Against a vivid blue background, a decidedly turn-of-the-century young woman laughs into her hand, catching the spirit of an era known for its exuberance and sense of fun.  "Giggling Rag" reads the heading on this amazingly colorful illustration, inside which one finds the sheet music for Howard M. Guthen's 1912 ragtime melody. 

It is one of more than 22,000 pieces in the Charles H. Templeton Sheet Music Collection, now being digitized by Mississippi State University's Mitchell Memorial Library.  The fragile paper works, many a century old, will be preserved electronically in a collection available to scholars worldwide at http://library.msstate.edu/ragtime/main.html.  The sights, the sounds, and the history of the collection are being consolidated in one of the most extensive on-line sheet music archives in the nation.

Templeton Music Archive

The sheet music is part of a wide range of musical memorabilia amassed by Starkville businessman Charles H. Templeton, who died last year.  His interests led him to focus especially on the commercial aspects of music at a time when the widespread availability of sheet music and pianos made music sales soar. 

His entire collection, donated to Mississippi State in 1987, includes more than 200 musical instruments, 15,000 records, and the sheet music representing a time from the turn-of-the-century Gay Nineties to the Depression-era 1930s.  The library currently is configuring space to house the collection of musical artifacts.

For scholars, the collection will have broad appeal beyond just its musical interests, MSU library dean Frances N. Coleman explained.  "With composers such as W.C. Handy, Charles L. Johnson, Arthur Pryor, and Irving Berlin represented, the history of a nation is reflected in the Templeton music, said Coleman. The often-elaborate illustrations of the songs also provide a window into the ideas and politics of the times.

Digitizing the Collection

Digitizing the sheet music collection is a significant undertaking.  "At this point, the digital collection contains only a sampling of the sheet music," said Coleman.  "We launched the Web site in August, 2000, but digitizing a collection of this magnitude will take several more months."

 Though time-consuming, providing access to the Templeton Collection in electronic format will expand its availability to students of early 20^th-century American culture and ensure the protection of often fragile paper documents.

"Though time consuming, providing access to the Templeton Collection in electronic format will expand its availability to students of early 20th century American culture and ensure the protection of often fragile paper documents."

Project participants include MSU library systems administrator Stephen Cunetto, university archivist Michael Ballard, and the library's Instructional Media Center, which is under the direction of Paula Lehman.  Together, they work to ensure appropriate conservation and preservation of the unique collection.

Before he donated the collection, Charles Templeton arranged the music into categories that included Rags, Blues, Movie Tunes, Foxtrots, Popular, Show Tunes, Irving Berlin, War Songs, and Specialty.  The digital version maintains these categories, with illustrations and historical background that introduce each section.  Each section is a distinctive cultural snapshot of a country embarking on a new century and a new identity.

Rags

Dating from the 1890s, ragtime developed from a blend of African American syncopated rhythms superimposed on Western dance.  Among the most popular composers were Scott Joplin, Hubert "Eubie" Blake, James Scott, and Sophie Tucker.  The first published instrumental music to use the word "rag" was "The Mississippi Rag," published in 1897.

Blues  

"Beale Street Blues," "Alabama Moon," "The Yellow Dog Blues," and a galaxy of other 1920s melodies represent the blues, which were born and nurtured in the South.  Like ragtime, the blues had their genesis in the African American experience.

Movie Tunes

Dating from the early days of talking pictures, tunes such as "Evangeline," "Joan of Arc," and "Don't Break My Heart With Goodbye" signal the shift to a groundbreaking arena for musical composition.  Many songs for the new movie medium were composed to showcase a particular star of the period.

Fox Trots       

"The Gaby Glide," "Everybody Two-Step," and "Do the Funny Fox-Trot" illustrate a 1920s dance craze set off by two Americans who gained fame in the cafes of Paris.  Vernon and Irene Castle introduced one of the most popular ballroom dance steps of all time.

Show Tunes   

Music met machine in the early 20^th century, as Thomas Edison's "talking machine" cylinders gained popularity.  Show tunes such as "Can't You See I'm Lonely," "A Little Bit of Everything" from the Ziegfield Follies, and "Who'll Be Your Sweetheart Then?" often originated in American musical theater.  Edison's recording system allowed broad audiences to enjoy the new music.

Irving Berlin  

Although he barely read music, Irving Berlin--whose life spanned much of the 20^th century--was among the most prolific American songwriters.  In 1911, the then-23-year-old launched a spectacular career with the popularity of his major hit, "Alexander's Rag Time Band."   Over more than five decades, he would compose such all-American favorites as "White Christmas," "There's No Business Like Show Business," and "God Bless America."

War Songs     

As the United States approached World War I, music helped galvanize the nation.  President Woodrow Wilson drew on the talents of Tin Pan Alley for tunes that would rally Americans.  "Military Waltz," "My Dream of the Big Parade," and others written by composers such as Irving Berlin roused a patriotic resolve.

Opportunities

Commenting on the significance of the project, Dean Coleman stated: "Thanks to the vision and generosity of Mr. Templeton, a rare look into American life now will be available to a wide audience."

For MSU President Malcolm Portera, the archive is important to the library’s research status.  "The Templeton Archives is enhancing research opportunities available at Mississippi State’s libraries and will contribute to a university goal of achieving membership in the Association of Research Libraries," Portera said.

The Templeton Sheet Music Archive is housed in the library’s special collections department, where the original collection will continue to be available to scholars by appointment.

Special Collections may be reached by email: sp_coll@library.msstate.edu or telephone: (662) 325-7679.

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