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A Note to You recordings

 Collection
Identifier: A125

Overview

"A Note to You" was a classical music radio show broadcasted by WGBH and Northeastern University from Ryder Hall on Northeastern's campus. Roland Nadeau, who also started the Music Department at Northeastern, created the show in the interest of educating children on classical music. Initially, the show was broadcast on WHDH. It grew into a family show where Professor Nadeau would lecture and interview guests and use music to enhance his ideas and moved to WGBH in 1973. Running from 1963-2000, its 37-year run was one of public radio's longest-running classical music programs and was syndicated internationally and all over the United States, at its peak it was carried by over 100 public radio stations, the Armed Forces Radio, Voice of America and Australian Public Radio. After Nadeau's death in 1997, long time contributor and fellow Northeastern Professor Virginia Eskin took over until 2000 when the show was retired and the format was revived with Professor Eskin as the host of "Music Matters." Nadeau, who created and hosted "A Note to You," was the University's first Distinguished Professor, the title later changed to Matthews Distinguished Professor, largely because of his involvement in the show, which, in his words, led to many listeners [hearing] the name of Northeastern University for the first time. "A Note to You" has received awards including the Ohio State Award for the broadcast, “War,” which was also nominated for a Peabody. The show "Which Way's Witch? A June Foray Halloween Spell" won International Festivals of New York Gold and Bronze Medals, a Major Armstrong Award, The Golden Reel Award, and a National Programing Award and “The Sound in the Fury” was a finalist for best music special.



Dates

  • Creation: 1975-1998

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials entirely in English.

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is unrestricted

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Chronology

1963
Show is broadcast on WHDH
1973
Moves to WGBH
1978
War! is broadcast
1980
Northeastern begins to coproduce "A Note to You"
1985
Virginia Eskin comes on as co-host
1991
"Which Way's Witch? A June Foray Halloween Spell" is broadcast
1992
"The Sound in the Fury" is broadcast
1997
Roland Nadeau passes away
1998
Virginia Eskin becomes host
2000
Show is retired
2001
"Music Matters starts

Extent

2 cubic feet (2 containers)

System of Arrangement:

Arranged in one alphabetical sequence

Physical Location

36/2

Custodial History:

Much of the material was held by the Academic Technology Services before being transferred to the Archives

Immediate Source of Acquisition:

Transferred from Academic Technology Services and gifts of Mrs. Roland Nadeau

Accruals:

Further accruals are expected

Related Archival Materials:

For internal communication, grant applications, scripts, program schedules, and newsletters regarding 'A Note to You," consult the Gerald H. Herman papers (M168), Boxes 2 and 3, a frequent contributor to the show who also helped run the program.
For information on Roland Nadeau and administrative matters for the show from 1983-1989, please consult College of Arts and Sciences collection (A023), Box 19.

Bibliography

  • Box 2, Folders 22-23, Gerald Herman Papers 1983-2004, Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections.
Title
Finding aid for A Note to You Recordings
Author
Finding aid prepared by Martha Pearson
Date
April 4, 2014
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Snell Library
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston MA 02115 US