by African American, Entertainment
[African American] [Music] 1950s concert programs from the 5th Annual Tour of de Paur's Infantry Chorus. Spring 1951. 2 documents, 1 booklet, 24 pages, 1 program, 4 pages. Memorabilia for a popular African American WWII infantry chorus conducted by prominent African American musician Leonard de Paur. Archive consists of:
[1] Tour booklet, "5th Annual Tour de Paur's Infantry Chorus / Spring 1951." New York, Columbia Artists' Management, Inc., 1951. 24 pages, 9 x 12 in. Booklet includes an introduction to the chorus, biographies of de Paur and the soloists, and two program lists. Illustrated with more than 30 black and white photographs, including images from the chorus' tour of South America and the Caribbean, a full page photo of de Paur conducting, and portraits of the featured singers. Also included is a photograph of de Paur receiving a trophy from president of Columbia Artists Management Frederick C. Shang, Jr. in commemoration of the chorus' record breaking 180 concert tour in 1948. The booklet closes with a history of the chorus' civilian tours and a thank you to all involved on the occasion of their fifth anniversary, reading "you have truly made it all possible by inviting us to come and sing for you, to know a kind communion we find in sharing the ineffable beauty of Music. We are very grateful."
[2] Program, "The Community Concert Association Presents de Paur's Infantry Chorus." New York, Columbia Artists' Management, Inc., 1951-1952. 4 pages, 6 1/4 x 9 1/2 in. Includes a full listing of songs in the program as well as a brief background on de Paur and the Infantry Chorus. Song list is comprised of contemporary music, folk songs of Latin America, songs from World War II, Negro spirituals, and songs of faith. Among the spirituals is "No Bottom (Steamboat Song)" from the Broadway musical "John Henry", for which de Paur was the original music director. Many of the arrangements are attributed to de Paur.
Leonard de Paur was a renowned composer and choral director best known for conducting the de Paur Infantry Chorus, a part of the 372nd Infantry Regiment. The chorus, a group of thirty-five African American veterans, had its roots in World War II during which time the chorus was created to sing for American troops. During their three years of travel, the chorus gave more than 2000 concerts for the American armed forces, visiting every theater of the war. De Paur had already achieved a level of national acclaim as a conductor prior to enlisting in the United States Army Air Forces in 1942, but post-war his career and fame exploded as the de Paur Infantry Chorus embarked upon transcontinental tours and became the top performing group at Columbia Masterworks Records. The tour booklet highlights the group's perseverance and dedication, saying "No island was too small, no outpost too remote for the singing infantrymen. Sometimes they gave six shows a day -- in hospital wards, on the decks of battleships, on hidden bomber bases, in submarine pens, at drab supply bases other shows passed by. To the men of the armed forces this Infantry Chorus was the outstanding attraction of its kind..." De Paur disbanded the Infantry Chorus in 1957, though in later years he formed a new choral group and embarked upon a lengthy career with the Lincoln Center. Light wear, toning, mild dampstaining to cover. Overall very good condition. A scarce program and booklet from a famed post-WWII infantry chorus tour. (Inventory #: 20162)
[1] Tour booklet, "5th Annual Tour de Paur's Infantry Chorus / Spring 1951." New York, Columbia Artists' Management, Inc., 1951. 24 pages, 9 x 12 in. Booklet includes an introduction to the chorus, biographies of de Paur and the soloists, and two program lists. Illustrated with more than 30 black and white photographs, including images from the chorus' tour of South America and the Caribbean, a full page photo of de Paur conducting, and portraits of the featured singers. Also included is a photograph of de Paur receiving a trophy from president of Columbia Artists Management Frederick C. Shang, Jr. in commemoration of the chorus' record breaking 180 concert tour in 1948. The booklet closes with a history of the chorus' civilian tours and a thank you to all involved on the occasion of their fifth anniversary, reading "you have truly made it all possible by inviting us to come and sing for you, to know a kind communion we find in sharing the ineffable beauty of Music. We are very grateful."
[2] Program, "The Community Concert Association Presents de Paur's Infantry Chorus." New York, Columbia Artists' Management, Inc., 1951-1952. 4 pages, 6 1/4 x 9 1/2 in. Includes a full listing of songs in the program as well as a brief background on de Paur and the Infantry Chorus. Song list is comprised of contemporary music, folk songs of Latin America, songs from World War II, Negro spirituals, and songs of faith. Among the spirituals is "No Bottom (Steamboat Song)" from the Broadway musical "John Henry", for which de Paur was the original music director. Many of the arrangements are attributed to de Paur.
Leonard de Paur was a renowned composer and choral director best known for conducting the de Paur Infantry Chorus, a part of the 372nd Infantry Regiment. The chorus, a group of thirty-five African American veterans, had its roots in World War II during which time the chorus was created to sing for American troops. During their three years of travel, the chorus gave more than 2000 concerts for the American armed forces, visiting every theater of the war. De Paur had already achieved a level of national acclaim as a conductor prior to enlisting in the United States Army Air Forces in 1942, but post-war his career and fame exploded as the de Paur Infantry Chorus embarked upon transcontinental tours and became the top performing group at Columbia Masterworks Records. The tour booklet highlights the group's perseverance and dedication, saying "No island was too small, no outpost too remote for the singing infantrymen. Sometimes they gave six shows a day -- in hospital wards, on the decks of battleships, on hidden bomber bases, in submarine pens, at drab supply bases other shows passed by. To the men of the armed forces this Infantry Chorus was the outstanding attraction of its kind..." De Paur disbanded the Infantry Chorus in 1957, though in later years he formed a new choral group and embarked upon a lengthy career with the Lincoln Center. Light wear, toning, mild dampstaining to cover. Overall very good condition. A scarce program and booklet from a famed post-WWII infantry chorus tour. (Inventory #: 20162)