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Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0000 UMI HUGO FOX: A BIOGRAPHY OF A PROMINENT AMERICAN BASSOONIST DOCUMENT Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Musical Arts in the Graduate School of The O hio State University By Karen M. Crews, B.Mus., M. Mas. The O hio State University 2001 Document Committee: Approved by Professor Christopher Weait, Adviser Professor Russel Mikkelson ___ Adviser Professor Arved Ashby School of Music UMI Number 3011012 Copyright 2001 by Crews, Karen Mercedes All rights reserved. UMI UMI Microform 3011012 Copyright 2001 by Beil & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Copyright Karen M. Crews 2001 ABSTRACT Hugo Fox (1897-1969) is most widely known as the founder of the Fox Products Corporation, which is now one of the world’s most successful manufacturesr of student and professional bassoons. However, Hugo Fox had a long and highly successful career as a performer and teacher before he decided to design and manufacture ba.ssoons for a living. He was one of the first American-bom bassoonists to hold a chair in one of America’s leading orchestras, and did so for 27 years. Fox was the principal bassoonist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1922 to 1949. Prior to his appointment to the Chicago Symphony, he served in WWI at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station with J. Walter Guetter, his former teacher and the principal bassoon of the Chicago Symphony from 1915 to 1921. Fox taught bassoon at Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois for 14 years while he was performing with the Orchestra. One of his students at Northwestern, Wilbur Simpson, followed in his teacher’s footsteps and played the bassoon in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1946 to 1991. Information was found largely at the Rosenthal Archives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, from his son Alan Fox, and from telephone interviews with several of Fox’s former students from Northwestern University and private students from South Whitley, Indiana. Biographical information on the students interviewed and mentioned ii was found in publications of the International Double Reed Society (both on-line and in journals), from oral histories catalogued in the Rosenthal Archives, and telephone interviews. The biography of Hugo Fox includes a personal history as told by his wife. May Fox and his son, Alan Fox. Fox’s development as a musician, his experiences as the principal bassoonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, his career as a teacher at Northwestern University, and the conception of the Fox Products Corporation are covered in as much detail as existing records and living testimonies allow. m Dedicated to my family IV ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A most heartfelt, sincere thanks to my adviser, Christopher Weait and his wife Padge, for their unfailing support and confidence in my abilities while writing this document and during my entire tenure at The Ohio State University. Their support has been solid and unwavering, and I am blessed with their love and friendship. Many thanks to the other members of my committee: Dr. Russel Mikkelson, who encouraged my development as a musician through his ensembles. Dr. Arved Ashby, who exposed to me (although he may not know it) a true interest and fascination with music history; and Dr. Graeme Boone, who has been a constant supporter of my activities at Ohio State. I also wish to thank Dr. Don Gibson and Dr. David Butler, who have never hesitated to help me in any way possible with any problems 1 have put before them. This project would have not been possible without the constant support of Mr. Alan Fox of the Fox Products Corporation. His willingness to be completely honest about his fathers history was invaluable, and his financial support allowed me to travel to Chicago to conduct research firsthand. Many thanks to the Graduate Studies in Music Committee (Dr. Patricia Flowers, chair) for their consideration in awarding me financial assistance to help offset travel and telephone costs. I wish to warmly thank Andrea Cawelti, Alison Hinderliter, Frank Villella and Brenda Nelson-Strauss at the Rosenthal Archives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for giving me an entire week of their undivided and unconditional assistance. I wish to also thank Patricia Balon of the Pabst Theatre in Milwaulkee, the researchers at the Chicago Historical Society, the Newberry Library and the Northwestern University Archives for their help. Heartfelt thanks go out to all of the wonderful people I had the opportunity to interview; each person lent a unique perspective to the memory of Hugo Fox and I am grateful for their time and willingness to share their stories with me. Thanks to the entire bassoon studio at The Ohio State University for their incredible support and patience this entire year. Thanks also to Bryan Shaw, who did some footwork for me in St. Louis, and to Libby McDaniel, who never hesitated to offer Bryan’s help when she couldn’t do so herself. Kate Kasson and Carolyn Fitton were constant sources of encouragement and enthusiasm. Most of all, thanks to my family who has supported my decision to be a musician from the day of my first bassoon lesson. My soon-to-be-husband, Shawn Gregg, has been outstanding in his patience and encouragement; he gently persuaded me to work on this document when he knew I was discouraged and shared my enthusiasm as 1 worked toward the finished product. VI VTTA July 30, 1974 ................................................. Bom - Greeley, Colorado 1997 ................................................................ B.M. The University of Northern Colorado 1997 to 1999 ................................................ Graduate Teaching Assistant The Ohio State University 1999 .............................................................M.M. The Ohio State University 1999 to present.......................................... Substitute, auxiliary bassoon Columbus Symphony Orchestra 1999 to 2000 ................................................ Graduate Administrative Assistant The Ohio State University 2000 to present............................................Graduate Teaching Assistant The Ohio State University FIELDS OF STUDY Major Held: Music Studies in: Bassoon: Christopher Weait Woodwind Literature: Christopher Weait Woodwind Pedagogy: Christopher Weait Musicology: Charles Atkinson Music Theory: David Butler vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... ii Dedication................................................................................................................................iv Acknowledgments ......................................................... v Vita............................................................................................................................................vii List of Tables .............................................................................................................................x List of Figures............................................................................................................................xi Chaptere: 1- Introduction............................................................................................................................1 2. Hugo Fox’s Personal History ................................................................................................. 4 3. Hugo Fox’s Early Eüstory as a Bassoonist..................................................................... 8 4. Hugo Fox in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.............................................................13 5. Hugo Fox Leaves the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.....................................................20 6. Hugo Fox at Northwestern University .................................................................................34 7. Hugo Fox — Testimonials from his Students .......................................................................38