McGrath Sacred Music Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-1992-001

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection was donated on July 30th, 1992 by Geraldine Biggs McGrath from the estate of MSGR Robert E. Brennan, in honor of McGrath’s parents (Richard Keys Biggs and Lucienne Gourdon Biggs).

Series Description Series I: Books Inclusive Dates: 1908-2005 Arrangement: Alphabetical/Volumes

This series consists of a collection of books that include a partial set of early French books covering Catholic liturgical, as well as photocopies of books about Gregorian chant. Books not assigned to volumes are arranged alphabetical, while those that are part of larger group, such as the Prosper Guèranger collection, are listed by volumes instead.

Series II: Periodicals Inclusive Dates: 1942-1989 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This series consists of a small collection of Caecilia monthly periodicals concerning reviews and news about Catholic music. The series also contains issues of Sacred Music and other periodicals.

Series III: Other Inclusive Dates: 1985-1994 Arrangement: Alphabetical thereunder chronological

This small series consists of biographical documents, correspondence, miscellaneous writings, and one oversized drawing.

Dates

Creation: 1908 - 1985

Conditions Governing Use

McGrath Sacred Music Collection is the physical property of California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives.

Biographical / Historical

Geraldine Biggs McGrath was born in October 8th, 1929 to Richard Keys Biggs, a prominent organist and composer, and Lucinne Gourdon Biggs. Her parents were pioneers in bringing traditional Roman Catholic Church music to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. They moved to California, where the rich church music environment influenced McGrath into pursuing choir and Gregorian chant. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary's College in Los Angeles in 1951 with a bachelor of music degree in choral conducting andbecame music director at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in Granada Hills. Through her lifetime, she taught at the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Seminary of Our Lady Queen of Angels, was appointed to the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Music Commission, and was a founding member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, as well as a recipient of the Papal Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontific awarded by Pope Benedict XVI. She also campaigned for keeping traditional music, such as chant, in modernizing churches. The collection is rich in information concerning Gregorian chant and Catholic liturgical music composed for the organ.

Extent

14.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Geraldine Biggs McGrath was born in October 8th, 1929 to Richard Keys Biggs, a prominent organist and composer, and Lucinne Gourdon Biggs. Her parents were pioneers in bringing traditional Roman Catholic Church music to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. They moved to California, where the rich church music environment influenced McGrath into pursuing choir and Gregorian chant. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary's College in Los Angeles in 1951 with abachelor of music degree in choral conducting and became music director at St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in GranadaHills. Through her lifetime, she taught at the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Seminary of Our Lady Queen of Angels, was appointed to the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Music Commission, and was a founding member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, as well as a recipient of the Papal Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontific awarded by Pope Benedict XVI. She also campaigned for keeping traditional music, such as chant, in modernizing churches. The collection is rich in information concerning Gregorian chant and Catholic liturgical music composed for the organ.