© 2010. State University of New York at Buffalo. All rights reserved.
[Specified item], Slee Family Collection, 1893-1981, Music Library, The State University of New York at Buffalo.
Acquisition InformationThe collection was given to the library by faculty member, Stephen Manes, who received it from Ansie Baird (Mrs. Brent Baird). Mrs. Baird received the collection from Charles G. Beaudette. Some clippings and programs were added by Music Library staff subsequent to the receipt of the collection.
Terms of AccessMaterials can be examined by qualified researchers in the Music Library during hours of operation during which Music Librarians are present. In order to insure access, researchers are advised to contact the Music Library in advance of visits.
CopyrightCopyright for the materials in the collection does not reside with the Music Library. Therefore, patrons wishing to publish any item, or part of an item from this collection for any purpose, are responsible for securing requisite permissions.
Alternate FormsEntire collection digitized and available in UBdigit .
Processing InformationProcessed by John Bewley, 2006.
Accruals and AdditionsNo further accruals are expected to this collection.
Frederick Caldecott Slee (1870-1954), was a successful corporate lawyer in Buffalo, N.Y. His two passions in life were sailing and Beethoven. While at Harvard pursuing his law degree, Mr. Slee also studied music theory and composition. He later furthered his music education at the Sorbonne, in Paris. Mr. Slee and his wife Alice were devoted fans of chamber music and the music of Beethoven, especially the string quartets. They built a special music room in their Saybrook Place home with a raised platform for performers. The room was used most Sundays for recitals with friends. Mr. Slee was an accomplished musician, playing viola, violin, piano and the cello.
Alice Slee, née McDonald, was born August 20, 1875 in East Aurora, NY. She moved to Buffalo to attend business school. It was there that Alice met and married Frederick Slee in 1905. Mrs. Slee was active in many worthy causes, serving the Red Cross through the two World Wars. Mrs. Slee was honored as one of Western New York's outstanding citizens by the Buffalo News in 1952. Mrs. Slee was also devoted to the music of Beethoven and sponsored concerts for all of Buffalo to enjoy. Mrs. Slee passed away exactly two years after her husband on May 19, 1956.
The Slee Bequest at the University at Buffalo provides for the annual performance of all of Beethoven's string quartets in an order prescribed by Frederick Slee. The concert series dates to 1955 and has featured some of the most renowned string quartets, including the Budapest, Guarnieri, Juilliard, Cleveland, Tokyo, Emerson, and Concord quartets. The Music Department at The State University of Buffalo administers the Slee Bequest and the annual series of concerts are held in Slee Concert Hall located at the University. The endowment also funds the Slee professorship in the Music Department.
The collection contains various documents pertaining to the lives of Frederick Caldecott Slee and his wife, Alice, including music-related writings by Frederick Slee, correspondence, clippings about the Slees, documents concerning the Slee Bequest to the University of Buffalo, and concert programs. The collection contains eighteen photographs of friends and family. The majority of the family photographs are of Frederick C. Slee and his wife, Alice. There are two photographs of Slee's Sunday morning string quartet, taken in his music room, and a photograph of the Slee home at 59 Saybrook Place in Buffalo.
One of the highlights of the collection is a typewritten daily log of a sailing trip taken in 1914, by Frederick C. Slee and his friends, George T. Moseley and Louis Wright Simpson. The log includes 46 leaves, with 30 photographs taken during their three week journey. The author of this log was also the purser, Louis Wright Simpson. Frederick Slee signed on as Captain, and Mr. George Moseley was the yacht's Mate. Mr. Slee and his companions left the Buffalo Yacht Club, beginning their trip on Lake Erie. The second day they traveled through the Welland Canal to Lake Ontario. Most of their time was spent sailing the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario. Many of the photographs show life aboard the Althea: hoisting the sails, cleaning up after cooking, and taking turns behind the wheel. The sailing trip commenced on July 11, 1914 and ended on August 1, 1914. The first world news they saw after twenty-one carefree days was the newspaper headline, "Germany Declares War", the beginning of World War I.
