Roberta Bitgood papers
About the collection
The collection consists of scrapbooks, correspondence, records, documents, ephemera, and manuscripts of the American organist and composer Roberta Bitgood.
Dates
- Creation: 1908 - 2000
Creator
- Bitgood, Roberta, 1908-2007 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection open for research.
Biographical / Historical
Dr. Roberta Bitgood (1908–2007) was an American organist, choirmaster, composer, and music educator. Bitgood was born in New London, Connecticut and attended the Connecticut College for Women. She continued her studies at the Guilmant Organ School in New York City. She was the first woman to serve as president of the American Guild of Organists in 1975. She received a master's degree in music education from the Teacher's College at Columbia University in 1932, and a master's and doctoral degree in sacred music from Union Theological Seminary in 1935. She was the first woman to recieve a doctorate in sacred music. She played organ around the country including New Jersey, New York, California, and Michigan. She retired in 1976 returning to Connnecticut where she continued to play in churches and synagogues until her death in 2007.
Extent
9.32 Linear Feet (This collection contains 13 containers: 2 cartons, 2 legal document cases, and 9 oversize document cases.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Correspondence, records, documents, ephemera, scrapbooks and manuscripts of the American organist and composer Roberta Bitgood.
Arrangement
This series is arranged into seven series: Series I. Correspondence and documents, 1920-1993; Series II. Programs, Bulletins, and Published Materials,1925-2000; Series III: Published Music, 1954-1966; Series IV: Manuscript Music,1944- 1979; Series V: Composition Sketchbooks, 1947, Series VI: Music By Other Composers, undated; and Series VII: Scrapbooks,1908-1955.
Subject
- Bitgood, Roberta, 1908-2007 (Person)
- American Guild of Organists (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Roberta Bitgood papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Unknown. Migrated into ArchivesSpace by Javian Astacio and Rose Oliveira
- Date
- c.2009
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives Repository
Connecticut College
270 Mohegan Ave
New London CT 06320 United States
860-439-2654
860-439-2686
learcenter@conncoll.edu