A Guide to the John M. Steinfeldt Family Papers, 1819-1993

Biographical Note

John Mathias Steinfeldt, known as the Dean of Texas Pianists, was born in August 1864 near Hanover Germany. His family came to the United States when he was 10 years old and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied in both the United States and Europe under some of the great musicians of the day including Isidor Philipp and Rafel Joseffy. He moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1887 and called the city home for the rest of his life. He married the former Vivia May Ripley in July 1893.

Mr. Steinfeldt's musical talents were substantial and varied. He was a composer, pianist and organist and a Master-teacher. In San Antonio, he served as organist at the First Baptist church, San Fernando Cathedral and at Temple Beth-El. In 1893, he became the organist at St. Mary's Catholic Church, a position he held for over 50 years. In October 1943, Mr. Steinfeldt received an Apostolic Benediction, a blessing from his Holiness Pope Pius XII for his half century of service as organist of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He also performed as a soloist with the San Antonio Symphony as well as with the Chicago and Cincinnati orchestras.

He composed and arranged a large amount of liturgical and secular music and won many awards for his efforts. Missa Maria Immaculata, a Mass written in 1924 for the dedication of a new building for St. Mary's Catholic Church, and The Fountain were particularly well received pieces. Mr. Steinfeldt gave lessons and encouraged the study of music throughout his career. He was president of the San Antonio College of Music, which he founded in 1920. He taught Piano, Organ, Harmony, Composition and Theory there. In his career, he offered private lessons and was the head of the music department of the Mulholland School.

John M. Steinfeldt and his wife Vivia May had four children Cecile, John Jr., Robert and Eric. Cecile and John Jr. were also accomplished musicians and taught for a few years at the San Antonio College of Music. Mrs. Steinfeldt died on February 9, 1936 in San Antonio. Mr. Steinfeldt died on February 28, 1946 in San Antonio.

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Scope and Content Note

The John M. Steinfeldt Family papers are composed principally of music scores, correspondence and scrapbooks, which contain clippings and other ephemera. Some photographs and record albums are also in the collection. This collection helps to document how music was performed, taught and composed in the first half of the 20th century and how music contributed to the cultural life of San Antonio during this period. The material is divided into five series: Correspondence, Programs and Clippings, Scores, Scrapbooks and Photographs, and Topical Files.

Correspondence contains both personal and professional correspondence to and from John M. Steinfeldt and members of his family. Most of the Programs and Clippings series material provides information about the musical performances of Mr. Steinfeldt, his family or his pupils. Some of the clippings, however, reveal information about Mr. Steinfeldt's personal rather than professional life.

The musical Scores are the bulk of the collection. This series contains copies of works by John M. Steinfeldt including final copies of finished compositions as well as some drafts, sketches and fragments of his work. Works by other composers that were given to the Steinfeldts or which were used as teaching material. Some of these scores predate Mr. Steinfeldt's birth. There are approximately four linear feet of commercially produced music scores that have not been processed. These scores were owned by the Steinfeldt family but have no distinguishing marks. This material is open to researchers.

The Scrapbooks and Photographs series contains material such as programs, clippings, and other items about the Steinfeldt family. Some of this material was collected during the family's travels abroad. Most of the material concerns John M. Steinfeldt.

The Topical Files contain material which does not fit into the other four series. It contains some biographical material about John M. Steinfeldt. Material relating to his teaching, including material from the San Antonio College of music and recordings of his music can be found here. Some information about the musician Walter Dunham, which was given to the library by the Steinfeldt family is also included. A selection of books from Mr. Steinfeldt's personal library has been separated from the collection, however a list of the titles is available.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Researchers are required to wear gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.

Usage restrictions

Permission to publish from the John M. Steinfeldt Family Papers must be obtained from the UTSA Archives.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], John M. Steinfeldt Family Papers, 1819-1993, MS 35, Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas at San Antonio Library.

Acquisition Information

The bulk of the materials in this collection were donated in 1980 (Acc. 1980-001); an additional photograph album was transferred from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library in 1993.

Processing Information

Eric Hartmann, Processing Archivist, July 1998.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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