Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1928-1976 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Biographical history
Victor Nicholas Alessandro was born in Waco, Texas, on November 27, 1915. His father, also named Victor Alessandro (1883-1971), was a conductor and music teacher. Alessandro grew up in Houston, Texas. He studied at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, the American Academy in Rome, and the Salzburg Mozarteum. Alessandro married flutist Ruth Drisko in 1956, and had two children, Victor Tabbut Alessandro and Ruth Ann Alessandro. Alessandro passed away on November 27, 1976 of emphysema.
In 1938 he became the conductor of the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra. He returned to Texas in 1951 to lead the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, and led the ensemble until his retirement in 1976. Alessandro received honors the National Association for American Composers and Conductors and the 1956 Alice M. Ditson Award for service to American music. He received honorary doctorates from the University of Rochester, Southwestern University, and Southern Methodist University.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The collection contains the papers of Victor Alessandro, conductor of the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, including documents related to musical performances, records from the library of the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, music-related ephemera, clippings related to the San Antonio Symphony, and scores and sheet music with significant annotation by Alessandro. Series 1 contains documents related to musical performances, including notes, correspondence, photographs, blueprints, clippings, and sheet music. Series 2 contains records from the San Antonio Symphony's library, including inventories and annual reports from the librarian. Series 3 contains clippings and ephemera related to the Symphony. Series 4 consists of scores and sheet music with significant annotation by Alessandro.
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged in four series. Series 1 includes documents related to musical performances, arranged alphabetically by composer. Series 2 includes records from the San Antonio Symphony's library, arranged chronologically. Series 3 contains clippings and ephemera, arranged chronologically. Series 4 consists of scores and sheet music with significant annotation, arranged alphabetically by composer.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
This collection is open and available to the public for research in the Special Collections & Archives reading room. The materials are non-circulating.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
The materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). The materials are available for personal, educational, and scholarly use. It is the responsibility of the researcher to locate and obtain permission from the copyright owner or his or her heirs for any other use, such as reproduction and publication.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Part of the Victor Alessandro Library, gifted to Trinity University by Jane and Arthur Stieren in 1980.
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
These archival materials are a part of the larger Victor Alessandro Library, gifted to Trinity University by Jane and Arthur Stieren in 1980. The bulk of the library consisted of scores, recordings, and books on music. These items were added to the library's general holdings, and can be searched via the library catalog. In general, Alessandro stamped the books and scores in his collection with his name, making them readily identifiable.
Related descriptions
Notes element
Specialized notes
- Citation: Victor Alessandro Papers. Coates Library Special Collections & Archives, Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas).
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
DACS.
Sources used
Archivist's note
Processed by Colleen Hoelscher, October 2021.
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Alessandro, Victor (Subject)
- San Antonio Symphony Orchestra (Subject)
- Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra (Subject)