Papers of Mary Ann Danenberg, 1926-2008, undated

The papers of Emil C. Danenberg (1917-1982) and Mary Ann Danenberg (1927-2008) document the lives and careers of the Danenbergs over an 82 year period. The arrangement of the Danenberg’s papers into two subgroups—the papers of Mary Ann Danenberg and the papers of Emil C. Danenberg—does not diminish the collaborative nature of the couple’s work. Although the bulk of the materials found in the collection relate to Mary Ann’s education and professional life, significant material relating to Emil’s professional life outside of the presidency at Oberlin College can be found in the collection.

The Danenberg Papers consist of materials related to programs supported by the Danenbergs, correspondence, photographs and scrapbooks, committee minutes, lecture notes and exams, performance programs and reviews collected created by the Danenbergs during their youth and education at Oberlin College and their careers and service at Oberlin College.

The collection has been divided into two subgroups: 1. The Papers of Mary Ann Danenberg and 2. The Papers of Emil C. Danenberg. Subgroup 1 includes the following series: 1. Danenberg Oberlin-in-London Program; 2. Danenberg Residency; 3. Miscellaneous Files; 4. Photographs, which is further divided into subseries: 1. Prints and Framed Item and 2. Slides, and the final series 5. Scrapbooks.  Subgroup 2 includes the following series: 1. Professional Papers; 2. Teaching Notebooks and Files; 3. Performances; 4. Oberlin College Presidency; 5. General Correspondence; 6. Photographs and 7. Student Papers.

The scrapbooks created by Mary Ann Danenberg during her undergraduate and graduate education at Oberlin College are complete and provide insight into student life on the campus during World War II.  Materials included in these scrapbooks provide information on social activities, athletic events and performances presented by Oberlin College and include newspaper clippings that document the history of Oberlin College through a student’s perspective.

Throughout their life together Emil and Mary Ann Danenberg supported several educational and music related programs and causes. A significant program was that of the Danenberg Residency, created in 1981 as a restricted endowed fund in the Conservatory of Music that provided the residency of visiting artists at the Conservatory of Music. Residencies included performers from the Artist Recital series who taught maters classes; ensemble conductors invited for special performances; and individual performers or ensemble groups resident on campus. Papers relating to this program include account statements, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and programs and can be found in Series 2, Danenberg Residency.

Instituted as a memorial for Emil Danenberg, the Danenberg Oberlin-in-London Program was established in 1983. The Danenberg Oberlin-in-London Program was developed to provide Oberlin students the option of spending one semester at a teaching centre in London. Students that participated in the program were taught a unique curriculum by Oberlin faculty members, which provided an innovative and interdisciplinary pedagogical opportunity. Annual reports and budget reports, correspondence, and program announcements and pamphlets documenting this program can be found in Series 1. Danenberg Oberlin-in-London Program.

Emil Danenberg’s professional life outside of the presidency of Oberlin College is documented throughout the second subgroup. Prior to becoming the eleventh president of Oberlin College, Emil Danenberg taught a number of courses at the Conservatory of Music. Administrative materials relating to his position on the Conservatory faculty include Conservatory Council minutes and correspondence and a variety of materials relating to the Piano department. These materials can be found in Series 1. Professional Papers.

Additional significant materials relating to Emil Danenberg’s role as a faculty member and teacher can be found in Series 2. Teaching Notebooks and Files. Materials include lecture notes, handouts and exams for the Piano Literature course taught at Oberlin College and several other colleges throughout the United States. Such material provides insight into the courses taught by faculty at Oberlin College and their methods of teaching.

The years of Danenberg’s presidency of Oberlin College are best documented by his presidential papers, Record Group 2/11, in the Oberlin College Archives. The materials found in this collection relate primarily to Emil’s first year as president and include correspondence relating to his appointment as president of the college, newspaper clippings and a scrapbook containing clippings, correspondence and photographs. These materials can be found in Series 4. Oberlin College Presidency.

Emil Danenberg’s career as a pianist is documented in Series 3. Performances and materials include programs and recital reviews from Emil’s performances.