:A Noteworthy Partnership:

Library-Music Department Programming Collaborations at Oklahoma State University

David OberhelmanOklahoma State University Library

d.oberhelman@okstate.edu

Music . . . at the Library!?

• OSU Library and OSU Music Department joint programming series– Noon Concert Series– Noteworthy Evenings

• Origins stem from mutual needs leading to mutual benefit

• Collaborative opportunities between units on campus and Friends’ groups– Friends of the OSU Library– Friends of Music

OSU Music Department

OSU Music Department Profile• Expanded greatly in last 20 years• Degrees

– BM in Performance – BM in Music Education – BM in Music Business – BA in Music – MM in Pedagogy & Performance (conducting, music education or

applied music) added in 1998

• Majors perform in large ensembles (band, orchestra, etc.), but many also perform in small ensembles (by instrument, jazz ensembles, vocal ensembles etc.)

• Many ensembles have won national/international competitions

• Facilities – outgrown current building (groundbreaking on new one not till 2020?)

Music Department Needs• Performance Needs:

– Performance space needed for smaller ensembles, recitals, soloists

– Music students need experience performing for medium-sized audiences

– Music majors must attend recitals, concerts for course credit

– Need for free daytime concerts

• Reseach/library needs, esp. w/ Master of Music degree (Library needs)– Study scores– Research materials (thematic catalogues, bibliographic

sources, etc.)

OSU Library

Library Music Collection Profile & Needs• More funding and attention given to Music Collection from

1998- (with MM program)• Previous selector worked on preliminary collection

assessment (academic monographs)• 2000-2003 Music enhancement funding

– Set priorities for scores, bibliographic titles, etc., needed for research collection

– $30,000 divided over 3 fiscal years– Selector worked with musicologist in Music Dept., Music major

student assistant assigned to project– Used A Basic Music Library: Essential Scores and Recordings, 3rd Ed.

(ALA, 1997) as assessment instrument for scores

• Ongoing needs: additional scores, audio/scores databases, reference/journal article databases, e-books, etc.

Library Public Programming Needs• Remodeled Peggy V. Helmerich

Browsing Room• Tradition of offering outreach

programing for the university and the community

• Seeking new opportunities to bring patrons, community into the Library and foster sense of Library as place

Noon Concert Series

Noon Concert Series Origins & History

• 2004: Music Dept. ensembles first used Library Browsing Room for free concerts

• 2004-2005: Informal concerts became the Brown Bag It Series w/ volunteers arranging, bringing in refreshments, etc.

• 2005- : The Noon Concert Series organized• Friends of the OSU Library began underwriting series

(refreshments/supplies)• Co-directors from both Library and Music Dept. &

committee from Library staff association

Noon Concert Series History, cont.• 2007: 7-foot Steinway grand piano donated to Library by

James and Elizabeth Wise (Friends of Library members)– Browsing Room as a true concert space– Greatly expanded repertoire of music for concerts– Music students can also book Browsing Room for recitals

• 2010-2011: Series consists of 4-5 concerts per semester; 50-80+ attendees; 12+ ensembles perform; wide variety of music styles and instruments

• Donor lunches hosted by Dean & Development Director during concerts

Noon Concert Series Logistics• Scheduling issues (Browsing Room bookings,

ensemble practice time needed, conflicts with other performances, competitions, etc.)

• Publicity (media, Web, word of mouth, social networking)

• Room setup issues (transporting music stands & instruments, seating, refreshments, etc.)

• Piano issues (tuning, moving, locking, and storing of bench, piano lamp, etc.)

• Communication issues between Library and Music

Noon Concert SeriesBenefits• Music Department

– Student ensembles gain performance experience– Showcase student talent to new audiences– Music students get recital attendance credit, audience

member experience– Educational mission (expose campus to the variety of music

& performance styles, cultural programming requirements)– Promote other concerts

• Library – Library’s role as cultural center on campus– Forms closer bond with academic department– Draws students and community members into the Library– Educational mission (Library as site for creativity)– Promote other library events

Web Flyer

Chopin Tribute

Horn Choir

Chamber Music

Opera Scenes

Trombone Choir

New Frontiers Ensemble

New Music at Noon

Noteworthy Evenings

Noteworthy Evenings Origins & History• 2006: Based on success of Noon Concert Series, Library and Music

collaborated on series of annual fundraising events to fund Library music collection

• Content would be lighter musical fare: jazz, popular piano, cabaret, etc.

• Friends of the Library donated $5,000 to establish Friends’ Music Collection Endowment; concerts add to principal and interest used for purchases

• Wishlists of music titles for donation created• Friends of Music assist Library Friends with logistics and publicity• Noteworthy Evenings have helped the endowment reach the

$20,000 mark by 2010

Noteworthy EveningsLogistics• Coordinating between Library and Music

and both Friends groups (need to define respective roles!)

• Selecting performers and format concerts• Publicity• Ticket sales (difficulty for some patrons

with online purchasing)• Catering and other logistics on top of

ususal concert setup issues

Noteworthy EveningsBenefits• Established endowment fund for

continuing music collection development• Exposes community members to variety

of musical talent at OSU• Partnerships between Friends groups to

help their respective units and university as a whole

• Creates additional opportunities for fundraising collaboration between the Library and other units on campus

Jazz Ensemble

Vocal Performance

Reception

Friends’ Music Collection Endowment

Benefits of Such Collaborations

• Libraries can build partnerships and alliances cultural/performing arts groups (on campus or in community) and other similar groups

• Partnerships can help address mutual needs and gain wider base of institutional and community support

• Additional fundraising opportunities will emerge• Involvement of multiple Friends groups can provide

additional resources and create new alliances

Thanks to the OSU Music Department, Music Students, Friends of the OSU Library, & Friends of Music