Houghton, James Russell, 1897-1981 | Theology Library Archives

Collection Overview

Title: Houghton, James Russell, 1897-1981

ID: 03/021

Extent: 26.0 Boxes

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection contains papers from the various activities during Dr. Houghton's life, primarily 1931-1964. Included are: Minutes of the Joint Hymnal Commission (1931-1934) with resource materials; Preliminary report of the Commission on Rituals and Orders of Worship (1944); Minutes of the Commission on Worship and the Arts (1955-56) and later Commission on Worship (1956-1960), including some correspondence; Minutes, correspondence and other resource materials from the Commission on Worship and Hymnal Committee (1960-64), with a collection of general Methodist resource materials. From Boston University, the collection includes: Programs and Handbills for the University Chorus and Glee Clubs (1936-1964); Seminary Singers programs and tour records (1936-1964); and other scattered music, programs, correspondence (mostly from 1937-38); Sermons from Dr. Stidger's radio program (1937-39) annotated with hymns presented, plus correspondence and fan letters to the New England Singers. Memorabilia and scrapbooks, mostly from the Glee Club and Seminary Singers.

Collection Historical Note

Born April 11, 1899 in Davenport, Iowa, he came to Boston University in 1927 as Instructor in Worship and Church Music, rising to Assistant Professor in 1929 and Professor of Church Music and Worship in 1937 following his graduation from Simpson College with the Mus.D. degree.

Prof." led the Seminary Singers and founded the Boston University Glee Club, served as Director of Music for the General Conferences of the Methodist Church (1939-1960), as well as serving on the Hymnal Committees (1935, 1964) and Worship Committees (1944, 1964). He created the New England Singers, which provided music for Dr. William L. Stidger's radio sermon program sponsored by Fleischmann's Yeast (1937-39). Dr. Houghton retired to California, where he died on May 2, 1990, at the age of 91.

Information from: http://socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu/ark:/99166/w6qz2nsx

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: 1905-1962],
[Box 2: 1933-1963],
[Box 3: 1927-1981],
[Box 4: 1932-1973],
[Box 5: 1937-1939],
[Box 6: 1911-1948],
[Box 7: 1925-1960],
[Box 8: 1898-1939],
[Box 9: 1941-1962],
[Box 10: 1949-1962],
[Box 11: 1939-1981],
[Box 12],
[Box 13],
[Box 14],
[Box 15: 1933-1981],
[Box 16: 1925-1944],
[Box 17: 1922-1981],
[Box 18: 1931-1985],
[Box 19: 1911-1945],
[Box 20: 1939-1968],
[Box 21: 1897-1979],
[Box 22: 1918-1980],
[Box 23: 1922-1981],
[Box 24: 1950-1977],
[Box 25: 1938-1952],
[Box 26],
[Box 27: Glee Club, Notes, Student notes, Programs, Correspondence],
[All]

Box 21: 1897-1979

Miscellaneous writings, resources, student papers, and BU choral material (some duplicates)

