Creighton Allen Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection contains materials related to the music and career of Creighton Allen. The scrapbook, sheet music, correspondence and various documents were part of the estate of Dr. Seymour Gitenstein, a pupil and colleague of Creighton Allen.
One folder contains correspondence between Creighton Allen and Dr. Gitenstein. Other folders contain the miscellaneous correspondence of Dr. Gitenstein, including many handwritten letters from Creighton’s sister, Polly Crockett.
The scrapbook, which includes programs, ticket stubs, newspaper clippings and other memorabilia, begins with a program for his debut piano recital at Aeolian Hall on February 18, 1927 and ends with a program for The Edward MacDowell Memorial Concert on December 17, 1940. For preservation purposes, a photocopy has been made of the scrapbook on acid-free paper. The original front and back covers of the scrapbook have been retained and placed in an acid-free paper envelope. Much of the memorabilia was removed from the original pages of the scrapbook and can be found in Box 2 of the collection.
The collection also contains sheet music of several Creighton Allen compositions, a few of which have been signed by the composer.
Dates
- Creation: 1917-2006
Creator
- Allen, Creighton, 1900-1969 (Person)
- Gitenstein, Seymour (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Reproduction of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Provision of photocopies or digital reproductions does not constitute permission to publish, distribute, provide internet access to, or otherwise display images of materials in this collection. Copyright is retained by the lawful copyright holder, and it is the responsibility of the permission seeker to contact and secure permission from the copyright holder. Where copyright permission is not granted, images are only for use in private study subject to the Fair Use exceptions made in U.S. Copyright Law.
Biographical / Historical
Creighton Allen was born on March 26, 1900 to William F. and Alice Creighton Allen in Macon, Mississippi. He had ten brothers and sisters, Ben, John, Ed, Willie, Polly, Nell, Rita, Ruth, Louise and Sue.
At the age of four, Creighton began playing music by ear on the piano, and at seven, he began taking piano lessons from Ms. Edna Bush. He performed in public for the first time at age nine, and as a teenager, Creighton played the piano for silent movies at a theater.
During his senior year of high school, he moved to Shreveport, Louisiana to become the musical director of an orchestra and Director of Foster’s School of Music for Young Ladies. In Shreveport, he met noted pianist Harold Bauer. In 1921, Creighton moved to New York to study with Bauer, Josef Hoffman and other distinguished artists. He performed his debut piano recital at Aeolian Hall on February 18, 1927.
Creighton Allen composed over 300 works, including the piano solo "American Cake Walk" and the song "Eldorado".
Extent
1.05 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Creighton Allen, born in Macon, Mississippi, was a pianist and composer. The collection contains a scrapbook, correspondence, sheet music and miscellaneous documents.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into three boxes. The first box contains correspondence and various documents. The second box contains the memorabilia that was removed from the scrapbook after it was photocopied. The third box contains sheet music of compositions by Creighton Allen and the photocopy of the scrapbook as well as its original front and back covers.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by the estate of Dr. Seymour Gitenstein via Barbara Gitenstein through Ann Scofield
Photograph Log
- Title
- Creighton Allen Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Amanda McRaney
- Date
- October 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345
