Collection Summary
Loretta C. Manggrum Papers
1941-1992
1941-1984
1941-1992
1941-1984
ML31.M2133
Manggrum, L. C. (Loretta Cessor)
approximately 150 items
4 containers
1.5 linear feet
English
Collection material in English
Music Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Loretta C. Manggrum was a Black American
pianist, composer, and music educator best known for her sacred cantatas and choral
works. She was the first Black student to enroll at the Cincinnati Conservatory of
Music and graduated in 1953 at age 57 before starting a career teaching music
in Cincinnati. The collection consists largely of scores for choral and piano solo works, as
well as a small amount of other materials that document her life and career.
Acquisition Information
Gift, Loretta Manggrum, 1987. Additional materials received in 1988.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing History
Music Division staff processed the Loretta C. Manggrum Papers during the 1990s. Anthony
Edwards and Christopher Hartten coded the finding aid in 2021.
Other Repositories
The Amistad Research Center at Tulane University holds a small collection of scores,
clippings, and audio materials gifted by Manggrum in 1984.
Copyright Status
Materials from the Loretta C. Manggrum Papers are governed by the Copyright Law of the
United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
Access and Restrictions
The Loretta C. Manggrum Papers are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact
the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials
will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions on using or copying materials may apply.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:
[item, date, container or reel or digital ID number], Loretta C. Manggrum Papers, Music
Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1896 July 28
Born in Gallipolis, Ohio, to John Cessor and Lillian Jane Fitch
1902
Played piano at her Sunday School at the local African Methodist Episcopal
church
circa 1911
Joined a trio playing at several 'white' hotels around Huntington, West
Virginia, earning 25 to 35 dollars per week
1918
Married William Manggrum in Cabell County, West Virginia. The couple moved
first to Milwaukee, then to Pittsburgh, where William studied pharmacy
1926
Moved with family to Cincinnati, Ohio
1935
Opened a drugstore where the whole family worked
1945
Completed high school diploma
1951
Earned Bachelor of Music degree from Ohio State University
Became the first Black student to enroll at the Cincinnati Conservatory of
Music
1953
Earned her Master of Music degree in composition from the Cincinnati Conservatory of
Music at age 57, the first Black student to do so
1955
Death of William Manggrum
1958
Premier of
Watch
, a 90-minute cantata
1961
1971
Taught music full time at Garfield Elementary School, Cincinnati
1976
Returned to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music for doctoral studies, but
only incidentally, to work toward a PhD at age 80
1978
Named Woman of the Year by
The Cincinnati Enquirer
1986
Conferred an honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Cincinnati,
recognizing her contributions to the field of music and to the city of
Cincinnati
1992 May 11
Died in Hamilton, Ohio
1992
Buried next to her husband in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington, West
Virginia
2010
Eric Oliver founded the Loretta C. Manggrum Chorale in Cincinnati to honor his
mentor and ensure that the music of Manggrum and other African American composers
continue to be performed
Scope and Content Note
[Music](ead10001) in the Loretta C.
Manggrum Papers consists entirely of manuscript and printed scores for sacred works,
songs, and piano solos composed between 1942 and 1984. These include materials for her
seven cantatas, most notably
Watch
, a 1957 work that was performed nationally. Many of Manggrum's compositions are
self-published and accompanied by handwritten notes or occassional enclosures, such as
programs or lyric sheets. The collection also contains a small amount of [Miscellany](ead10044), including one
scrapbook, that document her color-barrier breaking experience studying music and
subsequent accomplishments as a Black female composer and educator.
Organization of the Loretta C. Manggrum Papers
The collection is arranged in two series:
-
[Music,
1942-1984](ead10001)
-
[Miscellany,
1941-1992](ead10044)
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Manggrum, L. C. (Loretta Cessor).
Manggrum, L. C. (Loretta Cessor). Works. Selections.
Manggrum, L.C. (Loretta Cessor)--Autographs.
Subjects
African Americans--Music--History and criticism.
Cantatas, Sacred.
Gospel music.
Piano music.
Women composers, Black--Biography.
Titles
Loretta Manggrum collection
Form/Genre
Albums (Books)
Autographs (Manuscripts)
Biographies.
Cantatas.
Gospel music.
Scores.
