Lee McCauley (Bachelor of Public School Music, Indiana University, 1929) served as Director of Music at Rhode Island State College from 1933 to 1949. In these years developed the Department of Music. Course offerings (he taught most of them) grew from 1 to 8. He also instituted a program of credit for individual instrumental instruction. Under his tenure, music became an accredited minor. In 1934 and again in 1937, he organized large-scale music festivals on campus. He worked extensively with the Concert Choir, the Orchestra, and the Student Band. An accomplished organist, he designed programs for and performed at many Rhode Island State College ceremonies.
Well-liked and respected, he received many letters from former students. Professor McCauley was also involved with the Kingstowne Music Club (MSG # 140), a local civic organization dedicated to music appreciation, and its inception in 1939 on through the 1940's.
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Lee McCauley Collection, Mss. Gr. 141, University of Rhode Island.
This collection of the papers of Lee McCauley documents the growth of the College during the Depression and war years in the Department of Music at Rhode Island State College. They include but are not limited to the following: correspondence about the 1934 and 1937 May Music Festivals; records of and correspondence from the New England College Glee Club Association; lyrics and script for "The Builders: A Pageant of Rhode Island State College", and to other RISC songs; correspondence to and from the College President Carl Woodward, much of it laudatory; letters from former students serving in World War II; college administration letters; the text of the 1944 Commencement Address; and the program, designed by Professor McCauley, for the College's observance of V-E day in 1945.
The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject name.
These papers were donated to Special Collections at an undetermined date as part of the papers of Arnold Clair (MSG #135), who succeeded Professor McCauley as Chairman of the Department of Music.
The largest file in this collection consists of personal letters from friends and former students, many serving in World War II. The file on the 1937 May Music Festival contains letters from some prominent citizens from whom support was solicited, such as Senator Theodore Francis Green and Caroline Hazard. A performer at that festival, Renata Flandins Ruisi, is profiled in a folder containing a typewritten compilation of her newspaper reviews, and a cardboard half-tone photo negative. The New England College Glee Club Association file illuminates intercollegiate choral activity in the period. Other files document wartime music programs on campus and at Quonset Point. College President Carl Woodward seems to have appreciated Professor McCauley's abilities and called on him frequently to plan and participate in ceremonial college level events. A copy of the 1944 Commencement Address, given by the Hon. Francis J. McCabe, is also included.