Organ Library
First Church Unitarian, Jamaica Plain (Boston)
E. & G.G. Hook, Opus 171, 1854/1860
The organ library and archives of the Boston chapter are located at the School of Theology on the campus of Boston University. The library is a repository of music written or transcribed for the organ, as well as books pertaining to the history of organ music and organ performance and an extensive inventory of recordings. It also includes the archives and papers of notable concert organists.
The holdings, approximately 50,000 items, are available to all with an interest. The library has its own dedicated website. For complete information click here to access the library’s website.
Boston University School of Theology
Site of the Organ Library
Boston Chapter Organ Library Opened
by Barbara Owen
The American Organist, May 1986
The Organ Library and Archives of the
Boston Chapter at 30 Years
by Joseph Dyer
The American Organist, November 2013
HISTORY
The seed that eventually grew into the organ library was planted in 1975 after the death of Edward Flint, an organ scholar, writer, and consultant who had been a member of the Boston chapter. Mrs. Flint offered some books from his library to Charles Fisk, who suggested instead that the books be used to establish a library devoted to the organ. Following the 1976 AGO national convention in Boston some of the proceeds were earmarked for the implementation of a library. Other collections were donated in subsequent years, but the holdings remained of manageable size. Unfortunately, it was difficult to find a library in the area with both interest in the collection and a dedicated space for it that would allow for expansion.
In 1980 the situation changed drastically when Mrs. E. Power Biggs offered the chapter the entire library and personal papers of her late husband, E. Power Biggs, the noted recitalist and recording artist. After numerous disappointments in identifying a home for the collection, Boston University organist and Boston chapter member Max Miller orchestrated an offer for the library from the University. An agreement between the Boston chapter and the Trustees of Boston University was officially signed on August 18, 1983 and the School of Theology became the library’s home.
On a rainy day in 1984 some of the collections along with chapter archives were transferred by volunteers to the new site. Mr. Biggs’ material arrived in a moving van shortly thereafter, and the long profess of sorting, filing, and shelving by volunteers was begun. On November 24, 1984 the library was officially opened in a gala attended by a large crowd of chapter members, University officials, and visitors. Peggy Biggs, an enthusiastic supporter through the years, led the event and snipped the ribbon at the ceremony using scissors that had belonged to Mr. Biggs’ mother. Operation of the library is overseen by a committee of the Boston chapter. Carl Klein, a chapter member, is the part-time library administrator.
MISSION
The mission of the organ library and archives is to collect, preserve, and make accessible to scholars and performers its collections of works for the organ, important related literature, recordings, and other unique archival materials.
ACCESS
The library’s holdings are searchable. For details, see the official library website. To arrange a visit or submit specific questions about the collection and availability, email the library administrator, Carl Klein. The library telephone number is 617/353-9339; note that messages are only heard periodically.
MUSIC DONATIONS AND SALES
Donations of music and books inevitably contain duplicate copies of items already present in the library’s holdings. These are sold at modest prices plus the cost of postage as a service to the organ community. All proceeds are used to support the mission of the organ library.
IMPORTANT LINKS
CARL KLEIN
Organ Library Administrator
Support the Organ Library
Send a check payable to Boston Chapter AGO to Daryl Bichel, 40 Newbern St, Boston MA 02130 or
use the donate button on this website. Boston chapter members can also donate when renewing their membership.
