The University of South Dakota

42 linear ft., 20 boxes

Provenance:

The papers of Robert Marek (1915-1995), musician, composer, conductor and professor were deposited in the University of South Dakota I.D. Weeks Library, Special Collections by the composer's son, Mike Marek in August of 1997. The status of copyright in the unpublished compositions of Robert Marek in these papers and in other collections of papers in the custody of the University of South Dakota I.D. Weeks Library, Special Collections is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Background:

Robert Marek was born in Wisconsin on January 20, 1915. He began his music career at age nine when he began studying the violin. He attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and he received his bachelor's degree in music education from Kansas State College in Emporia. His graduate degrees in music theory were from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester in New York. He studied with Bernard Rogers and Wayne Barlow at the Eastman School. He taught in Wisconsin, Kansas and Colorado prior to becoming a faculty member at the University of South Dakota in 1957. At USD he taught music theory, composition and counterpoint and was named Emeritus Professor in 1982. Marek died in 1995.

In a television biography, broadcast on South Dakota Public Television as a part of the South Dakota Composers series, Dr. Marek described his music as having a "…total chromatic tonal basis, with superimposed layers and lines of melody and a mixture of metric and non-metric rhythmic structures" He commented that, "Pitch textures are usually tonal, but may also be serially controlled or developed by set relationships." He said that "…There is always and expressive element underlying the music. Dramatic gestures are frequently involved in giving the music its direction and form". Marek believed that the teaching of music theory and the analysis of music for his students and classes had been an important element in shaping his style. Performing in orchestras and other ensembles, and conducting and arranging for such groups, provided background and skills in handling instruments and voices. His interest in creativity and in using and manipulating sounds were the basic factors contributing to his list of works and in his process of music composition.

Scope and Content:

The papers of Robert C. Marek span a fifty-year period from 1944-1994. The collection contains original musical compositions with director's scores, orchestration, choral accompaniment, as well as arrangements and transcriptions; correspondence; teaching materials; programs of musical productions; historic photographs; newspaper clippings; pamphlets; books; and classical compositions by the masters. Additional materials include correspondence, biographical sketches of South Dakota composers; teaching material; class notes & grade books; programs of musical productions; historic photographs; newspapers clippings; pamphlets; sheet music copies and transcriptions of classical music by master composers.

The bulk of the collection consists of Marek's original musical compositions. An alphabetical list is available. The compositions are arranged in chronological order according to the date completed. Undated works are arranged alphabetically. Many of the works are written in pencil in Marek's hand. A number of the compositions include annotation. A variety of works make up Marek's musical compositions, including: symphonies, cantatas, marches, overtures, musical theatre, operas and Christmas suites. A work of special significance is the composition, Cantata for a Dedication, which was performed in Washington DC during the bicentennial celebration. Another significant feature of the collection is Marek's arrangements of Moravian hymns, Three Preludes on Moravian Hymns for Organ, which was commissioned by James Boeringer, Director of the Moravian Foundation. References to the Moravian works are included in the correspondence section of Marek's papers. Collaborative works include: All Things Begin, And the Lord Said, and Four songs from the Tree of Bones, composed with the poet, John Milton; Prosopa, a satiric opera and the opera, Arabesque, both written with dramatist Wayne Knutson.

Related Subjects:

University of South Dakota--Faculty
Music--Instruction and study--South Dakota
Composers

Additional Resources:

To hear excerpts of Robert C. Marek's original musical works, please visit the page developed by his son Michael Marek
- Robert C. Marek, Recorded Original Works

Robert C. Marek Guide prepared by Jayme Huff

Please e-mail us at speccoll@usd.edu with your comments.