Research Catalog

Title

William N. and Isabele T. Spiller photograph collection [graphic]

Author

Spiller, Isabele Taliferro, 1888-1974.

Publication

[190-]-[195-]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Layne, Cecil.
• United States. Works Progress Administration (N.Y.)

Found In

p1bc Spiller, Isabele Taliferro, 1888-1974 William N. and Isabele T. Spiller papers (CstRLIN)NYPW89-A202.

Description

• 202 items (2.5 lin. ft., 2 boxes).; 51 x 30 cm. and smaller.
• 201 photographic prints : b&w and col. ;
• 1 photomechanical print : b&w ;

Summary

• The William N. and Isabele T. Spiller Photograph Collection documentsboth William's and Isabele's careers and provides a view of music education in New York City for the African American community.
• Music career images document the "Musical Spillers" and music education activities.
• Music Education photographs document the Spiller School of Music and Isabele's work as a music educator. The Spiller School of Music is documented with images of individual students, orchestral and band classes, Music Education League contestants, and former Spiller School students. Isabele's career as an educator includes images of music education activities in the New York City public school system, the Federal Music Project (W.P.A. Programs), 1939 World's Fair, and Wadleigh Senior High School Pan-American Ensemble. Photographs of the 1939 World's Fair were taken by Isabele with her Brownie camera.

Subject

• Spiller, Isabele Taliferro, 1888-1974
• Spiller, William, 1876-1945
• Spiller School of Music (New York, N.Y.)
• Federal Music Project (U.S.) > New York (State) > New York
• New York World's Fair (1939-1940 : New York, N.Y.)
• African Americans > Education > Music
• African American musicians
• African American women teachers
• African Americans in the performing arts
• Education > Music
• Music > Instruction and study
• Conservatories of music > New York (State) > New York
• Students > Education > Music
• Vaudeville

Genre/Form

• Group portraits – 1900-1959.
• Portrait photographs – 1900-1959.
• Snapshots – 1900-1959.
• Photographic prints – 1900-1959.
• Silver gelatin prints – 1900-1959.

Note

• Some photographs have descriptive information on verso.
• Some photographs have been separated from Isabele's personal photograph albums.
• Collection contains work by Cecil Layne and the WPA photograph agency.
• In her photo album, Isabele notes the Federal Music Project did not have an official photographer at the time of the 1939 Worlds Fair, and that her photographs are the only images of the music program that she supervised.

Biography (note)

• William N. Spiller, a pioneer in vaudeville, toured throughout the U.S. and Europe for nearly forty years. His speciality was trombone dance. William Spiller founded the "Musical Spillers" vaudeville troupe that made headline performances througout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Africa.
• Isabele Tailferro, a member of the Musical Spillers, married William Spiller. In 1926/27, William and Isabele opened the Spiller School of Music in Harlem. The School specialized in band and orchestral training. From the late 1920s until her death, Isabel devoted her career to musical teaching and directing. Isabele's work included serving as the Music Director of the Brooklyn Y.W.C.A. from 1928-1930, Director and organizer of the Columbus Hill Center (later the Harlem Boy's Club) from 1929-1933, Music Supervisor and Orchestra Conductor for the New York City public school system, Head of New York City's Federal Music Project, and the organizer of the instrumental programs at the 1939 World's Fair. Isabele was also a member of the Negro Actors Guild and a number of music and civic organizations. Her advanced education included a sholarship to Teachers College, Columbia University, to participate in a Boy's Clubs of America course, and advanced musical educational training at Julliard.

Linking Entry (note)

• Forms part of the William N. and Isabele T. Spiller papers, 1906-1958.

Call Number

SC Photo William N. and Isabele T. Spiller Collection

OCLC

NYPG93-F334

Author

Spiller, Isabele Taliferro, 1888-1974.

Title

William N. and Isabele T. Spiller photograph collection [graphic]

Imprint

[190-]-[195-]

Linking Entry

Forms part of the William N. and Isabele T. Spiller papers, 1906-1958.

Biography

William N. Spiller, a pioneer in vaudeville, toured throughout the U.S. and Europe for nearly forty years. His speciality was trombone dance. William Spiller founded the "Musical Spillers" vaudeville troupe that made headline performances througout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Africa.

Isabele Tailferro, a member of the Musical Spillers, married William Spiller. In 1926/27, William and Isabele opened the Spiller School of Music in Harlem. The School specialized in band and orchestral training. From the late 1920s until her death, Isabel devoted her career to musical teaching and directing. Isabele's work included serving as the Music Director of the Brooklyn Y.W.C.A. from 1928-1930, Director and organizer of the Columbus Hill Center (later the Harlem Boy's Club) from 1929-1933, Music Supervisor and Orchestra Conductor for the New York City public school system, Head of New York City's Federal Music Project, and the organizer of the instrumental programs at the 1939 World's Fair. Isabele was also a member of the Negro Actors Guild and a number of music and civic organizations. Her advanced education included a sholarship to Teachers College, Columbia University, to participate in a Boy's Clubs of America course, and advanced musical educational training at Julliard.

Local Note

SC MG 62

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Added Author

Layne, Cecil. Photographer

United States. Works Progress Administration (N.Y.)

Found In:

p1bc Spiller, Isabele Taliferro, 1888-1974 William N. and Isabele T. Spiller papers (CstRLIN)NYPW89-A202.

Research Call Number

SC Photo William N. and Isabele T. Spiller Collection