LRC Musicology Archive

Through the centuries, music has been an integral part of Lithuanian culture in villages, cities, and even during the “Singing Revolution,” which led to the re-establishment of Lithuania's independence in 1990. The Musicology Archive at the Lithuanian Research Center is the largest and most complete musical archive outside of Lithuania, documenting the achievements of the diaspora.

The Musicology Archive is the Center's oldest department, founded in Lithuania in 1920 by Professor Juozas Žilevičius. He brought his collections to Elizabeth, New Jersey, prior to World War II, when he emigrated to the United States and later moved with these collections to Chicago. His archive was acquired by the Lithuanian Research Center in 1986, whereupon noted musicologist Juozas Kreivėnas assumed the musicology department's directorship, as well as adding to it his own substantial collections.

The Archive contains:

• Lithuanian composers' and musicians' notes;
• Biographical information on Lithuanian diaspora composers, as well as musical and thespian performers - including press clippings, photographs, documents;
• Performance programs and posters;
• Musicology library;
• Audio recordings - including vinyl and shellac records, CDs, audiocassettes, reel-to-reel tape recordings;
• Programs, photos, press clippings of the various North American Lithuanian song and dance festivals;
• Materials from Lithuanian parish choirs;
• The Chicago Lithuanian Opera archive;
• The “Dainava” Ensemble archive.