Clyn Barrus papers, 1996

Series — Box: 26

Identifier: UA 1226 Series 8

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Contains notes made by Clyn Barrus for the instruction of orchestra conducting technique. The materials include handouts of music for practicing conducting skills and technique. Several booklets and articles about conducting theory and practice are also included. Of special note are the itinerary for the 1996 Chamber Orchestra tour to Israel, Jordan and Egypt. Different travel arrangements, programs and group information are included along with contact information for event coordinators in the respective countries.

Dates

1996

Creator

Barrus, Clyn (creator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Restricted. Closed for 35 years from the date of creation of the records, and thereafter open to the public in accordance with the University Archives Policy.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Department of Music records must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Clyn Barrus (1943-1998) was a violist and music professor in Minnesota and Utah.

Clyn D. Barrus was born March 3, 1943, in Rexburg, Idaho, a son of Ruth and C. LaMar Barrus. From 1960-1963, Barrus studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia after which time he left to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Austria. Following his marriage to Marilyn Biddulph, the couple moved to Austria, where Barrus studied at the Vienna Academy of Music, graduating with highest honors.

Upon returning to the United States several years later, he earned a doctorate of musical arts degree from the University of Michigan. Following graduation, he was awarded the position as principal violist with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. From 1970-1972, he was the violist in the Illinois String Quartet and taught at the University of Southern Illinois. The next thirteen years were spent as principal violist with the Minnesota Orchestra where he was a frequent soloist.

While in Minnesota, he also taught viola at the University of Minnesota, played in the University string quartet and conducted the Minneapolis Civic Orchestra and the Minnesota Youth Symphony.

As a soloist and member of numerous chamber music groups, he performed across Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.

Clyn D. Barrus came to Brigham Young University in 1985, after a twenty year professional performance career that spanned the globe.

When appointed Director of Orchestras at Brigham Young University, he conducted the Philharmonic and the Chamber Orchestras, taking students on many tours throughout the world. In 1993, he was made chairman of the Department of Music, and was instrumental in changing that department into a School of Music, serving as its first director. He held that position while continuing to conduct the Chamber Orchestra, teach viola, as well as conduct the Utah Valley Symphony until August of 1997. In August 1997, Barrus became ill and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Following surgery and other treatments, Barrus passed away on February 27, 1998.