A Mu Phi Epsilon library has been in existence in some form or another within the first ten years or so of the organization's founding in 1903. Much of the organizing and housing of the library and archival materials fell on the shoulders of the various International Presidents, and thus, as new presidents were elected, so went the materials. One of the first concerted efforts to provide a finding aid for library materials came in 1954 (just after our 50th anniversary) when Norma Lee Madsen printed the first edition of the Mu Phi Epsilon Composers & Authors. Several supplements followed. Ruth Watanabe provided additional material to this finding aid in 1960 and in 1962, Esther Wiedower printed a second full edition, followed by a third in 1972. A supplement later, and then in our Centennial year of 2003, Wendy Sistrunk published a much enlarged two-volume edition of the now titled Mu Phi Epsilon Composers & Authors. Wendy is currently working on its update, on creating a discography of Mu Phi Epsilon performers, on providing full-level cataloging in WorldCat for materials in the Library, and on creating a finding aid for what archival materials are known to exist. The Library materials (books, scores, sound recordings, video recordings, periodicals) were transferred to their current location in 2000, and much of the archival materials (administrative materials, photos, ephemera, and other objects) were sent to the Library (now Library & Archives) in 2003 and 2014, with items continuing to trickle in. We encourage members of Mu Phi Epsilon to donate materials to the Library & Archives. See the Contact information for details.
Why all the fuss?
For one thing, all members of Mu Phi Epsilon, be they collegiates or alumni, are encouraged to perform works composed by Mu Phis. This is not a very hard thing to do, because Mu Phi Epsilon has had a very rich tradition of encouraging our composers to compose and performers to perform, offering vetted contests, prizes, scholarships, and retreats. For another, Mu Phi Epsilon began as a women's organization, and as such, was an early supporter of women in their professional pursuits of composition, performance, and pedagogy, one of few organizations to do so. We have amongst our legion some very famous women from the early days and today, and since 1976, we have been very pleased to include men in our ranks. However, even the most humble of church organists or grade-school teachers are to be celebrated. Be authors known or unknown, there are some materials in the Library that have never been published. It is my pleasure to provide you with a means of discovering our treasures!
Loaning Library Materials
The fraternity’s Library and Archives is not a lending library, but I am always pleased to assist any collegiate or alumni member who wishes to access it for research or to find music by a Mu Phi composer. Although many of our holdings are no longer in print or otherwise available for purchase, we must still be diligent and observe Federal copyright laws as they apply. Limited-use access to such materials may be possible through me, or public and university libraries may own copies that can be borrowed through inter-library loan. Some of our print holdings are now in the public domain (published 1923 or before) or are Mu Phi Epsilon property because of previous contest submission rules, and these can be made more widely available. I will gladly provide guidance on the best way to obtain what you’re looking for. (And do make sure you give attribution on your programs to our members of Mu Phi Epsilon!) Please come to me with your questions! I would rather you ask than give up!
And who am I? Check out my credentials here :)
Why all the fuss?
For one thing, all members of Mu Phi Epsilon, be they collegiates or alumni, are encouraged to perform works composed by Mu Phis. This is not a very hard thing to do, because Mu Phi Epsilon has had a very rich tradition of encouraging our composers to compose and performers to perform, offering vetted contests, prizes, scholarships, and retreats. For another, Mu Phi Epsilon began as a women's organization, and as such, was an early supporter of women in their professional pursuits of composition, performance, and pedagogy, one of few organizations to do so. We have amongst our legion some very famous women from the early days and today, and since 1976, we have been very pleased to include men in our ranks. However, even the most humble of church organists or grade-school teachers are to be celebrated. Be authors known or unknown, there are some materials in the Library that have never been published. It is my pleasure to provide you with a means of discovering our treasures!
Loaning Library Materials
The fraternity’s Library and Archives is not a lending library, but I am always pleased to assist any collegiate or alumni member who wishes to access it for research or to find music by a Mu Phi composer. Although many of our holdings are no longer in print or otherwise available for purchase, we must still be diligent and observe Federal copyright laws as they apply. Limited-use access to such materials may be possible through me, or public and university libraries may own copies that can be borrowed through inter-library loan. Some of our print holdings are now in the public domain (published 1923 or before) or are Mu Phi Epsilon property because of previous contest submission rules, and these can be made more widely available. I will gladly provide guidance on the best way to obtain what you’re looking for. (And do make sure you give attribution on your programs to our members of Mu Phi Epsilon!) Please come to me with your questions! I would rather you ask than give up!
And who am I? Check out my credentials here :)
~ Wendy Sistrunk
International Librarian
Archives Chair
International Librarian
Archives Chair