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Roslyn Rensch papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSS 7843

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials collected by Roslyn Rensch ranging from approximately 1984 to 1994. It includes World Harp Congress newsletters, concert programs, American Harp Society directories, news clippings, and correspondence.

Dates

  • approximately 1984-1994

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Roslyn Rensch papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Roslyn Rensch (born 1923) is a harpist who has published multiple books on the harp and taught at the university level.

Roslyn Maria Rensch was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 12, 1923. Her mother, Maria, played the harp, cello, and piano from a young age. Roslyn participated in music and art activities throughout elementary school. She started lessons with Alberto Salvi, but because his concert tours kept him out of town, she took lessons from Salvi's half sister, Aida. Roslyn graduated from high school in 1941 and went to study harp with Alberto Salvi at Northwestern University. She joined Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity for women in addition to Chi Omega, a social sorority. Roslyn was elected to membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, a music honor society, and graduated with her Bachelor of Music in 1945. From Northwestern University, she went to the Juilliard School of Music to study with Marcel Grandjany for the summer. After a long summer, she went back to Northwestern to get her Master of Music degree in harp. She joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1946 and was the principal harpist for six years. She published her first book, "The Harp," in 1950 and went on to publish more. One of her most well known books is "Harps and Harpists." In 1953, Roslyn decided to get her doctorate in music and went back to Northwestern University. She got a job teaching harp at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later went to teach at the National College of Education and Indiana State University. In 1970, Roslyn married Philip Erbes, the vice-president of the Chicago-based Wrigley (Gum) Corporation. Unfortunately, in 1971, Philip had a heart attack and died. She served as the vice-president of the American Harp Soceity from 1977 to 1980. In 1988, Roslyn chose to retire early and moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia.

Extent

1 box (0.5 linear ft.)

Arrangement

Original order of the collection has been maintained.

Custodial History

Donated by Roslyn Rensch in 2000.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Roslyn Rensch; 2000.

Appraisal

Prominent Harpists, (Section IV.a.i. International Harp Collection Development Policy January 2011).

Processing Information

Processed; Lynzi Phillips; 2011.

Title
Register of Roslyn Rensch papers
Author
Lynzi Phillips
Date
2011 May 23
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States