Alfred Harding Yopp Papers

Collection

Identifier: SC-MS-030

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains photocopies of music scores and sheet music composed by Alfred Harding Yopp, a Wilmington musician and businessman. Yopp's music is largely religious in nature, and additional music not written by Yopp is also included. Collection material also includes newspaper clippings, programs, and correspondence related to Yopp's music, eduction, and career.

Dates

Creation: 1896-1976 (photocopies)

Creator

Yopp, Alfred Harding, 1876-1973 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Copyright Statement

Copyright retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Biographical Note

Alfred Harding Yopp, Wilmington musician, music teacher, composer and businessman, began his music career as a teenager, when his parents arranged for music lessons in an effort to steer him away from a career as a machinist. After three years of tutelage by Miss Cannie Chasten, Yopp enrolled in the New England Conservatory of Music where he studied piano, organ and composition. Upon his return to Wilmington in 1897, he began his career as music teacher and church organist.

Yopp served as organist for Temple of Israel Synagogue for over twenty years, and also served lengthy stints as church organist for local Baptist, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian churches. He composed a Sabbath service for the Temple in Hebrew, as well as music ranging from secular rag time to sacred hymns and choral works. He also played in the orchestra at Thalian Hall and performed in concerts.

In 1915, he and Thomas R. Woody launched their piano store. Yopp was an aggressive business man and by the next year was able to buy out his partner and form the Yopp Piano Company. The business later expanded to include organs, sheet music, and records and tapes, and through Yopp's astute management, weathered the economic ups and downs of pre-World War II America. At the same time, Yopp maintained an active interest in music composition and performance, an interest which lasted through out his 96 year life.

Note written by Patricia B. McGee

Extent

1 Container (Contains 1 document box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated by Ms. Nancy Ping (UNCW Faculty member of the Music Department) on June 12, 1979.

Processing Information

Originally processed by Patricia B. McGee in March, 1997. In 2014, this manuscript collection was re-foldered and re-housed with current archival standard materials by Kate Edwards.