Finding Aid for Frances Carter and Marjorie Moore Research Files on John Philip Sousa, 1849-2007 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Chanelle Davis, Gabriel Foster, Rebecca Hirsch, Sarah McCullough, Mitchel Meyerhoff, Emily Morgan, Jialu Qin, Adam Unger, Joseph Van Lieshout, Deborah Walters, Maia Perez

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Collection Overview

Title: Frances Carter and Marjorie Moore Research Files on John Philip Sousa, 1849-2007

ID: 12/9/179

Primary Creator: Moore Carter, Frances (1925-2022)

Other Creators: Moore, Marjorie Deane (1922-1972)

Extent: 8.0 cubic feet

Arrangement: Organized in three series: 1. Moore-Carter Photographs, Research Files, and Personal Papers of John Philip Sousa, 1888-2007. 2. John Philip Sousa Family Papers, 1900-1937. 3. Sousa Marine and Civilian Band and Sousa Band Fraternal Society Records, 1849-1971. The contents of each series and subseries are arranged chronologically, with the exception of oversized materials, which are arranged chronologically in boxes 19-22.

Date Acquired: 05/27/2023

Subjects: Band Musicians, film music, Film Scripts, Hollywood, Marines, United States, Military Bands, Military History, Military Music, Movie music, Music - United States, Navy, United States, Sousa, John Philip, United States Marine Band, World War I - Military Operations

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of letters, photographs, handwritten drafts of manuscripts, band pins, scores, and magazines documenting materials collected by John Philip Sousa's family members and used for research purposes by Marjorie Moore and Frances Moore Carter.

Collection Historical Note

Marjorie Deane Moore, born in 1922, was the first female archivist for the U.S. Marine Band in the early 1950s. A publicist by trade, she worked as a technical advisor for the 1952 film Stars and Stripes Forever. Her first brush with John Philip Sousa’s legacy was in her childhood hometown of Washington, D.C., where she grew up watching parades on Pennsylvania Ave., which would often perform Sousa’s marches. After attending Barnard College, the University of Michigan, and New York University, Marjorie traveled to California post-WWII to become a lighting manager in Hollywood, and then a publicist in her own firm. She then enlisted in the Marine Corps and found a job that reflected her background as the publicist for the U.S. Marine Band. She began work on a history of the Marine Band during John Philip Sousa’s tenure as conductor from 1880-1892, using materials in the Library of Congress archives.

Her research and expertise on Sousa, combined with her engaging personality and publicity background, led her to become the technical advisor for the film Stars and Stripes Forever, consulting on everything from wardrobe choices to the portrayal of John Philip Sousa’s personality. Around this time, she began corresponding with Sousa’s daughters, Jane Priscilla Sousa and Helen Sousa Abert. Their bond grew over the years, and the sisters encouraged Marjorie to write a biography of John Philip Sousa, to serve comprehensively alongside Sousa’s 1928 autobiography Marching Along. Marjorie passed away suddenly in 1972, leaving her research notes, manuscripts, and material on Sousa to her sister, Frances Moore Carter.

Frances Moore Carter was born in Washington, D.C. in 1925 and was the younger sister of Marjorie Moore. Frances, along with Marjorie, grew up listening to Sousa’s marches on the radio and during school events. She received her PhD. in Education in 1978 from the University of Pennsylvania, and became an adjunct professor at Villanova University and St. Joseph’s University. After retiring in 1990, Fran discovered her sister’s research on John Phillip Sousa and continued the work on the Sousa biography her sister started. Frances was able to complete several chapters of the book, but had to stop her work because of her health. Frances Moore Carter passed away on August 1st, 2022, and her children honored her wish to have the Sousa collection materials be brought to the Sousa Archives at the University of Illinois.

John Philip Sousa was born in 1854 in Washington, D.C. At the age of 13, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Band as an apprentice musician, following in the musical footsteps of his father. Sousa remained a band musician until 1875, when he was discharged. Sousa returned to the Marine Band in 1880, where he served as the band’s director until 1892. Under Sousa’s leadership, the Marine Band expanded its tour’s reach beyond the nation’s capital and became the finest military band in the world. However, Sousa decided to leave the Marine Band director position, urged by his manager, David Blakely, to form his own civilian band, the John Philip Sousa Band. The Sousa Band performed transcontinentally from 1892-1931. Due to the constant touring of the Sousa Band, John Philip Sousa was often away from home, which was a source of tension between him and his family. The personal correspondence, in the Frances Carter and Marjorie Moore Sousa Research Files collection, between Sousa and his wife and children document these family dynamics.

Biographical Note

Frances Moore Carter (1925-2022) was born in Washington D.C. to parents, Joel and Ora Moore. During WWII, she attended college at William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, serving as the Chairman for the Women's Students' Cooperative Government and receiving a dual BA degree in English and history. After graduating in 1947, she married Richard Carter, who had served in the Army Air Corps. The couple had three children—Karen, Marcia, and Richard Jr.—in the subsequent years.

