Paur Leonard, Signed (1 results)

Unbound. Condition: Near Fine. First edition. Musical programme for a performance by Leonard de Paur's Infantry Chorus. Octavo. Single sheet folded once to make four pages. A fine copy. Signed by Leonard de Paur on the front cover. Leonard de Paur was an African-American composer, choral director and arts administrator, born in Summit, New Jersey. He received his musical education at Columbia University and the Institute of Musical Arts. In 1932, he became the associate conductor or the Hall Johnson Choir, and in 1936 the director of the New York City Negro Unit of the Federal Theatre. In 1941, he joined the armed forces, and became the musical director of the Army Air Force show, "Winged Victory" [from Columbia College, Chicago, online biography]. The de Paur Infantry Chorus is a group of thirty-five Negro veterans who sang for American troops from Iwo Jima to Berlin, giving more than 2000 concerts for the American Armed forces." (excerpt of text from the programme). Front cover prints three paragraphs about de Paur, and the De Paur Infantry Chorus, including biographical material. The other three pages print a program for the performance, including song titles, composers, and excerpts from lyrics. Included are songs by Schumann, Gurgel-de Paur, a section of "Negro Spirituals," and his own compositions.