Folder 1: Writings - The Theology of Charles Wesley's Hymns, n.d.
Folder 2: Writings - Hymns for Service Based on Peace and World Brotherhood, n.d.
Folder 3: Writings - The Early Hymns of Methodism, n.d.
Folder 4: Writings - Reading list in the field of worship and music, n.d.
Folder 5: Writings - Worship in its Ecumenical Dimension, n.d.
Folder 6: Writings - The American Tradition in the Choral Music of Non-Liturgical Churches, n.d.
Folder 7: Writings - Some Principles to be Observed in Arranging Hymn Services, n.d.
Folder 8: Writings - Ways of Using Hymns, n.d.
Folder 9: Writings - Suggestions for Senior Choir Anthems, n.d.
Folder 10: Writings - Suggestions for Children's Choirs, n.d.
Folder 11: Writings - Best Uses of Hymns, n.d.
Folder 12: Writings - Suggested Bibliography to help the Minister of Music, n.d.
Folder 13: Writings - Suggested Hymns for Funerals, n.d.
Folder 14: Writings - Anthems for This Age, n.d.
Folder 15: Writings - The Methodist Minister and the Music of the Church, 1958
Folder 16: Meditations fromt the Medthodist Hour Radio Show, 1951
Folder 17: Resumes, 1936, 1952
Folder 18: Malden, MA pamphlet for Baptist service with Dr. martin Luther King Sr., 1979
Folder 19: Photographs - Rayen School Girls Octettes, 1941-1942
Folder 20: Choral Style Book, 1950
Folder 21: B.U. Library (catalog) as of October 19, 1960, 1960
Folder 22: Church Choir absence cards, n.d.
Folder 23: Publicity pamphlet, 1930
Folder 24: Poem by unknown - "Doc" Houghton, n.d.
Folder 25: The Problem of Peace, n.d.
Folder 26: Music Education - Lesson plans by William E. Ross, n.d.
Folder 27: Melrose Amphion Club Library, 1937
Folder 28: Awards - Young Artists' Contest, National Federation of Music Clubs, Plymouth District (Vocal Solo), 1927
Folder 29: Book list for Music in the Church School, n.d.
Folder 30: Hymn of the Month, 1957-1958
Folder 31: Some Easy Organ Music and Choir Repertoire, Austin Lovelace, n.d.
Folder 32: Helen Hawk Carlisle - Music Education Resources - First Methodist Church, Evanston, n.d.
Folder 33: The Life of Christ in Poetry and Song - evening worship, Marion, MA, 1939
Folder 34: Order for the Administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, n.d.
Folder 35: To Better Lead in Worship, n.d.
Folder 36: Anthem Repertoire NAFOMM, 1957
Folder 37: The Service of the Burial of the Dead, n.d.
Folder 38: A Hymn-Scripture Service, n.d.
Folder 39: John Wesley service, n.d.
Folder 40: Organ Preludes, n.d.
Folder 41: Music in the Small Church, n.d.
Folder 42: Enlarging and Improving the Hymn Repertoire, n.d.
Folder 43: Hymnbook in Church Worship, n.d.
Folder 44: 125th Anniversary Celebration of the Troy Annual Conference, 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Charles Wesley "The Sweet Singer of Methodism", 1957
Folder 45: A Multiple Choir System, n.d.
Folder 46: Pre-nuptial Organ Music, n.d.
Folder 47: Reading list in the field of Music and Worship, n.d.
Folder 48: The Marriage Service, n.d.
Folder 49: Anthems for Youth Choirs, n.d.
Folder 50: Chancel Choir procedures and poster, n.d.
Folder 51: Some Principles to Be Observed in Arranging Hymn Services, n.d.
Folder 52: Choral Literature, n.d.
Folder 53: The Presbyterian Outlook, 1952
Folder 54: Baritone Songs, n.d.
Folder 55: Tenor Songs, n.d.
Folder 56: Ventures in Worship, ed. David James Randolph, 1969
Folder 57: Planning the Service: A Workbook for Pastors, Organists, and Choirmasters, Ralph Gehrke, 1961
Folder 58: Mezzo soprano selections and program from senior recital, 1947
Folder 59: Song repertoire for the Westminister Choir School, Frans Hoffman, 1935
Folder 60: Theory and Practice of Church Music with bibliography and resources, n.d.
Folder 61: Selections for bass voice, n.d.
Folder 62: Songs from New England Colleges, 1951-1952
Folder 63: Misc. orders of worship, n.d., 1952
Folder 64: Materials (CV, letters, resources) on organists, 1947, 1952
Folder 65: BU School of Music miscellany and programs, 1947-1952
Folder 66: Photograph of singer Gladys de Almeida, n.d.
Folder 67: A Service of Praise and Thanksgiving, 1965
Folder 68: Church music worship programs, 1959-1960
Folder 69: Catalog of books sent to Houghton, 1945
Folder 70: Chorister's Guild Letters, Memphis TN, 1953-1954
Folder 71: Air Force performance photos and correspondence, 1952-1958
Folder 72: The Royal Choral Society's 84th Season, 1954-1955
Folder 73: Various articles from the Diasporan and New Music Review, 1927-1933
Folder 74: Student papers - "Handel: His Life and His Era," Barbara Mullane, n.d.
Folder 75: Student papers - "Johann Sebastian Bach," Roger Ragan, 1952
Folder 76: Student papers - "Music in the Church School for the Two and Three Year Old," Edward D. Jervey, 1952
Folder 77: My Book of Worship: The Board of Education and the Methodist Church, 1931
Folder 78: First Methodist Church Choir Notebook, 1957-1958
Folder 79: Choral Repertoire for the Church Choir, J. Edward Moyer, 1958
Folder 80: The American Choral Foundation Memos, 1960-1964
Folder 81: Life of Martin Luther - timeline, narrative, bibliography, n.d.
Folder 82: Radio program on hymns - transcripts, intros, and JRH notes, undated, n.d.
Folder 83: Student papers - "The Book of Psalms: Its Meaning and Use in Worship," Reuel W. Beach, 1946
Folder 84: Student papers - Church Music - "The Methodist Hymnal Can Live," Philip E. Needles, 1955
Folder 85: Student papers - Suggested titles for term papers, n.d.
Folder 86: Choral Club of Hartford materials, 1907-1932
Folder 87: Glee Club and Seminary Singers performance correspondence (incoming), 1948-1963
Folder 88: Glee Club and Seminary Singers performance correspondence (outgoing), 1952-1960
Folder 89: Glee Club Alaskan tour scrapbook/correspondence, 1958-1960
Folder 90: Glee CLub European concert tour scrapbook, 1960
Folder 91: Glee Club and Seminary Singers programs - some duplicates - loosely organized by date, 1940-1964
Folder 92: BU choral groups misc. press and ephemera, 1940-1960
Folder 93: Newspaper clippings from a folder marked "Criticisms" by JRH, 1897-1923
Folder 94: Martha's Vineyard Institute on Worship/Campmeeting Association materials, 1933-1941
Folder 95: Resources - "Regarding Piano Teaching", 1917-1922