MMLLAA NEWSLETTER A 75th Anniversary Meeting in Memphis Inside: President’s Report . 2 Calendar . .17 Chapter Reports . 22 Annual Meeting . 3 Transitions . 18 Announcements . 24 Committee Reports . 16 Roundtable Reports . 19 Beyond MLA . 26 No. 144 March–April 2006 ISSN 0580-289-X Chapter Reports President’s Report MUSIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bonna Boettcher, MLA President was spon- Officers sored by the BONNA J. BOETTCHER, President Women and Bowling Green State University th hat a wonderful 75 an- Music Roundtable, the American PHILIP VANDERMEER, niversary meeting! Those Music Roundtable, and the Joint Vice President/President Elect University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill who were able to attend Committee on the MLA Archives. W NANCY NUZZO, our recent meeting in Memphis en- Both plenaries were videotaped for Treasurer/Executive Secretary joyed warm, southern hospitality and the archives. The final plenary ses- State University of New York, Buffalo a chance to reflect on the history of sion, moderated by Brian Doherty KAREN LITTLE, Recording Secretary our association while looking toward and focusing on collection develop- University of Louisville the future. We owe a great deal to ment, included Jim Cassaro, Michael Members-at-Large 2005–2007 the Local Arrangements Committee, Fling, Dan Zager, and Daniel Boom- LINDA W. BLAIR chaired by Anna Neal, to Laurel hower. This session was sponsored Eastman School of Music Whisler, for coordinating fundraising by the Resource Sharing and Collec- PAUL CAUTHEN efforts, to Roberta Chodacki Ford, for tion Development Committee. University of Cincinnati chairing the Ad hoc Committee on In addition to the plenary ses- AMANDA MAPLE Penn State University MLA’s 75th Anniversary, and to the sion, there were many other excel- entire Southeast Chapter for lent sessions. Watch for re- Members-at-Large 2006–2008 DAVID GILBERT their support of all aspects A chance to ports in this and future University of California, Los Angeles of the meeting. newsletters. And, thanks to reflect on the REBECCA LITTMAN We received a warm history of MLA Lois Kuyper-Rushing and University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee welcome to Memphis from while looking the program committee for JEAN MORROW Judy Drescher, Director of to the future their work in establishing New England Conservatory of Music the Memphis Public Library new processes and assem- and from Sylverna Ford, bling an excellent program! Dean of Libraries at the University of Many in attendance spent Friday Typeset by A-R Editions, Middleton, WI. Memphis. Both are active profession- evening at the Cannon Center, home MLA NEWSLETTER ally and understand the importance of the Memphis Symphony Stephen Mantz, Editor of association meetings. In addition Orchestra. In addition to the pre- The Newsletter is published four times a year: September–October, November–December, March– to these dignitaries, we were joined miere of Augusta Read Thomas’s April, and May–June, by the Music Library Association, by Gordon Flagg, a reporter for “Shakin’,” we enjoyed a concert of c/o A-R Editions, Inc.; 8551 Research Way, Suite 180; Middleton, WI 53562, and is issued to its members American Libraries. I spoke with pieces influenced by rock music. free of charge. Gordon during and after the meet- Other composers featured included The purpose of the Newsletter is to keep the membership of the Association abreast of events, ing; he had a great time and felt wel- Michael Daugherty, David Kechley, ideas, and trends related to music librarianship. All come wherever he went. Watch fu- Daniel Roumain, Frank Zappa, and communications and articles are welcome. Address ture issues of American Libraries for Christopher Rouse. correspondence to: comments about our meeting. The meeting was enhanced by Stephen Mantz The Thursday, Friday, and Satur- the appearance of MLA’s Big Band, Music Librarian day morning plenary sessions were which, along with the “Lost Chicken Davidson College P.O. Box 7200 excellent. We began with several Ramblers,” assisted in several “Small, Davidson, NC 28035 perspectives on MLA and music li- Flashy Events.” The events, or SFEs [email protected] brarianship. Sponsored by the Oral as they were dubbed by their coordi- The deadline for submitting copy to the editor for History Subcommittee and Joint nator, Neil Hughes, added a special issue number 145 (May–June 2006) is April 14, 2006. Committee on the MLA Archives, and touch to the meeting. In addition to Submissions in Microsoft Word sent via email attach- ment are preferred, but paper copy (double spaced) hosted by Jane Penner and Therese playing tunes from the year 1931, the via USPS accompanied by 3.5Љ disk is acceptable. Dickman, the opening panel in- highlight of the SFEs was the Blues cluded Dena Epstein, Joe Boonin, Lyric Contest, with winning songs Amanda Maple, and Michael Duffy. performed during Saturday evening’s Friday morning’s session, featuring cocktail hour. Don Roberts interviewing composer A number of new committee and On the cover: The Memphis Symphony Orchestra performing the world premiere Augusta Read Thomas and Memphis subcommittee chairs were appointed of the MLA/MSO commission, Augusta Symphony conductor David Loebel, continued on next page Read Thomas’ “SHAKIN’.” 