Donald C. Gilley Papers, 1921-1982: Finding Aid
Published in November 2018
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 471
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Donald C. Gilley Papers
- Dates: 1921-1982
- Size: 2.79 linear feet
- Container Summary: 4 manuscript boxes, 1 half-manuscript box, 2 card file boxes, 1 oversize folder
- Creator: Gilley, Donald C.
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Donald C. Gilley was an organist and choirmaster at the United States Naval Academy. The Donald C. Gilley Papers span from 1921 until 1982. The papers document Gilley's career as a as a musician (organist), choirmaster, and musical educator, with a focus on his tenure at the United States Naval Academy, as well as his earlier tenures at Earlham College, Butler University's Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music, and Wesley United Methodist Church in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Biography of Donald C. Gilley
A native of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Donald Curtiss Gilley attended Beloit College before enrolling in the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he received his Bachelor of Music in 1928. Following graduation, Gilley accepted a position at Earlham College as College Organist, Professor of Music Theory, and director of campus music organizations. After earning his Master of Music from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1933, Gilley joined the faculty of the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music at Butler University as head of the Organ Department, where he stayed until 1938, when he moved to Worcester, Massachusetts to become Minister of Music at Wesley United Methodist Church.
With U.S. entrance into World War II, Gilley joined the United States Navy, serving as director of the choir at the United States Navy School for Chaplains in Williamsburg, Virginia. In January 1944, Gilley reported for duty as an instructor at the United States Naval Academy, ultimately rising to the rank of full professor. At the Academy, Gilley served as organist and director of four choirs, including service as the first director of the Naval Academy Glee Club and Antiphonal Choir. Donald C. Gilley retired from the Naval Academy on October 1, 1972.
Description of Contents
The Donald C. Gilley Papers, comprising 2.79 linear feet of documentation, span from 1921 until 1982. The papers document Gilley's career as a as a musician (organist), choirmaster, and musical educator, with a focus on his tenure at the United States Naval Academy, as well as his earlier tenures at Earlham College, Butler University's Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music, and Wesley United Methodist Church in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The collection consists of photographs, event programs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, notebooks, resumes, and index cards.
The Gilley Papers are organized into two series by document type. Series 1: Subject Files consists of correspondence, clippings, and printed ephemera from each of Gilley's professional posts as a choirmaster and educator, as well as from his own education. The documents in the series focus overwhelmingly on musical performances by both Gilley and the choirs/students under his direction, as well as musical selections played by Gilley during church services. Series 2: Photographs consists mainly of portraits of Gilley and the choirs under his direction, as well as photograph of Naval Academy choir and glee club performances, as well as performances of the United States Navy School for Chaplains Choir.
Arrangement
The Donald C. Gilley Papers are organized into the following two series:
- Series 1: Subject Files, 1921-1982
- Series 2: Photographs, 1930-1972
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Donald C. Gilley Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Custodial History
Transferred from Naval Academy Archives in November 2018.
Provenance and Acquisition
Unknown.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Additional documentation pertaining to the operations of the choir is available in RG 405.2.1 Entry 39b, Office of the Superintendent/Correspondence: General Correspondence, 1845-1989.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Donald C. Gilley Papers, MS 471
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was initially processed Gary LaValley, with additional processing by David D'Onofrio in November 2018. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in November 2018.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music
- Choirs (Music)
- Earlham College
- Gilley, Donald C.
- Naval Chaplains School (U.S.)
- Organ music
- United States Naval Academy -- Choral organizations
- United States Naval Academy. Chapel
- United States Naval Academy. Glee Club
- Wesley United Methodist Church (Worcester, Mass.)
Genre Terms
- Card indexes
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Correspondence
- Faculty papers
- Manuscripts
- Notebooks
- Photographs
- Programs (documents)
Contents List
Series 1: Subject Files, 1921-1982 Boxes 1-4, 6-7, MSOS
Series DescriptionDocumentation of Gilley's career as a musician (organist), choirmaster, and musical educator. Specifically, the materials in the series focus on the musical performances of both Gilley and the choirs under his instruction at the United States Naval Academy, United States Navy Training School for Chaplains, Earlham College, Butler University's Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music, and Wesley United Methodist Church in Worcester, Massachusetts. Included in the series are event programs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, notebooks, resumes, and index cards.
Documentation from Gilley's time at the United States Naval Academy pertains to Gilley's appointment to the Academy, performances of the Glee Club and choirs, and musical selections for services at the Naval Academy Chapel.
Also included in the series are documents pertaining to Gilley's education and personal life, namely his wedding, as well as his membership in the American Guild of Organists and writings on choir administration.
Series ArrangementArranged alphabetically by institution name, document type, and topic.
Personal Correspondence, 1928-1980, undated
Correspondence with or regarding Oberlin College, the College Music Association, Bishop Noble C. Powell, Messiah performances, the Naval Academy choirs, the Naval Academy organ, and Gilley's retirement. Includes a 1953 article on the Naval Academy organ.
Series 2: Photographs, 1930-1972 Boxes 4-5
Series DescriptionPhotographs, predominantly black-and-white, from Gilley's career as a musician (organist), choirmaster, and musical educator, with a heavy focus on his time as organist and choirmaster at the United States Naval Academy. Much of the series consists of portraits of Gilley, as well as depictions of the Naval Academy choirs and Glee Club, both in performances and still portraits, as well as the Naval Academy Chapel and its services. To a lesser extent, the series also depicts the musical activities of the United States Navy School for Chaplains Choir, as well as the choirs of Butler University.
Series ArrangementPortraits of Gilley arranged chronologically. Remainder of the series arranged alphabetically by institution thereafter.