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Benjamin Grobani papers

 Collection
Identifier: PIMS-0036

Scope and Contents

The Benjamin Grobani papers (1885-1965) contain a large collection of published and manuscript Jewish sacred music, personal papers, and concert programs. Series 1 contains scores of mostly Jewish sacred music. Series 2 includes personal papers, most of which are related to the Curtis Institute from 1929 to 1933. Also included in the series are concert programs arranged by city and date. Most notable are signed programs from Fritz Kreisler (1923) and Josef Hofmann (1928) and a collection of programs from the New York City Town Hall concert series ranging from 1931 to at least 1958.

Dates

  • Creation: 1885-1965

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for use at the Peabody Archives.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or perform materials in this collection must be submitted in writing to the archivist of the Arthur Friedheim Library.

Biographical / Historical

Benjamin Grobani was a music teacher, composer, and cantor in the Baltimore Jewish community. Born in 1903 in Berdichev, Ukraine, Grobani moved to the United States with his family at the age of 11. They settled in New York, where he sang as a boy soprano soloist with the choir of Cantor Joseph Rosenblatt. Grobani began his teaching career in Philadelphia, where he served the Kneseth Israel Congregation as cantor for nine years. He also sang baritone with the Philadelphia Grand Opera and the Robin Hood Dell Opera Company. Grobani then moved to Baltimore, where he served as cantor for the Oheb Shalom congregation from 1941 to 1967. During his career, Grobani sang on several radio programs, performed on concert tours, and composed and published cantorial music. He was the second president of the American Conference of Cantors and head of the local organization of cantors. His work earned him the Henrietta Szold Award of the Oheb Shalom brotherhood. He died in 1987.

Extent

4.55 Cubic Feet (10 full-size letter boxes, 1 full-size legal box, 1 large flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Benjamin Grobani was a music teacher, composer, and cantor in the Baltimore Jewish community. The Grobani papers include a large collection of Jewish sacred music scores, personal papers, and concert programs.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the family of Benjamin Grobani in 1994.

Processing Information

Processed by Scott A. Miller in 2015.

Title
Benjamin Grobani papers
Author
Kerri Sheehan
Date
2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Peabody Archives Repository

Contact:
Peabody Institute
1 E. Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore MD 21202 USA