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Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Provenance

From the estate of Doug Bowman, local collector of Harrisonburg memorabilia.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Pabst School of Music Records, 1924-1983, SC 0365, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Purchased at Green Valley Auctions December 5th, 2023 sale of the Doug Bowman Estate.

Administrative History

The Pabst School of Music was founded in 1923 by Alma Campbell Pabst (1895-1995) and was located in the Campbell Hotel at 217 N. Main St. in Harrisonburg. Alma's husband Camillo Pabst (1894-1970) also taught at the school. The school offered special training in piano, violin, harmony, and music history. It was in operation until approximately 1983. The school held programs and recitals at local schools and churches including Muhlenberg Lutheran Church, Assembly Hall (Harrisonburg Courthouse), Dayton United Brethren Church, Timberville High School, and the auditorium of the Pabst School of Music.

Alma Campbell Pabst graduated from Harrisonburg High School and Mary Baldwin College with a degree in music. She also studied music at Columbia University. Her parents Amanda and John Randolph Campbell took over the Campbell Hotel in 1916. Alma began a music school that same year and ran it out of the hotel. Camillo Pabst, who was born in Leipzig, Germany and immigrated to the United States, studied music at the Combs Conservatory in Philadelphia and Columbia University. Alma and Camillo married in 1922. They took over ownership of the Campbell Hotel in 1935.

The Campbell Hotel was owned by the Feuchtenberger/Campbell family for 95 years before it was razed in 1985.

Scope and Contents

Materials related to the Pabst School of Music include recital programs, a blank admissions application, blank recital program stationery, and a scrapbook with newspaper clippings and recital programs. The newspaper clippings concern recitals and list the names of student performers as well as musical selections performed.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Application forms
• Bowman, Douglas, 1948-2023
• Community music -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg
• Concert programs
• Green Valley Auctions, Inc.
• Music -- Instruction and study -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg
• Music -- Performance
• Newspaper clippings
• Scrapbooks