William Duncan Allen papers, 1975-1994, bulk 1975-1977

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Summary

Creators:
Allen, William Duncan.
Abstract:
The William Duncan Allen papers include photographs, certificates, plaques, and a diploma documenting the life and career of concert pianist, teacher, and music critic William Duncan Allen. The bulk of the papers consist of 288 photographs of Allen's music colleagues and friends at receptions in the Bay Area and while traveling in Europe in 1975-1977.
Extent:
1.5 linear feet (1 oversized box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

William Allen Duncan papers , MS 70, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The William Duncan Allen papers include photographs, certificates, plaques, and a diploma documenting the life and career of concert pianist, teacher, and music critic William Duncan Allen. The bulk of the papers consist of 288 photographs documenting Allen's music colleagues and friends at receptions in the Bay Area and while traveling in Europe in 1975-1977. The photographs include several notable musicians and vocalists including George Shirley, William Parker, Peter Van Derick, and William Warfield. The papers also include a small assorted of certificates and plaques awarded to William Duncan Allen for his musical contributions as a teacher, performer, and critic.

Biographical / historical:

Pianist, teacher, and music critic William Duncan Allen Jr. (1906-1999) was born on December 15, 1906 in Portland, Oregon the oldest son of William Duncan Allen Sr. and Lillian Medley. Allen was raised in Portland, Oregon, where his father owned and operated the Golden West Hotel, at the time the largest black-owned hotel on the West Coast. After graduating from Portland’s Jefferson High School, he attended Oberlin College in Ohio earning bachelor and master’s degrees in music in 1928 and 1936 before studying one year at the Julliard School of Music.

In 1929, Allen accepted a position teaching music and piano at Howard University until 1935 when he returned to Oberlin College to continue his studies. After studying with Dutch pianist Egon Petri in Poland in the 1930s, Allen returned to teach music at Fisk University in Nashville until 1943. Beginning in 1944, Allen accompanied tenor Todd Duncan on a world tour playing at venues in the U.S., Australia, South America, and Europe. Allen continued to tour with Duncan until 1953 when he moved to San Francisco where he worked as an accompanist, music teacher, and music critic. He served as the minister of music at the South Berkeley Community Church, director of the Berkeley Junior Bach Festival, and music critic for the San Francisco Sun-Reporter and the Oakland Post.

Allen was a visiting professor and artist in residence at Talladega College for the 1981-1982 academic year and was awarded an honorary doctorate of music in 1978 from the Center for Urban-Black Studies.

Processing information:

Processed by Sean Heyliger, 10/01/2013.

Arrangement:

Series I. Photograph album Series II. Biographical

Accruals:

Accession 2013-062 added on October 1, 2013.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the William Duncan Allen Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

William Allen Duncan papers , MS 70, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
Website