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McGrath Sacred Music Collection
MS.1992.001
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Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives
Title: McGrath Sacred Music Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.1992.001
Physical Description:
14.5 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1908-1985
Abstract: Geraldine Biggs McGrath was born in October 8th, 1929 to Richard Keys Biggs, a prominent organist and composer, and Lucinne
Gourdon Biggs. Her parents were pioneers in bringing traditional Roman Catholic Church music to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
They moved to California, where the rich church music environment influenced McGrath into pursuing choir and Gregorian chant.
She graduated from Mount Saint Mary's College in Los Angeles in 1951 with abachelor of music degree in choral conducting and
became music director at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in GranadaHills. Through her lifetime, she taught at the Los
Angeles Archdiocesan Seminary of Our Lady Queen of Angels, was appointed to the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Music Commission,
and was a founding member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, as well as a recipient of the Papal Cross Pro
Ecclesia et Pontific awarded by Pope Benedict XVI. She also campaigned for keeping traditional music, such as chant, in modernizing
churches. The collection is rich in information concerning Gregorian chant and Catholic liturgical music composed for the
organ.
Language of Material:
English
.
McGrath Sacred Music Collection is the physical property of
California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library,
Special Collections and Archives.
Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection title, followed by
Special Collections and Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California
State University, Los Angeles
The collection is organized into three series: Series I. Books; Series II: Periodicals; and Series III: Other
Geraldine Biggs McGrath was born in October 8th, 1929 to Richard Keys Biggs, a prominent organist and composer, and Lucinne
Gourdon Biggs. Her parents were pioneers in bringing traditional Roman Catholic Church music to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
They moved to California, where the rich church music environment influenced McGrath into pursuing choir and Gregorian chant.
She graduated from Mount Saint Mary's College in Los Angeles in 1951 with a bachelor of music degree in choral conducting
andbecame music director at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in Granada Hills. Through her lifetime, she taught at the
Los Angeles Archdiocesan Seminary of Our Lady Queen of Angels, was appointed to the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Music Commission,
and was a founding member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, as well as a recipient of the Papal Cross Pro
Ecclesia et Pontific awarded by Pope Benedict XVI. She also campaigned for keeping traditional music, such as chant, in modernizing
churches.
The collection is rich in information concerning Gregorian chant and Catholic liturgical music composed for the organ.
This collection was donated on July 30th, 1992 by Geraldine Biggs McGrath from the estate of MSGR Robert E. Brennan, in honor
of McGrath's parents (Richard Keys Biggs and Lucienne Gourdon Biggs).
Series Description
Series I: Books
Inclusive Dates: 1908-2005
Arrangement: Alphabetical/Volumes
This series consists of a collection of books that include a partial set of early
French books covering Catholic liturgical, as well as photocopies of books about
Gregorian chant. Books not assigned to volumes are arranged alphabetical,
while those that are part of larger group, such as the Prosper Guèranger
collection, are listed by volumes instead.
Series II: Periodicals
Inclusive Dates: 1942-1989
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This series consists of a small collection of Caecilia monthly periodicals
concerning reviews and news about Catholic music. The series also contains
issues of Sacred Music and other periodicals.
Series III: Other
Inclusive Dates: 1985-1994
Arrangement: Alphabetical thereunder chronological
This small series consists of biographical documents, correspondence,
miscellaneous writings, and one oversized drawing.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Music--United States
Sacred music