Letters, original and photocopied newspaper clippings, an order of service, and magazine articles relating to the death of Derek Bell and the various memorial services and tributes which occurred. Includes letter from President Mary McAleese to Derek Bell’s widow, Stefanie Bell, sympathising with her on the death of her husband. McAleese writes that ‘Derek’s great love of both traditional and classical music was truly remarkable and inspired audiences throughout the world. His contribution to music appreciation has been immense.’ (21 Oct 2002); order of service for ‘A service of thanksgiving for the life of Derek Bell, MBE 1935-2002’ St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast (1 Nov 2002); letter from Peter Browne, Producer RTÉ Radio 1 to Stefanie Bell about a ‘documentary and memorial concert for Derek’ which was broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 on the 1 January 2004 (26 Jan 2004); letter from Liam and Frances Ó Conchubhair to Stefanie Bell enclosing an article in Irish about Derek Bell from the magazine An tUltach, Feabhra 2003, also included is a translation of the article (3 Jun 2003); letters from Brenda Dwyer, Stamp Design and Production, An Post, Dublin 1 to Stefanie Bell informing Bell of ‘a series of stamps celebrating Irish Music and the contribution of artists and performers, such as The Chieftains’ (7 Nov 2006) included with the letter are samples of the stamps and stamp products from the series; and a letter from Declan McGovern, BBC Northern Ireland, Belfast to Stephanie Bell informing her of a ‘BBC documentary on The Chieftains’ which is being made to ‘celebrate 45 years’ of the group (14 Nov 2007).
Original and photocopy newspaper and magazine articles about The Chieftains and their tours, concerts, and recordings from various Irish, British, German, Finnish, Italian, Australian, New Zealand and North American publications. Includes reviews of The Chieftains 5 (Island, ILPS 9334) (18 Oct 1975); articles about The Chieftains being named Group of the Year by ‘Britain’s foremost pop paper, Melody maker ’ (12 Jan 1976); reviews of concerts in Melbourne, Australia (8 June 1977); and Dunedin, New Zealand (23 June 1977); article about the group’s performance in The Phoenix Park, Dublin during the ‘Offering of Mass’ by Pope John Paul II (16 Oct 1979); article about The Chieftains playing for Pope John Paul II at a General Audience in The Vatican, Italy (21 Jan 1980); articles about the premiere in Philadelphia, United States of America of The Chieftains Christmas show ‘A traditional Irish Christmas’ with special guest Geraldine Fitzgerald; (18 Dec 1981); a series of three articles published by the Irish times about The Chieftains tour in China (18-20 May 1983); reviews of Irish heartbeat their album with Van Morrison (18 Jun 1988); reviews of The Chieftains album Bells of Dublin (9 Oct 1991); copies of press clippings for The Chieftains album The long black veil (1995) which was collated by BMG International and RCA (20 Jan 1995); copies of press clippings from North American publications about the release of The Chieftains album Tears of stone (1999); articles about The Chieftains 40th anniversary in 2002 including reviews of their CD The wide world over: a 40-year celebration (19 Mar 2002).
This subseries contains exam papers, lecture notes, articles, newspaper clippings, concert programmes, music catalogues, photographs, drawings, serials, musical instrument catalogues and letters relating to music education, teaching, music research and musical instruments, most notably the piano, harp, oboe, cimbalom and heckelphone. Bell’s study of musical composition as well as his lifelong interest in ethnic music and musical instruments of other countries including Romania, Bulgaria and Peru is reflected in this subseries. His research into the hammered dulcimer which led to the recreation of the ancient Irish instrument known as the tiompán can also be seen in his papers in this subseries (DBE-239678/2/1/4).
Includes student timetables from the Royal College of Music; a music catalogue ‘Selected Works from the Catalogues of the Universal Edition’ (Summer 1954); typed and handwritten music exam papers with annotated comments from examiners; lecture notes; model answers to exam questions; Derek Bell’s MusB degree parchment from Trinity College Dublin (29 Jul 1959); two photographs from the Ninth International Conference of the International Society for Music Education (ISME) which took place in Moscow (14 July 1970); articles about various aspects of musical composition; and newspaper clippings of obituaries of fellow students from Campbell College, Belfast.
Original typed letters relating to Derek Bell’s appointment as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). Includes letter from William Chapman, Secretary for Appointments, 10 Downing Street, London, England to Derek Bell informing him that the Prime Minister [Tony Blair] would like to submit Bell’s name to ‘The Queen’ for the coming list of Birthday Honours. He wants to know from Bell if this would ‘be agreeable’ to him (11 May 2000); also includes a letter from Tim Hitchens, Assistant Private Secretary, Buckingham Palace to Derek Bell thanking him for his CDs, which number 10 Downing Street had passed on. Hitchens will ensure ‘that Her Majesty is made aware’ of them (22 May 2000).
Includes Irish times article about harpist Madame Maria Korchinska (5 Oct 1968); article about avant-garde harp music by Derek Bell ‘A field day for bluffers’ (June 1975); various newspaper clippings relating to harps and harpists; various articles about the Irish harp; concert programme for harpist Sidonie Goossens 100th birthday concert in Wigmore Hall, London (20 Oct 1999); booklet about the concert harp in Bulgarian signed by the author Maria Tutuvilova (August 2000); photocopy of handwritten list of 19th century harp music; photocopy of handwritten letter from harp teacher Alfred Holý to his pupil Artiss [de Volt] (6 July ?); folk and orchestral harp catalogues; photographs of Alfred Holý; and various photographs of harps.
