Call Number:

AC056

Repository:

Princeton University Library: University Archives

Extent:

• 14 boxes
• 2 items

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Princeton Music Collection, Box and Folder Number; University Archives, Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1849-2009 (inclusive) and 1894-1941 (bulk)

Creator:

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections and Gain, Betsy

Form:

Sheet music. and Songs.

Abstract:

This collection contains various songbooks printed for Princeton University including bound volumes and small booklets. Among the former is a nearly complete series of the Carmina Princetonia. There is also a second series dedicated to sheet music comprising various songs written for Princeton University, including many pieces written by alumni.

This is a collection of music written about Princeton University including traditional songs such as "Old Nassau," "The Princeton Cannon Song," and "The Triple Cheer."

A substantial part of this corpus is a chronological collection of the Carmina Princetonia from its first publication in 1869 until its centennial anniversary in 1969, with only the twelfth and twentieth editions missing. This songbook is the single largest compilation of Princeton songs sung by students and alumni over the years and was frequently updated and revised.

Other songbooks include a series of Campus/Class booklets roughly 3" x 2" in size with some variations. Students have used these for senior step-singing and at annual reunions. The time frame covered is 1854 to 1982, and all contain traditional songs such as "Old Nassau," along with several popular songs from each year and at times the class song.

There are also a number of special editions of "Old Nassau" containing several arrangements of the song, as well as an autobiography by the composer Karl Langlotz and a biography of the lyricist Harlan P. Peck printed between 1905 and 1906. The presentation edition was autographed by Langlotz.

In addition to a number of miscellaneous songbooks and songs with Princeton as their theme, the Princeton Music Collection includes five collegiate songbooks immortalizing a variety of colleges.

The final component of the collection is a series of sheet music consisting for the most part of spirit, football, and reunion songs. The sheet music includes autographed pieces by alumnus Kenneth S. Clark, Class of 1907 ("What Do We Want? Touchdown" and "Princeton Forward March"), J. F. Hewitt, Class of 1907 ("Come, Ye Men of Princeton"), Arthur H. Osborn, Class of 1907 ("The Princeton Cannon Song"), and Harold Nason, Class of 1898 ("Orange and Black March"). There is also a limited numbered edition of "Old Nassau" signed by Karl Langlotz.

The collection is divided into two series: