Title: William Boeppler Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1891-1935

Creator:

• Boeppler, William

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 133

Quantity: 0.4 cubic ft. (1 box)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

The collection consists of William Boeppler’s work in the city of Milwaukee, particularly with the Milwaukee A Capella Chorus. It includes mailings, photographs, financial materials, newspaper clippings, and items on the study of music.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0133

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William Boeppler was born in Pferdsfeld, Germany, on 21 February 1863, where he studied piano beginning at the age of six. His first public performances occurred at age 12. Boeppler went on to study theology, philosophy, history, languages, and music at the Universities of Leipzig and Bonn. During this period, he worked under famous musicians and composers such as Arnold Mendelssohn. After his graduation in 1887, Boeppler became a minister in a town near Cologne, Germany, where he directed his first chorus. He worked as a minister for several years, after which he moved to Milwaukee in 1894.

A year after his arrival in Milwaukee, Boeppler organized the Milwaukee A Capella Chorus and directed it until his death. During this time, he was also the Musical Editor of the Milwaukee Herold and the Germania, both German-language newspapers. In 1899, along with Hugo Kaun and Louis Frank, Boeppler founded the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. The school quickly grew to attract famous musicians from around the world. In 1902, he founded the original iteration of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. However, the orchestra only lasted until 1904, when Boeppler moved to Chicago and it disintegrated without a leader.

After his move to Chicago, Boeppler remained active in the German community. In 1904, he directed the Germania Club and the Turner Maennerchor, while visiting Milwaukee two days a week. In 1910 Boeppler organized the Chicago Singverein [concert choir] and took charge of the First National Bank Chorus and the Birchwood Ladies chorus. In 1925, he also took charge of the Bethany Evangelical Church choir and the Chicago Bach Chorus. After leading the Chicago Turngemeinde orchestra during the 1914-1915 season, Boeppler founded his own orchestra – the Boeppler Symphony Orchestra. He died 11 December 1928.

This collection consists of materials relating to William Boeppler’s work in the city of Milwaukee, primarily materials related to the Milwaukee A Capella Chorus, which Boeppler directed. It includes mailings, photographs, financial materials, newspaper clippings, and items on the study of music. Much of the correspondence is from Edmund Groth, who was a president of the A Cappella Chorus.

The collection is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder.

Boeppler, William, Papers, 1891-1935, Collection 133. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

100th Anniversary Commemorative Book, 1899-1999

Germania

Milwaukee Herold

Study on Establishing a Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

No acquisition information is currently available. Materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts.

Processing Information

Inventoried by Kadie Seitz, Fieldworker, 2014. Processed by Bob Jaeger, 2018.

Box   1 Folder   1	Articles of Incorporation, undated
Box   1 Folder   2	Clippings and Memorial, 1928-1930
Box   1 Folder   3	Correspondence, 1917-1935, undated
Box   1 Folder   4	Financial Records, 1922-1928
Box   1 Folder   5	Honors and Tributes, 1927
Box   1 Folder   6	Mailings, 1912-1928
Box   1 Folder   7	Members, 1920-1921, undated
Box   1 Folder   8	Musicology, 1891-1924, undated
Box   1 Folder   9	Photographs, undated
Box   1 Folder   10	Postcards, 1912-1927, undated
Box   1 Folder   11	Printing Plate, undated
Box   1 Folder   12	Programs and Tickets, 1914-1920, undated