Dr. Charles Edward Thomas Collection
Collection ID
BC008CT
Related Subjects
Collecting Areas
Description
Detailed Collection Information
Biographical Note
Born November 19, 1935, Charles Edward Thomas is a native of Vineland, New Jersey. He is married to Naomi Dolores Thomas and together they have three children: Paul Jeffrey, Brian Edward and Jonathan Charles. Earning his Bachelor of Music Degree from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, Charles Edward Thomas later earned a Master of Music Degree at the American Conservatory in Chicago, IL. From 1965-1970, Charles Edward Thomas was a DMA Degree Candidate at the State University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. During that candidacy, in 1969, Dr. Thomas received the Ford Foundation Fellowship for his Doctoral Studies. Following that year, Dr. Thomas gained special training in all facets of television production through a Ford Grant at KTCA-TV in St. Paul, MN. Dr. Thomas received training and hands- on experience, including camera work, floor management, board work, sound set-up, VTR and other facets of production; he later received a CPB Grant for television production training and experience.
Dr. Thomas combines the multiple talents of pianist, organist, composer, conductor, and businessman. He has taught on several faculties, traveled extensively, and served with a myriad of evangelists, such as Dr. Howard Jones, Dr. Ralph Bell, Dr. John Wesley White and Billy Graham. As a businessman, Dr. Thomas is a television producer and president of Totaltelemart, Inc., an advertising agency and production company. He has also held numerous Board of Director positions such as the following: Music Board, International Baptist Alliance, Stockholm, Sweden (1975); Minnesota Orchestra Association (1974-1978); Afro-American Music Opportunities Association, Inc. (1969-1979); African-American Cultural Center (1974-1978); and the National Advisory Board; WETA-TV Washington Public Television station project, “Jumpstreet,” a $2,000,000, 20 program series on Black music (1978-1982). In addition to Board of Director positions, Dr. Thomas also held a few Chairman/Commission Member Positions: Human Rights Commission, Crystal, MN (1965-1969); Minnesota Days, in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, June 19-21 (1976).
A gifted artist, Dr. Thomas has received many grants, awards and honors that compliment his talents. The following are his earnings: Van Cliburn International Piano Competition-Artist’s Diploma Extraordinaire (1962); National Federation of Music Clubs Competition- Young Artists Winner (1965); Performer on the First Pan- American Festival, St. Paul (1967); Ford Foundation Fellowship (1969); National Association of Negro Musicians Award (1974); Corporation for Public Broadcasting Minority Grant for Television Experience and Development (1975); “Who’s Who in Black America” (1976); “Notable Americans” (1976); Certificate of Recognition from the National Conference of Christians and Jews for the show, “ A Day to Remember” (1979).
Dr. Thomas has had experience managing layout, design, editing, printing, photography and graphics associated with a wide range of marketing and public relations projects. His experience is also inclusive with creating and placing all print media including brochures, press releases, feature articles and other informational and promotional literature. The following publications were printed: Feature Writer of a music series for the Twin City Observer (1966); Writer and Editor for “AAMOA Reports,” a newsletter, which required international circulation (1969-1980); Feature Writer of articles for JAZZ MAGAZINE, Minneapolis (1981).
Dr. Thomas has a myriad of additional experience with multi-media presentations, public relations and special events. His experience includes writing press releases, placing feature stories, coordinating and organizing conventions, press conferences, and a wide range of special events. Additionally, his experience covers producing taped and live television and radio programs including numerous music shows and other special events.
Detailed Collection Information
Description of Collection
The records of the Dr. Charles Edward Thomas collection include correspondence, collected sheet music from various artists, event files, and newspaper clippings. The strength of this collection is found with collected sheet music and collected music books. These series give a great outlook on Dr. Charles Edward Thomas’ repertoire of music, as well as his interests. The different sections of this collection are arranged by series, and within the series, folders pertaining to specificity.
Series 1 (Manuscripts and Publications) contains information pertaining to Dr. Thomas’ publications (both complete and handwritten). Besides composing his own music, which can be found in Series 13 (Compositions), Dr. Thomas was an avid music collector. His musical bounty is found in Series 2 (Christian Songs & Hymns), Series 11 (Choral Books), Series 12 (Collected Sheet Music) and Series 14 (Collected Music Books and Sheet Music). As previously stated, Dr. Thomas was also a businessman and involved in several other activities, which can be found in Series 5 (Personal Files). In these personal files, one can get an inside look on the brilliant mind of Dr. Thomas and his works.
