Allen L. Richardson Papers, 1937-2006
Collection Number: CA-50002
Collection Size: 2.10 cubic feet
The Allen L. Richardson papers are open to all users and available in the reading room of the SUNY Potsdam College Archives & Special Collections. The collection is currently minimally processed, and divided into two series (1. Personal Papers, 2. Music).
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply. Questions concerning rights should be addressed to the College Archivist.
Allen Lyndon Richardson was born in Potsdam, New York on May 3, 1920. He graduated from Potsdam High School in 1937 and received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the State Normal School at Potsdam in 1941. Following graduation he briefly worked for Perry Public Schools in New York as Director of Instrumental Music. He served in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) from 1942 to 1946.
In 1947 he received his Master of Science degree from Syracuse University. Following graduation he worked as an editor first for the Boston Music Company and then for the Willis Music Company. He was an associate professor at the State University College at Potsdam from 1953-1959, and returned to teach as a professor in 1966. He continued to teach at Potsdam until about 1981. He served on the boards of both the Alumni Association and Crane Alumni Association while at Potsdam, and was recipient of the Minerva Achievement Award in 1965.
Richardson authored several books, including method books and other music books. He co-authored a two volume series with Mary E. English called “Living with Music”. He also composed and arranged music for choral groups, piano, and other instruments, and had many pieces of music published. Allen Richardson died at the age of 85 on February 20, 2006.
Series consists of biographical information, articles, correspondence, photographs, speeches and writings by Richardson, and several diplomas. There is also a class ring from the Potsdam Normal School. These documents cover a wide range of dates, from 1937 to 2004, and outline various points of Allen L. Richardson’s professional life.
This series comprises the bulk of this collection, and consists primarily of written music. Many of the pieces are undated, but the majority of the dated pieces are from the 1950s or 1990s. The series includes published scores and sheet music, as well as handwritten and typed drafts of pieces which were either written or arranged by Allen L. Richardson. Some contain parts for several instruments or voices. Several pieces of music were published under one of two pseudonyms used by Allen L. Richardson: Bea Woode or Lyn Sanford. Several of these folders also contain other documents including but not limited to correspondence and performance programs.
Additional music materials include published music books and a cassette tape. There are several books for instruction on the recorder, choral books, and a children’s book. In addition there are two volumes authored in collaboration with Mary E. English.
| Box | Folder | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Biographical Information, | 1969 |
| 2 | Articles, | 1953-2006 | |
| 3 | Correspondence, | 1981-1996 | |
| 4 | Speeches, | 1972 | |
| 5 | Writings and Presentations, | 1972, 1975 | |
| 6 | Photographs, | undated, 2004 | |
| 7 | High School Diploma, | 1937 | |
| 8 | Potsdam Diplomas and Awards, | 1941, 1988 | |
| 9 | Miscellaneous Items, | 1949-1978 | |
| 4 | Class Ring, Potsdam Normal School, | undated |
| Box | Folder | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Living With Music, Vol. 1, | 1956 |
| 2 | Living With Music, Vol. 2, | 1958 | |
| 3 | Harmonic Method for Recorders: “C” Book, | 1955 | |
| 4 | Harmonic Method for Recorders: “F” Book, | 1955 | |
| 5 | Harmonic Method for Recorders: Combined Book, | 1955 | |
| 6 | Patterns in Song, | 1956 | |