The collection is arranged in seven series:
| Box | Item | Contents |
| 1 | 1 | Log of the Good Yacht Althea on the Summer Cruise of
1914,
July 11-August 1, 1914 46 typescript leaves ; 28 cm. |
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Contains thirty 2 x 3 inch snapshots taken during the voyage. Participants were Frederick Slee, George T. Mosley, and Louis Wright Simpson. The logbook was written by Simpson. |
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The entire logbook is available online in UBdigit . All of the thirty photographs in the logbook are individually described and available in the Slee Family Collection in UBdigit. |
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II. Photographs,
circa 1900-1910
Item 2-19 |
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Eighteen photographs of Slee family and friends. |
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| Box | Item | Contents |
| 1 | slp002 | Frederick Caldecott Slee,
undated  View a digital version of this item1 photograph Photographer Beach, Howard |
| 1 | slp003 | Frederick Caldecott Slee,
1910 View a digital version of this item 1 photograph Photographer Nussbaumer |
| 1 | slp004 | Alice Slee,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph Photographer Freres, Leon |
| 1 | slp005 | John P. Seymour and Grace Gratten Collins,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp006 | Charles Gus Augustus Collins and Frederick Caldecott
Slee,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp007 | Katie Simpson,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp008 | Grace Cotton Collins and Alice Slee,
March 1908 View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp009 | Alice Slee,
March 1908 View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp010 | Grace Gratten Collins,
March 1908 View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp011 | Alice Slee,
March 1908 View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp012 | Frederick Caldecott Slee, 2nd from right, with string
quartet,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp013 | Frederick Caldecott Slee, 2nd from right, with string
quartet,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp014 | Flooding river, unidentified location,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph Photographer Collins, Charles Augustus? |
| 1 | slp015 | Canal lock (possibly Lockport, N.Y.),
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph Photographer Collins, Charles Augustus? |
| 1 | slp016 | Frederick Caldecott Slee in automobile,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp017 | Group of eleven boys,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp018 | Building, possibly in Buffalo, N.Y.,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
| 1 | slp019 | Interior view of room, possibly in Slee home,
undated View a digital version of this item 1 photograph |
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III. Writings of Frederick Slee,
1914-1938
Item 20-28 |
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Roughly in chronological order. |
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| Box | Item | Contents |
| 2 | 20 |
From Wagner to Schoenberg
1914 Typescript (15 leaves) |
| 2 | 21 | Untitled reminiscences,
after 1924 Typescript with ms. additions ([26] leaves; numbered 4-6, 6 ½, 7-9, 9 ½, 9 1/2A, 10-19, 22-28) |
| 2 | 22 | Concerts of Saybrook String Quartet, [programs and notes
for concerts],
November 1931-May 30, 1937
Typescript ([38] leaves; title page, 36 numbered leaves, with leaf 33 repeated) |
| 2 | 23 | Saybrook String Quartet program,
May 1938 Typescript (1 leaf) |
| 2 | 24 | Saybrook String Quartet program,
September 1938
Typescript (1 leaf) |
| 2 | 25 | Saybrook String Quartet program,
April 2, 1939 Typescript (1 leaf) |
| 2 | 26 | Saybrook String Quartet program,
April 30, 1939
Typescript (1 leaf) |
| 2 | 27 | Saybrook String Quartet program,
May 30, 1939 Typescript (1 leaf) |
| 2 | 28 | Summary of Saybrook String Quartet repertoire,
undated Typescript (1 leaf) |
| Box | Item | Contents |
