Stanley, Albert A. (Albert Augustus), 1851-1932

Also performed May Festival, 1943 (cf. Letter. C. A. Sink to W. G. Rice, May 12, 1943)

From the description of Laus deo. For chorus, orchestra, and organ. Text by Notker Babulus (840-912). Music by Albert Augustus Stanley, 1934. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34363841

Professor of Music and Director of the School of Music, University of Michigan, 1888-1921.

From the description of Albert Stanley papers, 1876-1928. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 66895335

From the description of Papers, 1876-1928. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34491685

Professor of music at University of Michigan.

From the description of Albert A. Stanley papers, 1907-1932 and undated. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34419526

Albert A. Stanley was born at Manville, Rhode Island, on May 25, 1851. At the age of fourteen years he became organist at the Congregational Church at Slaterville, Rhode Island. Three years later, he was selected to be organist at the Church of the Medeator in Providence. From 1871 to 1875 he studied abroad, graduating from the Leipzig Conservatory. In his early career, Stanley excelled as organist, conductor and composer.

In 1888, James B. Angell, President of the University of Michigan, invited Stanley to the university as professor of music and director of the University Musical Society. As a result of his efforts, the University School of Music came into existence as successor to what up to that time had been known as the "Ann Arbor School of Music." During his preliminary years in Arbor, Stanley also organized the community's concert activities, and gradually inaugurated noteworthy series of public musical programs. In 1894, as the closing event in the season's series of concerts, Stanley initiated the first Annual May Festival. Within a relatively short time the Ann Arbor May Festival became recognized as one of the great festivals of the world. In the Festival series and in the Choral Union Concert series, which each year preceded the Festival program, many of the world's most celebrated artists performed.

Stanley's great influence in the field of music was not limited to his activities at the University or in the city of Ann Arbor. He also took a prominent part in the state, national and international musical affairs, serving as treasurer and twice as president of the Music Teachers National Association. He was a founder of the College of Musicians, president of the American Section of the International Musical Society, and twice president of the Michigan Music Teachers Association. In 1890, the University of Michigan conferred on him the honorary degree of Master of Arts, and in 1930 the degree of Doctor of Music. He died May 19, 1932.

From the guide to the Albert A. Stanley papers, ca. 1890s-1932, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)