2 M L A Newsletter • No. 144 President’s Report continued from previous page in contact with ALA to work toward position. Brad will work closely with prior to the meeting, with their terms a revised edition of A Basic Music Nancy Nuzzo during the coming year beginning at the close of the meet- Library. Daniel has been appointed to effect a smooth transition. The ing. They include Ruthann McTyre, editor of the publication and will ACM Search Committee, chaired by Development Committee; Gregg continue to work with ALA. Watch Ned Quist, recommended and the Geary, Library School Liaison Sub- for updates in future issues of the Board approved appointing Paula committee; Alan Karass, Outreach MLA Newsletter. The Board also ap- Hickner to that position. Paula will Committee; Linda Blotner, co-chair, proved two new working groups, begin working with outgoing con- Publications Committee; Gerry the Working Group on Archival vention manager, Annie Thompson, Ostrove, Archives Joint Committee; Music Materials and the Working and with convention manager, Gerry Szymanski, Information Group on Digital Sound and Scores. Gordon Rowley, soon. Many thanks Sharing Subcommittee; Jim Alberts, Membership and charges for these to Annie for four excellent years of MARC Formats Subcommittee; Beth groups are being developed; again, service to the association! Finally, the Flood, Subject Access Subcommittee; watch for updates. The Board also Advertising Manager Search Com- Sheri Stormes, Personnel Subcom- has asked the Resource Sharing and mittee, chaired by Jim Cassaro, rec- mittee; Matthew Wise; Nominations Collection Development Committee ommended and the Board approved Committee; Scott Landvatter, co- to lead a discussion on additional appointing Wendy Sistrunk to that coordinator, World Music Round- music titles for JSTOR. position. Wendy will begin working table; Laura Moody and Zoe Rath, Three search committees were with the staff at A-R Editions soon. co-coordinators, American Music active during the fall as we searched Our thanks go to Susan Dearborn for Roundtable; and Sarah Canino, co- for a new Treasurer/Executive Secre- more than sixteen years of service in coordinator of the Small Academic tary, a new Assistant Convention this position. Libraries Roundtable. Manager, and a New Advertising Our association is well placed to The annual meeting also is the Manager. The T/Ex Search Com- remember and honor our past, to en- time when we say goodbye to sev- mittee, chaired by Paula Matthews, gage fully with our present, and to eral Board members. Pam Bristah, recommended and the Board ap- move with energy and determination Fiscal Officer, Ruthann McTyre, proved appointing Brad Short to that into our future. Happy Anniversary! Reports Gatherer, Matthew Wise, Parliamentarian, Michael Colby, Recording Secretary, and Laura Dankner, Past President, all ended their terms at the close of the Memphis meeting. All have served the association with passion, thoughtfulness, and humor, and all deserve our thanks. Joining the Board are David Gilbert, Assistant Fiscal Officer, Jean Morrow, Assistant Reports Gatherer, Rebecca Littman, Assistant Parliamentarian, Karen Little, Recording Secretary, and Phil Vandermeer, Vice President/ President-Elect. Our awards were announced at the business meeting. Congratu- lations to the recipients! (See “Announcements” for full details.) The Board accepted the final re- port of the Task Force on Resources for Music Libraries, chaired by Daniel Boomhower. As Daniel reported in Outgoing Board members Michael Colby, Pam Bristah, Laura Dankner, the Saturday plenary session, MLA is Ruthann McTyre, and Matthew Wise. M L A Newsletter • No. 144 3 Annual Meeting Plenary 1: “MLA’ers: Past, Present and Into Our Future” Sponsored by the Joint Committee for the MLA Archives and its Oral History Subcommittee Panelists: • Dena Epstein (Univ. of Chicago 1964–1986): MLA pioneer, former MLA President • Joseph Boonin (NYPL Recorded Sound Division): 50-year MLA’er, recent retiree • Amanda Maple (Penn. St. Univ. 1986– ): mid-career librarian, accomplished research record • Michael Duffy (N. Ill. Univ. 2002– ): early-career librarian Panelists Reflect on MLA and Music Librarianship Scott Phinney years, and after a visit to the Uni- from library school, he felt wel- University of South Carolina versity of Chicago in 1964 she was comed by the profession and was offered a job there, where she re- promptly introduced to everyone at MLA 2006’s first plenary session mained until her retirement in 1986. the meeting. The meetings in those began with an introduction by the Joseph Boonin responded by days were on a smaller scale than chair of the MLA Archives Commit- saying, “The profession sucked me those of today: they generally had tee, Jane Edmister Penner and the in.” While a college sophomore at between 30 and 35 people and were chair of the Oral History Subcom- the University of Pennsylvania in held on college campuses.