Organization and Arrangement
Series 1. Manuscripts and Publications 1 Box
Series 2. Christian Hymns & Songs 1 Box
Series 3. Miscellaneous 1 Box
Series 4. “In the Hull of a Ship” 1 Box
Series 5. Personal Files 1 Box
Series 6. Books 1 Box
Series 7. Choral Sheet Music 1 Box
Series 8. Choral Music Books 1 Box
Series 9. “A Fantasy of Carols” 1 Box
Series 10. CDs & Videos 1 Box
Series 11. “Joy to the World” 1 Box
Detailed Collection Information
Organization and Arrangement
Series 12. Sheet Music 2 Boxes
- Artists A-I
- Artists J-Z
Series 13. Compositions 2 Boxes
Series 14. Music Books 3 Boxes
Series 15. Orchestra Scores 1 Box
Series 16. Records and Posters 1 Box
Series Description
Series 1. Manuscripts and Publications (Box 1)
This series includes several manuscripts composed by Dr. Charles Edwards Thomas. It also includes handwritten compositions/arrangements, as well as publications.
Series 2. Christian Songs & Hymns (Box 2)
This series includes Dr. Thomas’ collection of Christian songs and hymns, many of which are not contemporary. In this collection, Christian Negro Spirituals can also be found.
Series 3. Miscellaneous (Box 3)
This series includes a variety of subjects. In this series, miscellaneous sheet music can be found, as well as incomplete sheet music. The miscellaneous sheet music pertains to sheet music that either has no known artist, or has no specific category. In addition, there are also miscellaneous lyrics/sheet music, which primarily pertains to musicals.
Series 4. “In the Hull of a Ship” (Box 4)
This series houses several copies of SATB versions of “In the Hull of a Ship”, a musical collaboration by Milton Smith and Charles Edward Thomas.
Series 5. Personal Files (Box 5)
Series 5 covers an extensive amount of Dr. Charles Edward Thomas’ personal files. In this series, the folders range from concert booklets and recital programs to correspondence (which also includes a myriad of letters), newspaper clippings, and even documents pertaining to the University of Iowa. Additionally, this series houses documents pertaining to the articles of incorporation for the Afro-American Music Opportunities Association, where Dr. Thomas had a Board of Directors position.
Detailed Collection Information
Series Description
Series 6. Books (Box 6)
This series has non-sheet music books. This specific category of the collection houses books that are primarily informational.
Series 7. Choral Sheet Music (Box 7)
Dr. Charles Thomas was also a teacher and a conductor. This series highlights the choral music, of which he conducted and performed for a variety of choirs, especially the Bethel College of Music Choir.
Series 8. Choral Music Books (Box 8)
Series 8 is similar to series 7, with the exception that there is no actual sheet music present.
Series 9. “A Fantasy of Carols” (Box 9)
Dr. Charles Edward Thomas arranged “A Fantasy of Carols” for mixed choirs at Christmas. This series houses only “A Fantasy of Carols” primarily because of its abundance. Dr. Thomas’ arrangement is based on traditional carols.
Series 10. CDs & Videos (Box 10) Series 11. “Joy to the World” (Box 11)
Series 11 houses several copies of Dr. Thomas’ arrangement of “Joy to the World” in SATB format. An orchestration version is available in Series 13, Box 15.
Series 12. Sheet Music
- Artists A-I (Box 12)
- Artist J-Z (Box 13)
Series 12 highlights Dr. Charles Edward Thomas’s collection of sheet music. In this series, the collection of sheet music, contemporary and classical, is arranged by Artist (A-Z).
Series 13. Compositions (Boxes 14 and 15)
Dr. Charles Edward Thomas spent a large portion of his time composing and arranging music for orchestras and Christian choirs. In this series, a majority of his finished compositions, and their copies, can be found.
Series 14. Music Books (Boxes 16, 17 and 18)
In addition to collections of sheet music, Dr. Thomas was an avid music book collector as well. In this series, the range is music genre is wide. Here, one can find organ music, orchestra books, wedding solo books, as well as classical music books.