| 2 | 29 | Original letter from Mrs. Alice Slee concerning
repertoire of the Saybrook String Quartet, sent to audience members to solicit
recommendations for future seasons. Marked with answers by unknown recipient,
undated Typescript with ms. additions (1 leaf) |
| 2 | 30 | Capen, Grace,
undated Manuscript (3 leaves) |
| 2 | 31 | Perry, Elizabeth(?),
undated Manuscript (1 folded leaf) |
| 2 | 32 | Silverman, Oscar,
undated Manuscript (1 leaf) |
| 2 | 33 | Unidentified correspondent,
undated Manuscript (1 folded leaf) |
| 2 | 34 | Apthorp, William F. to Frederick Slee, concerning
program notes for Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts,
October 29, 1896
Typescript (1 leaf) |
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V. Clippings,
1954-1981
Item 35-41 |
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Arranged in chronological order. |
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| Box | Item | Contents |
| 3 | 35 | Obituary for Frederick Caldecott Slee, 1954 |
| 3 | 36 | Obituary for Frederick Caldecott Slee, 1954 |
| 3 | 37 | Buffalo Evening News November 12, 1954 |
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Report of Slee Bequest to the University of Buffalo (photocopy) |
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| 3 | 38 | Buffalo Evening News October 1, 1955 |
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Article about first cycle of Beethoven string quartets performed by the Budapest Quartet. |
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| 3 | 39 | Buffalo Evening News obituary for Alice Slee (photocopy), May 21, 1956 |
| 3 | 40 | Buffalo Evening News article by John Dwyer about Frederick and Alice Slee and the twentieth anniversary of the Slee Beethoven String Quartet Cycle series, January 24, 1976 |
| 3 | 41 | Buffalo Evening News, article by John Dwyer about Frederick and Alice Slee and the upcoming twenty-fifth season of the Slee Beethoven String Quartet Cycle series (photocopy) , July 19, 1981 |
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VI. Slee Bequest Documents,
1952-1981
Item 42-44 |
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Arranged in chronological order. |
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| Box | Item | Contents |
| 3 | 42 | Last Will and Testament of Frederick C. and Alice Slee,
October 1952 3 leaves |
| 3 | 43 | Letter to Alice Slee from Claude E. Puffer, Treasurer of
the University of Buffalo, thanking Mrs. Slee for receipt of funds to cover
expense of concert by the Budapest String Quartet,
September 20, 1955 1 leaf |
| 3 | 44 |
“The proper usage of the Slee Bequest and
its integration with other departmental resources”, written by James
McKinnon, The Music Department, SUNY at Buffalo,
1981 14 leaves |
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VII. Programs,
1894-2005
Item 45-90 |
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Arranged in seven subseries by location. |
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| Item | Item | Contents |
| 3 | 45 |
Program for performance of Beethoven string quartets
by the Budapest String Quartet,
February 22, 1955
2 leaves (photocopy) |
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The concert was performed in memory of Frederick C.
Slee.
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| 3 | 46 |
Program for concerts at Samuel P. Capen Hall at the
University of Buffalo of Beethoven string quartets by the Budapest String
Quartet, the first two concerts presented in the continuing Slee Beethoven
String Quartet Cycle series,
September 23 1955 and
September 24, 1955.
2 leaves (photocopy) |
| 3 | 47 |
Program note booklet for twentieth consecutive playing
of the Slee Beethoven Quartet Cycle,
1976
7 pages |
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With notes written by John Dwyer.
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| 3 | 48 |
Fifty years of Beethoven, 1955-2005. Program booklet
for Slee Beethoven Quartet Cycle,
2005-2006
13 pages |
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With notes by Paul Katz.
