Edwin Fissinger Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 226

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Edwin Fissinger Papers document his prolific career as a composer primarily through an extensive collection of his original arrangements. The papers have been organized into three series: Fissinger’s dissertation on Antonio Caldara, Publications, and Compositions. The correspondence folder contains only several letters (1963-1966) from World Library of Sacred Music related to the publishing of his music. The award nomination contains the formal nomination made by Sandra K. Stanley for a NDSU award. Dr. Fissinger completed his Ph.D. dissertation in 1965 at the University of Illinois, titled Selected Sacred Works of Antonio Caldara. This series contains his research notes and copies of Caldara’s music. The collection does not include a copy of the completed dissertation. The Publications Series includes several books that include compositions by Fissinger or items he edited. Christ is Risen includes his “Alleluia! The Strife is O’er.” This work is composed of nine organ pieces based on Easter hymn tunes and published in 1965. One Faith in Song includes both the two and three equal voices books. Fissinger’s contributions include, All Hail, Adored Trinity; Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty; Lord, Who at Thy first Eucharist Didst Pray; Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow, Sing of Mary; Sunday Hymn; Faith of our Fathers; and Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence. The book Parish Liturgy, a book of Mass ordinaries and hymns for Mass and the sacraments, includes a number of compositions by Fissinger for the Mass. Six Soft Pieces includes Fissinger’s “To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King.” There is also a copy of his Workbook of Music Fundamentals, published in 1959. The Compositions Series constitutes the great majority of the collection and has been organized alphabetically by title. With the preponderance of music titles, italics have not been used. If provided, dates and other information are given with the entry on the finding aid. The first two folders contain music manuscripts by Dr. Fissinger for music to be used in Catholic church services, including the Alleluia, Gloria, Gradual, Introit, Propers, etc. For all other compositions the research should consult the box/folder listing for specific titles. Almost all are the handwritten work of Dr. Fissinger, with only an occasional draft or final printed version. A later donation (2010) includes three of Fissinger’s original works. They are Eight Songs for Mezzo Soprano and Four Songs for Soprano which are similar to those in the original collection, with slight differences. For Sing Noel there is a copy of the 1957 published version by World Library Publications and a mimeographed mss version with a personal inscription by Fissinger to the recipient Frances Mandell. Sing Noel was given to Mrs. Mandell by Fissinger. The others were given by Fissinger to Ms. Maxine Mandell, Mrs. Mandell’s daughter.

Dates

1948-1990

Creator

Fissinger, Edwin, 1920-1990. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

The Institute does not own the copyrights.

Biography

Edwin R. Fissinger was born June 15, 1920 and attended school at Rockford, Illinois. He earned an undergraduate degree at Marquette University, Milwaukee. He served during World War II in the U.S. Air Force. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. While there he specialized in composition and studied under Leo Sowerby. He earned his doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1965, where, in addition to studies in music literature and conducting, he studied musicology with Dragon Plamenac. Dr. Fissinger’s musical career began at the American Conservatory of Music where he was director of the choir and instructor from 1947 to 1954. He then was a graduate assistant in music theory at the University of Illinois from 1954 to 1957. From 1957 until coming to North Dakota State University in 1967 he was chairman of the music department and director of the choir and madrigal singers at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle. At North Dakota State University Dr. Fissinger was chairman of the music department and served as the director of the choir. He was instrumental in 1970 in having the music department earn accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music. He was also instrumental in the construction of the $6 million Music Education Center, dedicated in 1982. Fissinger was nationally recognized as a composer and editor of choral music, with numerous works published. He was editor for a number of years, beginning in 1967, of the Parkway Choral Series of contemporary choral music for World Library Publications. A number of his choral works have been published by this company. From 1958 to 1962 he was consulting editor for Summry-Birchard Publishing Co. In 1973, 1977 and 1983 the NDSU Concert Choir, under his direction, was selected to perform at the opening session of the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association. In 1977 Dr. Fissinger received the NDSU Blue Key Doctor of Service award. He retired in 1985 and continued composing until his death in Fargo on October 16, 1990. Fissinger and Cecile Patricia Monette were married Feb. 27, 1943 in Fresno, California. Cecile was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on July 26, 1917. They raised a son and daughter, Edwin and Laura. Cecile died in 1998. They are buried at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.