Detailed Collection Information
Series Description
Series 15. Orchestra Scores (Box 19)
This series contains large orchestra scores collected by Dr. Charles Edward Thomas. Series 16. Records and Posters (Box 20)
This series contains several records, some of which are by Charles Edward Thomas. In addition to those records, there are a variety of collected posters.
Patron Information
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Diamond, Temple University’s online library catalog:
[URL]
Research Access
Collection is open for research.
Collections Stored Off-Site
This collection may be housed off-site at the Library Depository and require up to two business days to retrieve. Please review the finding aid and be prepared to identify specific materials to be retrieved. Contact the Charles L. Blockson Afro American Collection in advance of your visit so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for research.
Publication and Copyright Information
All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on Reproduction.
Information on copyright (literary rights) available from repository.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item(s)], Dr. Charles Edward Thomas Collection, Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, Temple University Libraries.
Administrative Information
Processing Information
Collection processed and finding aid prepared in August 2012 by Gwendolyn Alexandre; Supervised by Leslie Willis-Lowry, Temple University.
Inventory
Series 1: Manuscripts and Publications
Box Folder Content
1 1 Publications
1 2 Handwritten Music
1 3 Miscellaneous Handwritten Music
1 - Manuscript Books
Series 2: Christian Hymns & Songs
Box Folder Content
2 1 Christmas Music
2 2 Christian Hymns & Songs
2 3 Christian Negro
Series 3: Miscellaneous
Box Folder Content
3 1 CD Orders Fulfilled
3 2 Miscellaneous Sheets of Music
3 3 Texts to be Set
3 4 Lyrics w/ Sheet Music
3 5 Notes & Paper
3 6 Classical Piano by Black Composer Notes
3 7 Paul Robeson Notes
3 8 The Art of Roland Hayes
3 9 Antonin Dvorak Notes
3 10 Lionel Hampton 1958
Series 4: In the Hull of a Ship
Box Folder Content
4 - “In the Hull of a Ship”. Thomas, Edward C.
Series 5: Personal Files
Box Folder Content
5 1 Concert Booklets
5 2 Article of Incorporation – AAMOA
5 3 Newspaper Clippings
5 4 Myrtle Hall Project
5 5 Pamphlets, Brochures & Programs
5 6 Recital Programs
5 7 “I Have a Dream”
5 8 University of Iowa
5 9 Correspondence
5 10 Essays
5 11 Cable Television Proposal
5 12 Notes
Series 6: Books
Box Folder Content
6 - How to do Just About Anything on a Computer. Reader’s Digest. 2000
6 - Symposium of Symphonic Music by Black Composers. AAMOA. Sep. 3-7, 1974
6 - Symposium of Symphonic Music by Black Composers (5). AAMOA. Sep. 24-30, 1974
6 - Principles of Orchestration. Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolay.
6 - Finale: The Art of Music Notation Installation & Tutorials. Windows. 1997
6 - The Lives of the Great Composers. Schonberg, Harold C. 1997
Series 7: Chorus Sheet Music
Box Folder Content
7 1 Four-Part Chorus
7 2 Men’s Chorus Music
Series 8: Choral Music Books
Box Folder Content
8 - Joyful Songs. Barrows, Cliff. 1977
8 - Joyful Praise Choir Book No. 2. (2). Barrows, Cliff. 1985
8 - Favorites Number 8. Brock, Fred. 1975
8 - The Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers: Only to Him (3). Cymbala, Carol. 1992
8 - Magnify the Lord. Bible, Ken & Fettke, Tom. 1986
8 - Anthems for All Seasons (2). 1992
8 - Liberty and Justice for All. Vader, Randy, Jay Rouse & Camp Kirkland. 1998
8 - Christmas Oratorio. Saint-Saëns, Camille.
8 - Requiem. Mozart, Wolfgang. 1882
8 - The Messiah an Oratorío. Handel, G.F. & Noble, Tertius T. (Ed.) 1912
Series 9: “A Fantasy of Carols”
Box Folder Content
9 - A Fantasy of Carols (58). C. Edward Thomas. 1973
Series 10: CDs & Videos
Box Folder Content
10 - Vast TV Auction Sep. 25, 1984
10 - A Day to Remember. PBS Telecast. Aug. 15, 1978
10 - The Joy of Music. Jan. 8, 1982
10 - The Heart of Christmas: Soulful Keyboard (11).
