staff also phers who contributed to this issue. M L A Newsletter • No. 124 3 President’s Report Cover Story continued from page two worked with Bonna in many capacities continued from page three Gottlieb, Leslie Troutman, Diane Parr on the Board, I highly commend her are seen, reviews are gathered from Walker, and Dan Zager) who guided dedication and ceaseless efforts, and regional theatres and throughout the the Association through its goals and also her well thought out comments country, and reports are received initiatives. Their work, now ended, and insights. We owe her a debt of from out-of-town scouts. will have a far-reaching effect on us gratitude for keeping the Association According to Ms. Corwin, last year all, and will help guide the Association going during difficult times. She will materials in TOFT were viewed by into the 21st century. The concert at be missed! Congratulations