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Title: Ted Mesang Collection, 1925-1968

Predominant Dates: 1948-1960

ID: MSS Mesang

Primary Creator: Mesang, Ted (1902?-1967)

Extent: 1.0 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The records are arranged in six series: I. Compositions and Music Publishing Records, 1948-1960; II. OSU Concert and Marching Bands, 1949-1967; III. Eulogy, Condolences and Memorials, 1967-1968; IV. Diplomas and Certificates, 1940-1955; V. Photographs, circa 1925-1967; and VI. Artifacts, circa 1950.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

The Ted Mesang Collection consists mainly of materials related to Mesang's career as a music instructor and band director at Oregon State University (OSU) from 1949 to 1967. During his tenure at OSU, Mesang directed the OSU Marching Band at Rose Bowl appearances in 1957 and 1965. He was honored with several memorial concerts following his sudden death in 1967.

The Ted Mesang Collection consists of materials pertaining to his career as a music instructor and band director at Oregon State University from 1949 to 1967. The collection includes original scores for marches, published music, and several music royalty contracts. The materials also include newspaper clippings, congratulatory correspondence and performance programs related to the Oregon State University Marching Band's participation in the 1957 and 1965 Rose Bowl parade and football games. Mesang's death in 1967 is documented with a eulogy and obituary, correspondence, condolences, newspaper clippings and programs from several memorial performances. There are also related diplomas and certificates, photographs, and a small collection of artifacts.

Theodore Lawrence Mesang was born December 7, 1902 in Eau Clarie Wisconsin. He attended Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, from 1930 to 1940 and received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Wisconsin in 1945. Mesang received a Master of Education degree from the University of Minnesota in 1949. In 1929-1948 he was director of instrumental music in Ashland (Wisconsin) public schools.

Mesang came to Oregon State College in the fall of 1949 as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1957 and Professor in 1964. During his career at Oregon State, Mesang directed the marching and concert bands, advised the basketball pep band, and taught music education courses. He published over 250 musical compositions and was a member of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Mesang died October 26, 1967 following a marching band rehearsal.

More Extent Information: 32 photographs; 2 boxes, including 1 oversize box

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: Materials were transferred to Archives in several accessions from 1979 to 2006.

Related Materials: Additional materials pertaining to bands at Oregon State are available in the Music Department Records (RG 148) and the Music Department Photograph Collection (P 137); the OSU Band Photographs (P 104) and the Oregon State University Bands Motion Picture Films and Videotapes (FV 104); and the OSU Memorabilia Collection (MSS MC). Other photographs of Mesang are included in Harriet's Photograph Collection (P HC), the President's Office Photographs (P 092), and Gwil Evans Photographic Collection (P 082).

Preferred Citation: Ted Mesang Collection (MSS Mesang), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Mesang, Ted (1902?-1967)

Band music.
Bands (Music)--Wisconsin--Ashland.
Marches (Band)
Marching bands--Oregon--Corvallis.
Mesang, Ted, 1902?-1967
Music--Manuscripts.
Music in universities and colleges--Oregon--Corvallis.
Oregon State College--Bands.
Oregon State University--Bands.
Rose Bowl (Football game) (1957 : Pasadena, Calif.)
Rose Bowl (Football game) (1965 : Pasadena, Calif.)
University History

Photographic prints.
Scores.
Sheet music.