Collection inventory

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George Albert Parker Papers

An inventory of his papers at the Syracuse University Archives

Finding aid created by: Sean Molinaro
Date: 2012

Revision history:

Biography

George Albert Parker (1856-1939) was born on September 21, 1856 in Kewanee, Illinois. As a young boy, he became passionate about piano and organ music, and in his adult life, he would draw upon that passion in his career as a music professor and administrator at Syracuse University.

Parker studied piano and organ music in Kewanee through high school, but upon his graduation in 1874, he knew he had to travel if he wished to learn more. He first went to nearby Chicago, where a few years of study demonstrated his potential and intensified his dedication. In 1878, he ventured far beyond his home state when he traveled to Stuttgart, Germany to enroll in the Royal Conservatory of Music. In 1881, after four years of study and concert performances, he graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and he began his postgraduate study in Berlin’s Neue Akademie der Tonkunst (New Academy of Music). While studying under the school’s founder, notable German pianist Theodor Kullak, Parker was twice offered the prestigious position of organ instructor. He turned the offers down, however, instead following the encouragement of his teachers to pursue concert performance.

Parker returned to the United States in 1882, intending to tour as a performer, but an offer to teach piano and organ at Syracuse University changed his plans. Though he had just recently declined a similar offer in Berlin, there were personal circumstances in Syracuse which may have influenced his decision. Namely, he was engaged to marry Mary Sims, the daughter of Syracuse University Chancellor Charles Sims. He began his career at Syracuse University in 1883 as an instructor in piano and organ, and by the following year, he was promoted to full professor. By 1888, he was named the director of the music department of the College of Fine Arts. The music department, in just its ninth year at that point, was reportedly the first in the country to offer a degree in music. The ambitious new department benefited greatly from Parker’s guidance. His reforms to the curriculum and efforts to ensure a well-qualified teaching faculty helped the music department quickly gain prestige and popularity. Syracuse University’s successful program soon inspired other institutions around the country.

The College of Fine Arts recognized and appreciated Parker’s contributions. In 1893, the college conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Music degree. In 1896, when someone was needed to serve as the acting dean of the College of Fine Arts for two years, the college turned to Parker. When the college needed to name a proper new dean in 1906, Parker was once again deemed the best person for the position. Though his career to this point had focused entirely upon music, he now had administrative responsibilities to the entire College of Fine Arts. He met this challenge exceptionally well, and a variety of departments outside of his area of expertise saw swift, significant growth under his leadership, similar to his success with the music department.

In 1923, after 17 years serving as dean, Parker asked to be relieved of his ever-growing administrative duties. He retired from the dean position, but he continued on as the head of the organ department. He had taught organ at Syracuse University since the first organ was installed on campus in 1884, and he continued doing so throughout his Syracuse University career, including his time as dean. In 1937, he retired from Syracuse University, ending a fifty-five year career with the institution.

Two years after his retirement, on July 3, 1939, Parker died of pneumonia in his Syracuse home. Those remembering him in the weeks that followed praised his wholehearted dedicated to his students, his University, and his art.

Scope and Content Note

The George Albert Parker Papers contains materials dating from 1882 to 1948 related to Parker's professional and personal life. The collection includes publications from Syracuse University and related organizations about his work and contributions to the University. Also included are programs and announcements for recitals and other musical performances in which he participated. From his personal life, the collection includes family photographs, correspondence, a baby book, and scrapbooks of newspaper clippings kept over a period of 56 years.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

The Archives holds a clipping file and a portrait file on George Albert Parker.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Parker, George Albert.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Syracuse University. -- College of Fine Arts.

Subjects

Music -- Instruction and study.
Music.
College administrators.
College teachers.
Higher education.

Types of Material

Card photographs (photographs)
Correspondence.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

George Albert Parker Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated by Mary Sims Parker, George's wife, in 1967.

Processing Information

Items in this collection were placed in acid-free folders and boxes. Acidic newspaper clippings were photocopied for preservation, and the originals were discarded.

Arrangement

The items are arranged in alphabetical order.

Table of Contents

Papers

Inventory