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| Alphabetically arranged by organization and then chronologically. | ||
| Item | Item | Contents |
| 3 | 49 |
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sanders
Theatre, Harvard University
October 18, 1894
1 leaf |
| 3 | 50 |
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sanders
Theatre, Harvard University
October 19, 1894
1 leaf |
| 3 | 51 |
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sanders
Theatre, Harvard University
November 2, 1894
1 leaf |
| 3 | 52 |
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sanders
Theatre, Harvard University
November 16, 1894
1 leaf |
| 3 | 53 |
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sanders
Theatre, Harvard University
January 4, 1895
1 leaf |
| 3 | 54 |
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sanders
Theatre, Harvard University
February 15, 1895
1 leaf |
| 3 | 55 |
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sanders
Theatre, Harvard University
March 8, 1895
1 leaf |
| 3 | 56 |
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sanders
Theatre, Harvard University
April 6, 1895
1 leaf |
| 3 | 57 |
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Sanders
Theatre, Harvard University
April 26, 1895
1 leaf |
| 3 | 58 |
Handel and Haydn Society, Boston Music
Hall
December 18, 1893
5 pages |
| 3 | 59 |
Handel and Haydn Society,
April 18, 1894
1 leaf |
| 3 | 60 |
Pierian Sodality of Harvard University,
Radcliffe College
May 10, 1894
1 leaf |
| 3 | 61 |
Harvard Glee Club,
Pierian Sodality,
Harvard Banjo Club, and
Harvard Mandolin Club, Sanders Theatre,
Harvard University
May 17, 1894
1 booklet (12 pages) |
| 3 | 62 |
Pierian Sodality and
Mandolin Club of Harvard University,
Assembly Hall, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
May 23, 1894
1 folded leaf |
| 3 | 63 |
Pierian Sodality,
Harvard Banjo Club, and
Harvard Mandolin Club, Sanders Theatre,
Harvard University
December 18, 1894
1 booklet (12 pages) |
| 3 | 64 |
Pierian Sodality,
Harvard Banjo Club, and
Harvard Mandolin Club, Sanders Theatre,
Harvard University
May 23, 1895
1 booklet (11 pages) |
| 3 | 65 |
Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.),
Mechanics Hall Auditorium (Boston, Mass.)
February 27, 1894
1 leaf |
| 3 | 66 |
Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.),
Mechanics Hall Auditorium (Boston, Mass.)
March 2, 1894
1 leaf |
| 3 | 67 |
Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.) :
Concert program of selections from various operas, Mechanics Hall Auditorium
(Boston, Mass.)
March 4, 1894
1 leaf |
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Performers include Nellie Melba.
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| 3 | 68 |
Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.),
Mechanics Hall Auditorium (Boston, Mass.)
March 9, 1894
1 leaf |
| 3 | 69 |
New York Symphony Orchestra, Walter
Damrosch, conductor, Boston Theatre
April 11-12, 1894?
1 leaf |
| 3 | 70 |
Sherwood, William H., b. 1854, Boston,
1895?
1 booklet (6 pages) |
| Item | Item | Contents |
| 3 | 71 |
Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, Music Hall
(Buffalo, N.Y.),
January 7, 1897
1 booklet (16 pages) |
| 3 | 72 |
Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, Music Hall
(Buffalo, N.Y.),
February 4, 1897
1 booklet (14 pages) |
| 3 | 73 |
Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, Music Hall
(Buffalo, N.Y.),
February 3, 1898
1 booklet (16 pages) |
| 3 | 74 |
Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, Music Hall
(Buffalo, N.Y.),
March 10, 1898
1 booklet (16 pages) |
| 3 | 75 |
Twentieth Century Club (Buffalo, N.Y.):
Song recital by Mr. and Mrs. Georg Henschel,
November 26, [1897?]
1 booklet (8 pages) |
| 3 | 76 |
Twentieth Century Club (Buffalo, N.Y.):
String quartet concert,
March 24, 1933
1 leaf |
| Item | Item | Contents |
| 3 | 77 |
Café Parisien, Hotel Savoy Menu,
July 4, 1924
1 folded leaf |
| 3 | 78 |
Worshipful Company of Musicians,
Stationers Hall
July 8, 1924
1 leaf |
| 3 | 79 |
Worshipful Company of Musicians,
Stationers Hall,
July 8, 1924
1 leaf |
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Diagram of banquet seating.
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| 3 | 80 |
Worshipful Company of Musicians,
Stationers Hall: Concert program,
July 8, 1924
1 booklet (5 pages) |
| Item | Item | Contents |
| 3 | 81 |
New Theatre (New York, N.Y.): Program for
performance of
Beethoven, a dramatic biography by
René Fauchois,
April 11-May 1910
1 folded leaf |
| Item | Item | Contents |
| 3 | 90 |
Busch, Adolf, 1891-1952:
Accademica di Santa Cecilia,
December 24, 1924
1 booklet (16 pages) |
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog.
