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Roberta Bitgood papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-010

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

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.

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

Contact:
Connecticut College
270 Mohegan Ave
New London CT 06320 United States
860-439-2654
860-439-2686