In the mid-1950s, Frances Carter's sister, Marjorie, became the publicist and historian for the Marine Band. Marjorie wrote an article on Sousa that was included in the November 1954 issue of Music Journal, which was based on primary source evidence that was maintained by Sousa's daughters, Helen and Jane Priscilla. Shortly after composing this article, the Moore sisters began collaborating on a book project with the Sousa daughters, but the project was never completed.

In 1967, Carter became the director of the Springfield (PA) School District's Title IX program. Soon after, she began teaching elementary grades in the Chester Upland (PA) School District. She received her MA in English from West Chester University in 1972 and earned her PhD in Education six years later at the University of Pennsylvania. Following this she served as an adjunct faculty member at both Villanova and St. Joseph's Universities. In 1989, Carter established an educational foundation for students in Chester, PA. She retired in 1990.

Subject/Index Terms

Band Musicians
film music
Film Scripts
Hollywood
Marines, United States
Military Bands
Military History
Military Music
Movie music
Music - United States
Navy, United States
Sousa, John Philip
United States Marine Band
World War I - Military Operations

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Access Restrictions: Please note that the photobook in Box 22 is currently restricted as it undergoes remediation from asbestos and will remain restricted until photos are safely removed from the book. Photos have been scanned, and samples can be requested in the meantime.

Acquisition Source: Materials were donated to the Sousa Archives by Richard Carter of Springfield, Pennsylvania on May 27, 2023. The donation was coordinated by Marcia Wood.

Acquisition Method: Gift

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Photographs, Research Files, and Personal Papers, 1888-2007],
[Series 2: John Philip Sousa Family Papers, 1900-1937],
[Series 3: Sousa Marine and Civilian Band and Sousa Band Fraternal Society Records, 1849-1971],
[All]

Series 3: Sousa Marine and Civilian Band and Sousa Band Fraternal Society Records, 1849-1971

Consists of photographs, correspondence, papers, band rosters, tour information, newsclippings, and other materials documenting the U.S. Marine Band, the Sousa Band, and the Sousa Band Fraternal Society, collected as part of Moore and Carter's research on them. This Series consists of Sub-Series 1: U.S. Marine Band Records; Sub-Series 2: Sousa Civilian Band Records; and Sousa Band Fraternal Society Records.

Sub-Series 1: U.S. Marine Band Records, 1849-1971

Consists of correspondence, band rosters and programs, enlistment papers, newsclippings and articles, and other records documenting the history of the U.S. Marine Band. Arranged chronologically.

Box 6

Folder 6: "The President's Musical Marines" by Henry F. Pringle, 1951
Folder 7: U.S. Marine Band Correspondence, undated

Box 16

Folder 6: Marine Band Bill for Music, 1849
Folder 7: Telegram Sending Marine Band to the President's House, 1865
Folder 8: U.S. Marine Band Programs, 1867-1951
Folder 9: John Philip Sousa Enlistment Papers, 1868-1872
Folder 10: Louis Kruger U.S Marine Band Military Records, Citizenship Papers, and Correspondence, 1871-1934
Folder 11: U.S. Marine Band History, 1875-1953: Consists of documents that give a brief history of the U.S. Marine Band, the Marine Band Hymn, and the Marine Band uniforms.
Folder 12: Member Lists of the U.S. Marine Band, 1877-1955
Folder 13: Contract Between Henry Coleman and J.P. Sousa, 1890
Folder 14: U.S. Marine Band Programs and Tour Information, 1891-1907
Folder 15: Newspaper Clippings, Correspondence, Writings, and Photograph of and about Santelmann, 1900-1953
Folder 16: U.S. Marine Band: Its History & Organization, Undated
Folder 17: U.S. Marine Band Rosters, Undated

Box 17

Folder 1: Photographs, Slide, Correspondence, Newspaper Clippings, Writings - Santelmann, 1904-1954: Consists of documents about William F. Santelmann.
Folder 2: Menu for the U.S. Marine Band, 1909: Consists of a luncheon menu for the U.S. Marine Band on October 20, 1909.
Folder 3: U.S. Marine Band Coast to Coast Tour Itinerary, 1912: Consists of an itinerary prepared for the U.S. Marine Band Coast to Coast Tour of 1912, with pencil edits.
Folder 4: U.S. Marine Band News Clipping and Programs, 1915-1929: Consists of a newspaper clipping and performance programs of the U.S. Marine Band.
Folder 5: Navy Assignment Letter to J. P. Sousa, 1920: Consists of a letter from the Navy Department, Bureau of Navigation on February 24, 1920, to John Philip Sousa concerning his assignment of rank and grade.
Folder 6: The United States Marine Band: Its History and Achievements, 1925: Consists of two copies of a booklet with the U.S. Marine Band's history and achievements.
Folder 7: Newsclippings of Santelmanns retirement, 1927
Folder 8: U.S. Marine Band concert advertisements, 1929
Folder 9: The Marine Band advertising booklets, 1945-1957
Folder 10: U.S Marine Band press releases, 1950
Folder 11: Marine Band 153rd birthday announcement, 1951
Folder 12: U.S. Marine Band Correspondence, 1952-1955
Folder 13: The Army-Navy-Air Force Register, 1953
Folder 14: Presidential Hit Parade script, 1954
Folder 15: Albert Schoepper announcement, ca. 1955
Folder 16: Marine Band Library advertisement, ca. 1971

