The papers of Daniel Moe consist of awards, biographical information, diaries and scrapbooks, writings and music compositions, correspondence, various files relating to both his Oberlin and non-Oberlin service, photographs, and reel-to-reel tape recordings. These materials document Moe’s choral career in both the academic and religious sectors, though the bulk of the collection relates to his time at Oberlin College.

The collection documents Moe’s intense focus on his musical career and his concern for his students. Included in the materials are a number of articles written about Moe as well as reviews of his concerts that illustrate the important impact that he had on choral music.

The composition series consists entirely of music written by Moe, including both original and facsimile compositions and published scores, which span the better part of Moe’s career, 1949-1990.

The correspondence series, as well as the files relating to non-Oberlin service, illustrate the breadth of Moe’s work in the choral profession. Included in the latter series are files relating to nineteen organizations, both religious and academic, that Moe worked with on speaking engagements, tours, and workshops (1968-1986). These files also include information on a number of All-State Choir Festivals, as well as two folders concerning his involvement with the Lutheran Society for Worship, Music, and the Arts.

The Files Relating to Oberlin Service and the Non-Textual Records series document the tremendous impact that Moe had on both Oberlin College and its Conservatory of Music during his 20-year tenure as Professor of Choral Conducting. During this time Moe served as the Conductor for the Musical Union, Oberlin College Choir, and the Oberlin College Chorus. The files, which range from reviews of concerts to papers related to tours performed by the Oberlin College Choir, provide insight into Moe’s commitment to his choirs and the gratitude that his students felt towards him.

Finally, the Writings series consists of two textbooks that Moe wrote prior to his arrival at Oberlin, a chapter published in Choral Conducting: A Symposium, and articles spanning the period 1959 to 1965.

The Daniel Moe Papers are divided into the following eight series:

I. Awards, II. Biographical Material, III. Compositions, IV. Correspondence, V. Files Relating to Oberlin Service, VI. Files Relating to Non-Oberlin Service, VII. Writings by Daniel Moe, and VIII. Non-Textual Records.

Series I. Awards, 1974 (1 folder)

Consists of the Canticum Novum Award presented to Daniel Moe in 1974 by Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.

Series II. Biographical Material, 1946-49, 1951-92, n.d. (9 folders)

This series is divided into the following subseries: Subseries 1. Curriculum Vita; Subseries 2. Diaries and Scrapbooks; Subseries 3. Miscellaneous Material (Early Years); and, Subseries 4. Writings about Moe.

Subseries 1. Curriculum Vita, c. 1992

Included in this subseries is the curriculum vita of Daniel Moe for 1992.

Subseries 2. Diaries and Scrapbooks, 1951-83

This subseries consists of a scrapbook dated 1951-62 and a collection of Hymns, Psalms, Canticles, and Spiritual Songs.

Subseries 3. Miscellaneous Material (Early Years), 1946-49

The miscellaneous material includes a yearbook and philosophy notes written by Daniel Moe while he was a student at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Also included is a pamphlet for the Paul Christiansen Choral School in Bemidji, MN, which Moe attended during the summer of 1948.

Subseries 4. Writings about Daniel Moe, 1952-92, n.d.

The writings include a dissertation written by Karle J. Erikson, titled “The Choral Music of Daniel Moe,” and clippings, articles, and reviews of his concerts.

Series III. Compositions, 1949-90, n.d. (43 folders and 8 items)

Consists of compositions written by Moe. Includes original and facsimile manuscripts, as well as published scores.

Series IV. Correspondence (incoming and outgoing), 1952-85 (12 folders)

The correspondence, incoming and outgoing, primarily concerns Moe’s professional activity. Included are letters from various churches and church groups, colleagues, and students.

Series V. Files Relating to Oberlin Service, 1972-98, n.d. (21 folders)

This series is divided into the following subseries:

Subseries 1. Performance Program Files; and, Subseries 2. Teaching and Performance Related Materials.

Subseries 1. Performance Program Files, 1972-98, n.d. (17 folders)

The Performance Program Files include printed programs of performance materials relating to the Musical Union, the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra, the Oberlin College Choir, the Oberlin College Chorus, and the Tappan Singers.

Subseries 2. Teaching and Performance Related Materials, 1972-92, n.d. (4 folders)

This subseries consists of three Class Record Books (restricted) 1972-73, 1973-74, and 1981-83, as well as folders on committee service, lists of compositions, and lists of Musical Union performances, as well as pre-concert comments by Moe.

Series VI. Files Relating to Non-Oberlin Service, 1947-92, n.d. (27 folders)

This series is divided into three subseries:

Subseries 1. Programs; Subseries 2. Tours, Workshops, Clinics, and Lecture Presentations; and, Subseries 3. Lutheran Society for Worship, Music, and the Arts.

Subseries 1. Programs, 1947-92 (3 folders)

Contains programs relating to All-State Choral Festivals as well as miscellaneous concert programs that Daniel Moe conducted.

Subseries 2. Tours, Workshops, Clinics, and Lecture Presentations, 1968, 1974-76, 1979, 1980-86, 1990 (22 folders)

Consists of correspondence, programs, clippings, planning documents, and associated materials relating to tours and lectures that Daniel Moe participated in along with nineteen different religious and academic organizations.

Subseries 3. Lutheran Society for Worship, Music, and the Arts, 1959-59, 1968, n.d. (2 folders)

This subseries consists of correspondence and printed matter related to Moe’s involvement with the Lutheran Society for Worship, Music, and the Arts.

Series VII. Writings by Daniel Moe, 1959-68, 1972, n.d. (5 folders)

Consists of articles, textbooks, music history, literature note cards, and other miscellaneous writings by Moe.

Series VIII. Non-Textual Records, 1955-92, n.d. (12 folders and 10 recordings)

This series is divided into three subseries: Subseries 1. Photographs; Subseries 2. Negatives and Slides; and, Subseries 3. Reel-to-Reel Tape Recordings.

Subseries 1. Photographs, 1955-92, n.d. (10 folders)

The photographs consist of individual images of Daniel Moe, Moe conducting the Oberlin Choir, and the Oberlin College Choir (Moe not included).

Subseries 2. Negatives and Slides, 1971, n.d.

Negatives (112) and slides (41) consisting of images of the Oberlin College Choir.

Subseries 3. Reel-to-Reel Tape Recordings, 1962-92, n.d. (10 recordings)

This subseries consists of ten (10) reel-to-reel tape recordings. The contents of the recordings range from music conducted or composed by Daniel Moe, as well as an interview from NBC Radio on Religious Music and New Hymns.