Catalog Record: [https://lccn.loc.gov/2013572140]
Container List
Music, 1942-1984
1942-1984
This series chiefly contains manuscript and printed scores for choral
arrangements, songs, and solo piano works by Manggrum. Many titles include
handwritten notes about the works. The dates of composition listed tend to reflect
copyright dates present on the scores, most of which are self-published.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
1/1
Alone,
undated
undated
Score for SSA chorus
1/2
Behold, 1968, 1975, and
undated
1968,
1975, and undated
Four scores for SATB chorus and piano;
notes
1/3
Blessed Is the Man,
1976 and undated
1976 and undated
Three scores for narrator, SATB chorus, and piano;
notes
1/4
Can't You See, 1983
1983
Score for soloists, SATB chorus, and piano;
sketches; notes
1/5
Christ Our Lord, 1953, 1981
1953, 1981
Two scores for soloists, SATB chorus and piano;
notes
1/6
Expression, 1984
1984
Score for piano
1/7
Four Spiritual Songs, 1976
1976
Score for SATB chorus and piano
1/8
God Is Our Refuge, 1978
1978
Two scores for SATB chorus and piano
1/9
The Hand Writing, 1944
1944
Score for SATB chorus and piano
1/10
Happy and Gay, 1980
1980
Score for piano
1/11
He Knows, 1942
1942
Score for soprano and SSA chorus; chorus part;
notes
1/12
How I Remember, 1943
1943
Score for SATB chorus
1/13
I Got a Robe, 1981 and undated
1981 and
undated
Two scores for SATB chorus
1/14
I Will Love Thee, 1976 and undated
1976 and
undated
Two scores for SATB chorus and piano
1/15
I'll Be Alright, 1968
1968
Two scores for solo, SATB chorus, and piano;
notes
1/16
I'm Just Wondering, 1943
1943
Score for solo and SATB chorus
1/17
I'm Looking Up, 1943
1943
Score for solo and SATB chorus
2/1
Innocent Blood, 1973
1973
Two scores for narrator, SATB chorus, and piano;
three drafts (incomplete); notes
2/2
The Lord Is My Shepherd, 1978 and undated
1978 and
undated
Three scores for voice and piano
2/3
Master Redeemer, 1944
1944
Score for SATB chorus and piano; notes
2/4
Melody in Octaves, 1981
1981
Score for piano
2/5
Misunderstood, 1947
1947
Score for solo, SATB chorus, and piano
2/6
A New Song, 1957
1957
Score for SATB chorus
2/7
Oh Yes There's Trouble Everywhere,
1942
1942
Score for chorus and piano
2/8
Piano Variations,
undated
undated
Score for piano
2/9
Prayer, 1942
1942
Score for chorus
2/10
Rippling Waves, 1980
1980
Score for piano; notes
2/11
Roaming, 1980
1980
Score for piano
2/12
Savior Again We Meet, 1944
1944
Score for SATB chorus
2/13
Skipping, 1981
1981
Score for piano
2/14
Spend a Little Time with Jesus,
1974
1974
Score for voice and piano; sketches
2/25
There'll Be a Great Meeting Day,
1947
1947
Score for SATB chorus
2/16
There's a Cross, 1978 and undated
1978 and
undated
Score for SATB chorus; sketches
2/17
They Have Seen Jesus, 1979: undated
1979:
undated
Two score for narrator, SATB chorus, and piano;
notes
2/18
A Tree, 1971, 1979
1971,
1979
Two scores for voice and piano; notes
2/19
Walk with God, 1954
1954
Score for SATB chorus and piano
3/1-2
Watch, 1957
1957
Two scores for soloists, SATB chorus, and piano;
notes; program; lyrics
3/3
What a Morning, 1960-1980
1960-1980
Two scores for SATB chorus
3/4
What Would You Do?, 1978; undated
1978;
undated
Two scores for SSA chorus
Miscellany, 1941-1992
1941-1992
This series consists of articles, programs, one scrapbook, and a variety of other
items pertaining to Manggrum's life and career.
Arranged by subject.
4/1
Articles, 1978-1992
1978-1992
4/2
Miscellany, 1988-1992
1988-1992
Memorial service program; correspondence;
notes
4/3-4
Programs, 1951-1992
1951-1992
4
Scrapbook, 1941-1987
1941-1987