Catherine Gotthoffer papers
Scope and Contents
Collection contains materials collected by Catherine Gotthoffer ranging from approximately 1964 to 1995. Materials include promotional photographs of Catherine as well as other prominent harpists, documents related to Marcel Grandjany, video recordings of the Grandjany video project, newsletters from Lyon and Healy in addition to the American Harp Society (AHS), and various handbooks and policy documents from AHS.
Dates
- Creation: approximately 1964-1995
Creator
- American Harp Society (contributor, Organization)
- Gotthoffer, Catherine (creator, Person)
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Catherine Gotthoffer papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical History
Catherine Gotthoffer (born 1923) was the first life member of the American Harp Society (AHS), and is a prominent freelance harpist who served as president of the AHS twice.
Catherine Gotthoffer played the violin from a young age. It wasn't until she was about ten years old that she set her eyes on the harp. She then went on to study the harp at Julliard with Marcel Grandjany. While at school, she met her husband, a trumpet player, and in 1944, she married Robert Gotthoffer. After graduation, Robert served in the Navy and left Catherine plenty of time to pursue her career as a freelance harpist in New York. After her husband's discharge, they went to Dallas to audition for the new symphony there. They were accepted and lived there for seven years, with the exception of summers spent in New York City. Catherine then got a five year contract with MGM in Hollywood and during this time, had her two children, Ann and Richard. In 1970, she started teaching at the California Institute of the Arts. In addition to her busy schedule as a freelance harpist and teacher, Catherine was also very involved in the American Harp Society. She helped to found the Los Angeles chapter and later went on to serve as the president twice, from 1968 to 1970 and from 1972 to 1976. Catherine then became the first life member of the AHS.
Extent
1 carton (1 linear ft.)
Arrangement
The original order of the collection has been maintained.
Custodial History
Donated by Catherine Gotthoffer in 1995.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; Catherine Gotthoffer; 1995.
Appraisal
Prominent Harpists, (Section IV.a.i. International Harp Collection Development Policy, January 2011).
Processing Information
Processed; Lynzi Phillips; April 2011.
Subject
- Grandjany, Marcel, 1891-1975 (Person)
- American Harp Society (Organization)
- Gotthoffer, Catherine -- Archives (Person)
Genre / Form
Occupation
Topical
- Title
- Register of Catherine Gotthoffer papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lynzi Phillips
- Date
- 2011 April 8
- 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
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States