| 2 | 7 | Sing We Now of Christmas, | undated |
| 8 | Tooters, Tweeter, Strings and Beaters, | 1964 | |
| 9 | Tooters, Tweeter, Strings and Beaters, | 1953 | |
| 10 | Pastische Cassette Tape, | undated |
| Box | Folder | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | Adagio: The Swan Violin - Alto Sax, | undated |
| 2 | Allmand, | undated | |
| 3 | Alto Recorder Originals, | 2001 | |
| 4 | America, the Beautiful, | undated | |
| 5 | An Old-Fashioned Christmas, | undated | |
| 6 | Aquarelle, | 1953 | |
| 7 | Bach Invention IX, | undated | |
| 8 | Ballad for the Little Jesu, | undated | |
| 9 | Be With Me: Anniversary Song, | 1993 | |
| 4 | 2 | Big Note Pieces, | 1950 |
| 3 | 10 | Bless the Lord, O my Soul, | 1952 |
| 11 | Blowing in the Wind, | undated | |
| 12 | Blues in Retrospect, | 1972, 1993 | |
| 13 | Blue Skies, | undated | |
| 14 | Bright and Cheery Christmas, | 1964 | |
| 15 | Canzon, | undated | |
| 16 | Casper, Melchior, and Balthazar, | undated | |
| 17 | Christ Was Born of Mary Free, | undated | |
| 18 | Clair de Lune, | undated | |
| 19 | Come Back to Sorrento, | 1952 | |
| 20 | Dark Water, | 1952 | |
| 21 | The Entertainer, | undated | |
| 22 | Friddle Frolic: A Collection of Fiddle Tunes, | undated | |
| 23 | Flippety Doodle, | undated | |
| 24 | General Grant's Grand March, | 1950 | |
| 25 | A Gnome from Nome, | 1950 | |
| 26 | God Bless America, | undated | |
| 27 | Golliwog's Cakewalk, | undated | |
| 28 | Hallelujah Chorus, | undated | |
| 29 | Hearts and Flowers, | 1950 | |
| 30 | He is Risen, | 1991 | |
| 31 | Hong Kong Chopsticks, | 1993 | |
| 32 | Hosanna to Our King, | 1983 | |
| 33 | How Do I Love Thee, | 1952 | |
| 4 | 1 | I Left My Heart in San Francisco, | undated |
| 3 | 34 | Kentucky Babe, | 1955 |
| 3 | 35 | Kind and Gentle Star, | undated |
| 36 | Let Your Will Be Done, | undated | |
| 37 | Little Donkey, | 1988 | |
| 38 | The Little Shepherd, | undated | |
| 4 | 3 | Mass in Honor of Saint Mary, | 1982 |
| 3 | 39 | Medley of Stars of the Summer Night and Blue Skies, | undated |
| 40 | Memory, | undated | |
| 41 | Miscellaneous Written Music, | undated, 1992, 1993 | |
| 42 | Mother At Your Feet is Kneeling, | 1952 | |
| 43 | Musetta's Waltz, | 1953 | |
| 44 | Narcissus, | 1950 | |
| 45 | The Nightingale Has A Lyre of Gold, | 1952 | |
| 46 | Now let every tongue adore Thee, | 1952 | |
| 47 | Ode to Christmas, | undated | |
| 48 | On Top of Old Smokey, | 1951 | |
| 49 | Open the Gates of the Temple, | 1950 | |
| 50 | Open the Gates of the Temple, | 1952 | |
| 51 | The Palms, | 1952 | |
| 52 | Panis Angelicus, | 1951 | |
| 53 | Pastiche, Folder 1, | 1994 | |
| 54 | Pastiche, Folder 2, | undated | |
| 55 | Pastiche, Folder 3, | 1994 | |
| 56 | Pastiche, Folder 4, | 1993 | |
| 57 | Pennies from Heaven, | undated | |
| 58 | People Look East, | undated | |
| 59 | The Perfect Gift, | 1992 | |
| 60 | Potpourri, | undated | |
| 61 | Praise to the Holliest, | 1993 | |
| 62 | Preamble to the Constitution, | 1950 | |
| 63 | Psalm of Life, | 1989 | |
| 64 | Ring, Silver Bells, | 1991 | |
| 65 | The Rosary, | 1955 | |
| 66 | Santa's Song, | 1959 | |
| 67 | Serve the Lord, | 1998 | |
| 4 | 4 | Shenandoah, | undated |
| 3 | 68 | Silver Bells, | undated |
| 4 | 5 | A Somerset Carol, | 1952, 1993 |
| 3 | 69 | Song for Easter, | undated |
| 70 | A Song of Love, | 1993 | |
| 71 | The Statue of Liberty, | undated | |
| 72 | The Stranger of Galilee, | 1950 | |
| 73 | A Summer Friend, | 1993 | |
| 74 | Tamale Joe, | 1996 | |
| 3 | 75 | Till There Was You, | undated |
| 76 | Tomfoolery, | 1992 | |
| 77 | Tooters, Tweeters, Strings and Beaters, | 1973 | |
| 78 | Two Scottish Tunes, | 1950 | |
| 79 | Until the Real Thing Comes Along, | undated | |
| 80 | Walk Hand In Hand, | undated | |
| 81 | Whispering Hope, | 1954 | |
| 82 | Why Do the Bells of Christmas Ring?, | undated |
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