melcher_sc.html

ROBERT AUGUSTUS MELCHER (1910-1983)
PAPERS, 1931-1976, n.d.
SCOPE AND CONTENT

The papers of Robert A. Melcher, spanning the years 1931-1976, document Melcher's career as a student, teacher, and scholar. They also reflect in detail the nature of Melcher's research interest and his emphasis on the study of music theory. Material of a personal nature is virtually non-existent within the collection.

The Melcher papers are arranged into six record series: I. Book Manuscript, II. Course Material--Instructor, III. Course Material--Student, IV. Miscellaneous Teaching Texts, V. Miscellany, and VI. Writings of Robert Melcher. Within series, materials are arranged chronologically and thereunder alphabetically. The first series is a manuscript of a scholarly text that was apparently never published. The second series includes course material from Melcher's career as a teacher, and the third series consists of Melcher's course materials while a student.

The fourth and fifth series include items that Melcher used for teaching and research. The sixth series includes the writings of Robert Melcher. Melcher's writings focus on the study of music in areas such as score reading and keyboard harmony.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I. Book Manuscript, n.d. 0.2 l.f.

A manuscript bearing the title "Integrated Theory" exists, with chapters 1-37 intact and complete. This series gives a good representation of the type of material Melcher utilized in both teaching and research.

Series II. Course Material--Instructor, 1934-1976 0.4 l.f.

The series is divided between material taught while Melcher was at Ohio Northern, and the material taught at Oberlin. The material consists mostly of lecture notes, with some course outlines and exams also included.

Series III. Course Material--Student, 1931-1938 0.2 l.f.

Most of the material is from Melcher's days as a graduate student at Oberlin; a small portion is from his undergraduate work at Oberlin. Lecture notes and examinations make up the majority of this series. The series also contains a miscellaneous grouping of handouts and a copy of an early Melcher resume.

Series IV. Miscellaneous Teaching Texts, 1914-1948 0.3 l.f.

Published texts cover topics such as applied harmony, orchestration, and singing. Texts often have Melcher's marginal notes and comments. Arrangement is alphabetical by title.

Series V. Miscellany, 1939-1970, n.d. 0.1 l.f.

Series consists of handwritten notes, printed material, and sheet music. Items cover such topics as musical phrasing and the Schnecker principle for musical synthesis. Items are arranged chronologically.

Series VI. Writings of Robert Melcher, 1960-1971 0.4 l.f.

Melcher's writings (co-authored with Willard Warch) cover such topics as Melcher's harmony and score reading. Texts contain additional pages of printed materials and notes as placed there by Melcher. Arrangement is alphabetical by book title.

PROVENANCE

The initial lot of Robert Melcher papers was received in 1988 from his widow, Anna Melcher; subsequent lots were delivered in 1992 from the same source.

RELATED MATERIAL

Additional material on Robert Melcher and his career may be found in the Oberlin College library, as well as in the Former Student/Staff files (for both Robert and Anna Melcher) in the Oberlin College Archives.