Four Freshmen collection
Scope and Contents
The Four Freshmen Collection includes music scores, audio, ephemera and other materials related to The Four Freshmen, an American male vocal jazz quartet, that was started by four Butler University students in 1947. The Four Freshmen are no longer based at Butler; since their founding, there have been more than 25 different members, and they continue to entertain audiences.
The largest part of the collection comprises musical scores and sheet music of various arrangements of songs performed, recorded, or considered by The Four Freshmen over their long existence. Many of the pieces were arranged by band members, and many of the pieces are considered jazz or popular music standards. The collection also contains a smaller quantity of papers and ephemera which includes newspaper clippings, newsletters, and web printouts about the group. Also included is a small series of commercial releases on CD and LP vinyl by The Four Freshmen.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1947-2016
Creator
- Four Freshmen (Musical group) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions apply.
Biographical Note
Ross and Don Barbour, of Columbus, Indiana (IN) attended the Jordan Conservatory of Music (now the Jordan College of the Arts) at Butler University. In 1947, they teamed with Hal Kartzsch of Warsaw, IN, and Bob Flanigan of Greencastle, IN to form “Hal’s Harmonizers”, then “The Toppers” before becoming “The Four Freshmen” for their first show in Fort Wayne in 1948. They were four voices singing five-part harmony influenced by jazz and big band; they also played their own instruments. The Four Freshmen toured with Stan Kenton and recorded albums. The group continues to tour and entertain audiences, with over 25 different members since their founding at Butler University. They are no longer based at Butler University.
Extent
41.35 Linear Feet (28 score boxes, 4 oversize score boxes, 3 document cases, 1 LP box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Four Freshmen Collection includes music scores, audio, ephemera and other materials related to the Four Freshmen musical group that was started by four Butler University students in 1947. The Four Freshmen are no longer based at Butler; since their founding, there have been more than 25 different members, and they continue to entertain audiences.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into four series of musical scores and sheet music based on size. It also includes a small series of papers and another series of audio materials. Within each size category of scores, the music is sorted alphabetically by title. Individual pieces of music are listed with their arranger if known, and may include vocal charts, instrumental accompaniment parts, and other forms of sheet music. Dates of music are listed when known, and may refer to a release date, copyright date, or recording date. Due to the arrangement of scores based on size, all pieces of music related to any particular title may be found across all four series of scores. Please review the inventory list carefully.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Four Freshmen Collection was donated to Butler University in multiple installments. David West Bentley is the principal donor.
Bibliography
Subject
- Jordan College of the Arts (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to The Four Freshmen Collection
- Author
- Gayle O’Hara, April 2023; Edited by Kyle Stearns, May 2025; Revised by Annie Benefiel, July 2025
- Date
- 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Butler University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
4600 Sunset Avenue
Irwin Library 345
Indianapolis Indiana 46208 United States
specialcollections@butler.edu