Series 11: Joy to the World
Box Folder Content
11 1 Sheet Music
11 2 Sheet Music – Orchestra
Series 12: Sheet Music
Box Folder Content
12 1 Albinoni, Tomaso
12 2 Bach, C.P.E.
12 3 Bach, Johann Sebastian
12 4 Baker, David
12 5 Bales, Gerald
12 6 Beethoven, Ludwig
12 7 Benjamin, Arthur
12 8 Bonds, Margaret
12 9 Borodin, A.
12 10 Borowski, Felix
12 11 Boulogne, Joseph
12 12 Brahms, Johannes
12 13 Burleigh, H.T.
12 14 Chanler, Theodore
12 15 Chasins, Abram
12 16 Chopin, Frédéric
12 17 Christian, Bobby
12 18 Clark, Edgar Rogie
12 19 Coleridge-Taylor, S.
12 20 Dawson, William L.
12 21 Dett, Nathaniel
12 22 Debussy, Claude
12 23 von Dohnányi, Ernst
12 24 Dubois, Théodore
12 25 Ellington, Duke
12 26 Evans, Mari
12 27 de Falla Manuel
12 28 Fax, Max
12 29 Frackenpohl, Arthur
12 30 Franck, César
12 31 Garner, Errol
12 32 Gershwin, George
Series 12: Sheet Music
Box Folder Content
12 33 von Gluck, Chr. W.
12 34 Godard, Benjamin
12 35 Griffes, Charles T.
12 36 Guilmant, Alexandre
12 37 Hanson, Howard
12 38 Harris, Roy
12 39 Haydn, Joseph
12 40 Hayes, Roland
12 41 Holby, Lee
12 42 Infante, Manuel
12 43 James, Willis Laurence
12 44 Johnson, Hall
12 45 Johnson, L.
12 46 Johnson, J. Rosamond
12 47 Jones, Clarence M.
12 48 Joplin, Scott
12 49 Kabalevsky, Dmitri
12 50 Kay, Ulysses
12 51 Kerr Jr. Thomas H.
12 52 Liszt, Franz
12 53 MacDowell, Edward
12 54 Mendelssohn, Felix
12 55 Morris, Raymond A.
12 56 Moszkowski, Moritz
12 57 Mozart, Wolfgang A.
12 58 Nelson, Oliver
12 59 Nieman, Walter
12 60 Owens, Robert
12 61 Perry, Julia
12 62 Poulenc, Francis
12 63 Rachmaninoff, Sergei
12 64 Reger, Max
Series 12: Sheet Music
Box Folder Content
12 65 Reinecke, Carl
12 66 Rimsy-Korsakoff, N.
12 67 Rodgers, Richard
12 68 Rubinstein, Anton
12 69 Saint-Georges, the Chevalier
12 70 Scarlatti, Domenico
12 71 Scott, Cyril
12 72 Schubert, Franz
12 73 Schuman, Robert
12 74 Schuman, William
12 75 Still, William Grant
12 76 Strawinsky, I.
12 77 Swanson, Howard
12 78 Toch, Ernst
12 79 Villa-Lobos, H.
12 80 Walker, Ernest
12 81 Walker, George
12 82 Waller, “Fats”
12 83 Work, John W.
12 84 White, Clarence Cameron
Series 13: Compositions
Box Folder Content
14 1 A New Christmas Morning, Hallelujah
14 1 Adagio from Organ Toccata in C Major
15 1 Alleluia, Glory to the Lamb
15 2 Amazing Grace
15 3 Arrangements by Charles Thomas
15 4 Capriccio
15 5 Children of the Heavenly Father
14 5 Chinese Fantasy (individual instruments)
Series 13: Compositions
Box Folder Content
15 6 Do, Don’t Touch
15 7 Down by the Riverside
15 8 Ever Since Then
15 9 Gospel Medley
14 2a I Have a Dream 1978
14 2b I Have a Dream (individual instrumentals) 1978
15 10 I Have a Dream
15 11 I’ll Walk on the Moon
15 12 In the Hull of a Ship (orchestra scores)
15 13 In the Hull of a Ship (copies)
15 14 Joy to the World
14 3a Joy to the World (individual instruments)
15 15 The King
15 16 Mary and Martha
15 17 (Choir) Music by Dr. Charles
15 18 On Ma Journey
14 1 Ring the Bells
15 19 Rock Him
15 20 Roll, Jordan Roll
15 21 Sleep, Holy Babe
14 1 Some Children See Him
15 22 Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
15 23 Sun of my Soul
14 1 Sweet Little Jesus Baby
15 24 Take my Mother Home
15 25 We are One
14 1 With Every Dawn
Series 14: Music Books
Box Folder Content
16 - Rodena. Albeinz, I.