Box 18

Folder 4: L. M. Kruger, Musician, U.S. Marine Band, 1878: Consists of copies of the enlistment, discharge, and naturalization/citizenship papers of Louis M. Kruger, member of U.S. Marine Band.
Folder 5: U.S. Congressional Bills H.R. 2241, 54th Congress, 1st session & H.R. 7147, 52nd Congress, 1st session, Dec. 1895: Consists of U.S. Congress House bills for the retirement of Francis Scala, U.S. Marine Band conductor before Sousa
Folder 6: Investigation Transcript, Sept. 1914: Consists of a transcript of court proceedings in a case of discrimination between U.S. Marine Band Leader William H. Santelmann, Second Leader Walter F. Smith, and a member of the U.S. Marine Band in 1914.
Folder 7: Photographs, Correspondance, Articles, and Personal Papers- William F. Santelmann, 1951-1955: Consists of papers relating to Santelmann, 21st Director of the U.S. Marine Band
Folder 8: Newspaper Articles Regarding Sousa's Great-Grandson Conducting U.S. Marine Band, 1958: Consists of newspaper articles and pictures of John Philip Sousa IV conducting the U.S. Marine Band

Sub-Series 2: Sousa Civilian Band Records, 1892-1927

Consists of photographs and prints, rosters, contracts, travel documents programs and advertising, pins, and other materials documenting the Sousa Band during national and international tours. Arranged chronologically.

Box 6

Folder 8: Sousa Band Tour Photographs: Consists of cardboard prints of Sousa and band members on tour. Pittsburg, PA and Hamburg, Germany

Box 17

Folder 17: Letter to Edward Williams from J.P. Sousa, 1892
Folder 18: Edward Williams contract with Sousa's New Marine Band, 1892
Folder 19: Edward Williams contract for Sousa's New Marine Band, 1892
Folder 20: Small original sketch of Sousa, 1892
Folder 21: Edward A. Williams Travel Documents & Maud Powell Portrait, 1892-1910
Folder 22: E.A. Williams Marine Band Contract, 1893
Folder 23: Program and advertising booklet, 1895-1901
Folder 24: Note on Sousa Band office letterhead, 1897
Folder 25: Sousa Band Tours, 1900-1902
Folder 26: Note from Charles Frederil about supper at Windsor, 1902
Folder 27: "Around the World with Sousa" poem by Edmund Wall, ca. 1910
Folder 28: Around the World Tour programs, fliers, & itineraries, 1910-1911
Folder 29: Tour of the United Kingdom time table, 1911
Folder 30: Photographs of Edward Williams, 1926-1927
Folder 31: Sousa Band Roster & List of Works, undated

Box 18

Folder 10: Photograph of Sousa and his Band, 1900: Consists of a print of Sousa and his band in Hamburg, Germany while on World Tour in 1900
Folder 11: 1907 Tour train schedule and programs, 1907: Consists of train schedule, performance program, and Elks Lodge program from the 1907 national tour.
Item 1: Commemorative Band Pin, Undated: Consists of pin commemorating a Sousa Band tour. Red-White striped badge with eagle emblazed on cover. "Sousa" written on banner under eagle.
Item 2: Commemorative Band Pin, Undated: Consists of a green wreath-wrapped globe pin with "SOUSA" across the front. "SOUSA" is written in gold over a blue background.
Item 3: Commemorative Band Pin, 1910-1911: Consists of a gold pin with "ROUND THE WORLD WITH SOUSA 1910-1911" writing on the front. There is a design in the center of two figures surrounding two globes and playing an instrument.
Item 4: Sousa Bands Scrapbook, 1892: Consists of newspaper clippings, photos, and tour schedules and programs related to Sousa Civilian Band and U.S. Marine Band members.

Oversize Portfolio Case 1: 1900 Paris Exposition map

Sub-Series 3: Sousa Band Fraternal Society Records, 1948-1960

Consists of photographs, programs, newsletters, advertisment, and other materials documenting the Sousa Band Fraternal Society. Arranged chronologically.

Box 17

Folder 32: Photographs and Funeral Program for Herbert Lincoln Clarke, 1948
Folder 33: Sousa Band Fraternal Society News, 1949-1956
Folder 34: 11th Annual J.P. Sousa Memorial Concert flyer, 1952
Folder 35: Sousa Band Fraternal Society Programs, 1953-1954
Folder 36: Sousa Band Fraternal Society News, 1954
Folder 37: Sousa Band Society News, 1958-1960