Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

06/09/2026

For those band and orchestra conductors who may have studied score preparation with Paul Vermel or have heard wonderful stories about Paul's work as a conducting teacher, we have finished the processing of his extensive collection of study scores. They are all here ready for folks of all music abilities to use. So stop on by for a short visit or spend an entire day working with these jewels of the conductor's world.

Paul Vermel Music and Papers Now Available for Research Posted on June 3, 2026 by Scott Schwartz The Center has completed the archival processing of the Paul Vermel music and papers, documenting his career as an orchestral conductor between the 1950s and 2013. His carefully annotated scores and rese...

05/18/2026

If you're a band director, do you recognize these medals? Herbert Clarke, shown here wearing some of his medals (including one photographed—see if you can match it!) acquired many medals in his collection through conducting, judging, and directing at competitions and other events. The medal hanging from red velvet, for instance, was the judge's medal from the National High School Band Championship.

These medals help us track Clarke's professional activities and organizational memberships, and they're also a great way to look into the history of bands in the 20th century.

05/11/2026

The Herbert L Clarke Music and Personal Papers (circa 1880-1945) includes some of the most memorable "presentation" objects in our collections, like Clarke's pocket cornet, made by Henry Diston, which he won in a contest. Clarke was the solo cornet player for the John Philip Sousa Band and later, became the assistant conductor, composer and arranger.

Today we'd like to share with you another gem from the Clarke Music and Personal Papers, a pocket watch. This watch was given to Clarke by the crew of the U.S.S. Alabama in September, 1902. The front of the case has the U.S.S. Alabama engraved on it, and the back has Clarke's initials. Items like this watch not only give us information about Clarke's career and activities, but also provide material evidence for how he and his musicianship was perceived by others during this career.

If you're interested in learning more about Clarke, check out our finding aid for this collection: https://archon.library.illinois.edu/archives/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=4252

05/04/2026

Sousa Archives new exhibit opens today. A side of John Philip Sousa that few people know about. Check it out.

New Exhibit, “One the Road Again: Sousa’s Letters Home,” Opens Today. Posted on May 4, 2026 by Scott Schwartz Great Lakes Naval Band Recruitment Photograph, 1917. Sousa’s influence on late 19th– and early 20th-century music is well known, but very little is known about his relationship wit...

04/28/2026

This banjo-mandolin, owned (and likely made!) by A.J. Shute, is a recent acquisition to our collections. Alfred James Schute was a University of Illinois student who graduated in 1927 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. The banjo-mandolin has an inked drawing of the university logo, as well as the year 1926. The headstock has a hand-carved decorative border, along with his initials. This instrument provides a wonderful insight into student music-making at the University of Illinois during the 1920s. Take a look at the details featured in this selection of photos, or make an appointment to come see it in person!

04/27/2026

Great to have the Rantoul Eagle Band students here this morning! We always enjoy showing off some collection highlights and helping musicians explore the archives. If you'd like to visit and schedule a tour, email us through our website!

04/20/2026

Curious about the film screening we're hosting this weekend for International Jazz Day? You can learn more about it through the film's site here. Give it a look and then check out our event page to let us know you plan on coming to this great event!

ABOUT About the Film The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit chronicles the defining impact of Detroit’s innovative and influential jazz legacy and the iconic city that produced it. Inspired by Mark Stryker’s 2019 book, Jazz from Detroit, the 90-minute documentary weaves a compelling historical ...

04/16/2026

We're looking forward to this great event! Put it in your calendar—April 26th!

Stop by for a screening of The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit, followed by a conversation with the filmmakers and a live afterglow performance at the Rose Bowl Tavern! 🎶🎻

For more information: https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/events/event.php?ID=2718

03/31/2026

According to the Japan House at the University of Illinois's "sakura watch," their beautiful cherry trees are almost in full bloom! While you're visiting and enjoying the flowers, we invite you to remember Professor Shozo Sato, whose work as an artist in residence for the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts was instrumental in bringing Japan House to the University of Illinois.

The Sousa Archives is honored to hold his papers, which include photographs and other records documenting the first and current Japan Houses. You can learn more about this collection here: https://archon.library.illinois.edu/archives/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=10749

Photograph of the Original Japan House, ca. 1970.

02/12/2026

It was wonderful to have the Pontiac Township High School Symphonic Band visit last week! Students had the opportunity to see and try some of the instruments in our collections. As an archive, our goal is not only to preserve these instruments, but to provide appropriate access to them for educational programming and research.