The Jacob “Jack” Radunsky Papers, 1895, 1908-1995, mainly document the pianoforte performance and teaching career of Radunsky over nearly three decades. Consisting of six record series, the largest of which is his correspondence, the collection is on the whole uneven. There are gaps in the record relating to Professor Radunsky’s teaching and service to Oberlin College. The biographical file (Series I) helps to fill some of the holes in his life and times.

The correspondence includes incoming professional and personal. The latter, from students and/or alumni, is large, and the letters document in a broad way Radunsky’s ongoing mentorship with students and his professional relationship with them. A good set of outgoing letters exists from Radunsky to immediate family and friends.

A small body of instructional materials and student files as well as coursework are found in Series III and IV.

Non-textual records, consisting of photographic negatives and sound recordings, comprise Series VI and VII. There are 52 reel-to-reel tapes and 17 photographs.

Series I. Biographical Files

Consists of a variety of materials documenting the life of Jacob “Jack” Radunsky and his wife Betty. The series contains diplomas, licenses, memberships, retirement information, concert programs collected by Radunsky, correspondence relating to his faculty position at Oberlin College and a teaching position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Series II. Correspondence

The correspondence series is divided into three subseries: Subseries 1. Professional Correspondence (incoming); Subseries 2. Letters received by Radunsky (incoming) – Personal; and Subseries 3. Letters from Radunsky (outgoing) – Personal. The letters are arranged alphabetically, or by group (i.e., family, students/alumni/friends).

Series III. Instructional Materials and Student Files

The instructional files consist of teaching schedules and class lists, student files, notes and musical scores, printed matter, and evaluations of courses (completed by students). Files relating to students are restricted.

Series IV. Coursework

The series contains student papers and notes of Radunsky that were produced during the period, 1942-50, when he studied at Columbia University and received private lessons from several renowned piano teachers and at the Julliard School of Music.

Series V. Financial Records (Sample)

The financial records were sampled by the Archives staff to provide additional documentation concerning the lives of Jacob “Jack” and Betty Radunsky. Consists of summaries of bank accounts, charitable donations, insurance policies, investment accounts.

Series VI. Photographs

Series VII. Sound Recordings