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Natalie Hinderas Collection
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Held at: Temple University Libraries: Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Temple University Libraries: Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Natalie Hinderas was born Natalie Leota Henderson to Abram L. Henderson and Leota Palmer on June 15, 1927 in Oberlin, Ohio. She became a celebrated pianist and music instructor in Philadelphia. She was one of the first African Americans to gain worldwide fame as a classical pianist. Hinderas was also the first African American female pianist to be featured by a symphony orchestra. (1) Her parents were Abram L. Henderson and Leota Palmer, both musicians in their own right. Her father was an accomplished jazz pianist while her mother, trained in classical music, also taught courses in institutes of higher education such as Fisk University and Philadelphia's Settlement Music School. Growing up in this musical atmosphere, young Natalie began playing piano at the age of six. By the time she was eighteen, she had graduated from Oberlin Conservatory with a degree in Music. Following her time at Oberlin she continued to hone her craft by studying at Julliard with Olga Samaroff who encouraged her to change her name from Henderson to Hinderas which because of its European sound, would open more opportunities for her. Her first high profile recital performance as a professional came in 1951in New York and was reviewed well by the musical critics of the New York Times. (2) For the next three decades, Hinderas would perform all over the world and become one of the country's most acclaimed pianists. In 1966, she joined the teaching staff at Temple University's Boyer College of Music. She was promoted to full professor in 1973 and taught there until her death in 1987. The Natalie Hinderas Collection contains many lecture notes, syllabi, and other documents that attest to her skill as an instructor. Hinderas was married to fellow musician Lionel Monagas and had one child, a daughter named Michele Lisa. She passed away after battling cancer in 1987.
(1) "Natalie Hinderas". http://oberlinmakesadifference.com/inductees/2011/natalie-hinderas/
(2) "Natalie Hinderas, 60; Played Classical Piano". http://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/23/obituaries/natalie-hinderas-60-played-classical-piano.html
Contained in this collection are documents regarding the business, professional, and personal affairs of Natalie Hinderas from 1969-1987. Primarily, this collection is rich in documenting Hinderas' work with various organizations in music and other art forms.
This collection is arranged into 11 series as follows:
- Series 1: Correspondence, 1969-1984
- Series 2: Business and Financial Affairs, 1971-1987, undated
- Series 3: Performing and Fine Arts, undated
- Subseries 3a: Competitions, undated
- Subseries 3b: Art Institutions, undated
- Subseries 3c: Music Organizations, undated
- Subseries 3d: Piano Workshops, undated
- Subseries 3e: Artists, undated
- Series 4: Educational, undated
- Subseries 4a: Students, undated
- Subseries 4b: Schools, undated
- Series 5: Photographs, 1960-1981, undated
- Series 6: Churches, undated
- Series 7: Foundation, undated
- Series 8: Audio Tapes, 1961-1976, undated
- Series 9: Orchestras, undated
- Series 10: Personal Items, 1953-1988, undated
- Series 11: Miscellaneous, circa 1983-1984, undated
Original audiovisual materials, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or if none exist must pay for a use copy. Certain digital files may also be inaccessible. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.
The collection maintains its deposit organization structure. Processed by: Clyde Ledbetter, Supervisor: Aslaku Berhanu, December 2012.
Subject
- Publisher
- Temple University Libraries: Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection
- Finding Aid Author
- Machine-readable finding aid created by: Rajkumar Natarajan, Sky Global Services India (P) Ltd.
- Finding Aid Date
- January 2025
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
The Natalie Hinderas Collection is the physical property of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, Temple University Libraries. The creator/donor has not assigned their rights to Temple University Libraries. Other creators' intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to them or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.
Collection Inventory
This series contain several personal items (letters, postcards, greeting cards) to and from family members (husband Lionel Monagas, and daughter Michele Monagas). There are also communications with banks, schools, and other organizations.
Beyond Natalie Hinderas personal financial records (receipts, travel, hotels, and tax forms), this series includes the financial records for Hinderas Associates Media Production Company Inc., Natalie Hinderas Enterprises Inc., Rile Associates, and Rosenthal Company Certified Public Accountants. Also included are bank statements, letters, legal information, payroll records, contracts, royalty statements, medical statements, and memos.
This series contains a variety of items related to Hinderas' associations with a number of performance organizations and activities like musical competitions and piano workshops. Another major category here is a list of artists who have worked with Hinderas. This section is separated into five sub-series.
This series has two sub-series-students and schools. Contained in this section are letters, grade reports, and articles of her students that she once taught. The schools section includes programs, newspaper clippings, and printed materials relating to Hinderas' performances/appearances at various schools and universities.
The images in this collection include Natalie Hinderas headshots and other photo shoots, her daughter's baby pictures, and photographs of her 1960 USA tour.
This series contain letters and programs from various churches where Hinderas performed.
Within this series are several articles, letters, programs and brochures about the foundations contained in this collection, all of which were connected to Natalie Hinderas' public affairs. Foundations included in the series are the Kay Kimbell Art Foundation, National Piano Foundation, as well as The Pressor Foundation.
Included here are 22 recordings containing various orchestral performances by Natalie Hinderas and other musicians. Other compositions, interviews, and miscellaneous items are also stored on the audio tapes.
This series includes written material concerning various national and international orchestras such as the American Symphony, the National Black Symphony, as well as the Philadelphia Orchestra.
This series contain a number of personal items (letters, postcards, greeting cards) to and from family members (husband Lionel Monagas, and daughter Michele Monagas). There are also communications with banks, schools, and other organizations.
This series contain letters from various associations in which Natalie Hinderas was a member. Also, there are news articles about Hinderas and other musicians. Other items in this series include booklets, pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, restaurant menus from France, copyrights information, magazines, awards and citations, correspondence between Natalie and various record and production companies and associations, Natalie's "dolce" recipe along with the story behind her signature delectable and television contract to promote her dessert, correspondence between Natalie Hinderas and Fanfare National Public Radio Campaign for the Arts, business and income tax statements.