Biographical Sketch

R. (Raymond) Huntington Woodman was born January 18, 1861 and died December 25, 1943. He studied with Dudley Buck and Cesar Franck. He became organist at the First Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn in 1880, which post he held until 1941. He was also active as a teacher and recitalist and compiled the Packer Songs in 1916.

The materials in the collection are documents retained by Woodman during his professional and personal life, passing down through the family ultimately to his granddaughter, Winifred Curtis Stebbins of Bailey Island, Maine, who presented them to Sibley Music Library.

 

Scope and Content

The documents include letters by Woodman pertinent to his professional life as a distinguished organist and other related affairs and ephemera such as receipts for goods and services. A photocopy of one composition by Woodman is included. The materials provide an insight into the daily routine of a professionally very active musician during the first half of the twentieth century.

 

Restrictions and Use

There are no restrictions on the use of the collection.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SERIES

I. Personal Papers

The collection is organized in one series of personal papers containing to sub-series of correspondence and ephemera. A large group of the letters relate to Woodman’s retirement after sixty years as organist of the First Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn. The ephemera include receipts, subscription notices, and other miscellaneous items.

INVENTORY

Box 1

Sub-series Correspondence

folder 1	Correspondence 1890’s
folder 2	Correspondence 1920’s
folder 3	Correspondence relating to broadcast recital January 31, 1924
folder 4	Correspondence 1930’s
folder 5	Correspondence 1940’s
folder 6	Correspondence relating to retirement, 1941
folder 7	Correspondence, condolences on Woodman’s death 1944
folder 8	Correspondence, undated

Subseries Ephemera

folder 9	Ephemera, record books of service hymns
folder 10	Ephemera, concert tickets
folder 11	Ephemera, receipts for subscriptions and memberships
folder 12	Ephemera, receipts for music and instruments
folder 13	Ephemera, Woodman, Benediction (music)
folder 14	Ephemera. pamphlet on history of First Presbyterian Church, South Bergen, New Jersey (1864)