16 - Book of Airs for the Organ. Bach, J.S. 1921
16 - The Liturgical Year. Bach, J.S.
16 - The Well-Tempered Clavichod. Bach, J.S. 1924
16 - Waldsteinsonate. Op. 53. Beethoven, Ludwig
16 - Sonatas for the Pianoforte- 32. Beethoven, Ludwig. (2) 1935
16 - Complete Piano Sonatas. Beethoven, Ludwig. 1975
16 - Pieces d’Orgue. Benoit, Dom Paul
16 - Piano Works in Two Complete Volumes. Brahms, Johannes
16 - Complete Works. Chopin, Fryderyk. 1961
16 - The Technique and Art of Organ Playing. Dickinson, Clarence. 1922
16 - A Requiem for Louis Armstrong. Dickinson Roger. 1973
16 - Wedding Service Music for Organ. Drinkwater, David.
16 - Symphonic Variations. Franck, César.
16 - Rhapsody in Blue – Symphony Orchestra. Gershwin, George.
16 - Method of Organ Playing. Gleason, Harold.
16 - The Collected Works of Don Hustad. Hustad, Don. 1976
16 - Orgelschule. Kaller, Ernst. 1938
16 - With My Love. Taylor Russ. 1968
16 - Le Tombeau de Couperin. Ravel, Maurice. 1918
16 - Gaspard de la Nuit. Ravel, Maurice. 1909
16 - Three Sonatas for the Piano. Shapero, Harold. 1949
17 - Chappell’s Big Organ Book. 1961
17 - Church Organ Method. Andrews, Mildred & Pauline Riddle.
17 - Zeitgenössische Orgelmusik Im Gottesdienst. 1970
17 - From Bach to Schumann. Protiwinsky, H.
17 - Operatic Anthology. Adler, Kurt. 1904
17 - Prelude and Fugue. Bach, J.S.
17 - Sonata Album – Twenty-six Favorite Sonatas for the Piano. 1895
17 - Wedding Album for Organ. Wagner, Richard.
17 - Wedding Music for the Organ. Wagner, Richard. 1949
Series 14: Music Books
Box Folder Content
17 - Wedding Music Part I.
17 - Wedding Music Part II.
18 - Romantic Adagios. Leupold, Wayne. 1980
18 - Two and Three Part Inventions (2). Bach, J.S. & Hans Bischoff. 1943
18 - Concerto (2). Ravel, Maurice.
18 - Das Mohltemperirte Klavier. Bach, J.S.
18 - Images (2). Debussy, Claude. 1908
18 - Complete Works – VIII Polonaises. Chopin, Fryderyk. 1961
18 - Sonate. Dutilleux, Henri. 1949
18 - 24 Pièces en Style Libre. Vierne, Louis. 1914
Series 15: Orchestra Scores
Box Folder Content
19 - The Song of Bethlehem. Brubeck, Dave.
19 - Memorial to Martin Luther King. Morawetz, Oskar. 1975
19 - In Praise Music. Argento, Dominick. 1977
Series 16: Records & Posters
Box Folder Content
20 - “Joy of Music”- Stereo Audio (mix required for VHS dubs). Thomas, Ed.
20 - Bethel College Male Chorus Record.
20 - “The Sound of One”. The Nu Life Quartet.
20 - “The Holy City”. Howard Correl Bass-Baritone with C. Edward Thomas.
20 - “Come Thou Fount”. Thomas, Eddie.
20 - “Singing for You”. Musto, Steve.
20 - “Piano Portraits”. Thomas, Eddie.