Collection 37-M

Clarence Mader Collection of Musical Manuscripts, Papers, Correspondence, and Documents

Clarence Victor Mader was born on Jan. 23, 1904 in Easton, PA; played organ and piano at an early age in St. Peter's Reformed Church, where his father was pastor; moved with his parents to Pasadena, CA in 1920; became organist at the Holliston Avenue Methodist Church while attending Pasadena High School; in 1926 studied with Lynnwood Farnam in New York City; in 1929, he began his 37-year service at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles; gave concerts throughout the US and became known as an exceptional teacher; composed songs, piano pieces, chamber works, and organ pieces, including the cantata, The fifth mystery (1969), Concerto for organ (1969), and Prologue, partita and fantasia for organ and orchestra (1970); died with his wife Ruth in an automobile accident on July 7, 1971.

Collection consists of manuscripts of compositions by Mader and other composers; manuscripts of unpublished poetry and verse; colored slides of art works by Clarence Mader and Ruth Mader; open reel tape recordings (non-commercial) of performances on organ by Clarence Mader and performances of his compositions by others; scrapbooks; correspondence; unpublished essays and lectures (handwritten and in typescript); printed programs; photographs; published and unpublished materials dealing with organs and organ design; published scores of music with annotations by Mader; and miscellaneous documents.

For additional information about this collection consult:

Catalog record
Finding aid

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