Guide to the Mahlon Merrick Papers 1953-1967
Cage 361

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Creator
Merrick, Mahlon
Title
Mahlon Merrick Papers
ID
Cage 361
Date [inclusive]
1953-1967
Extent
6, 7 linear feet of shelf space., 121 items.
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
Published and unpublished musical compositions and arrangements, principally for television; also an opera and a symphony. Included are copies of compositions by Merrick's arranger, Carl Brandt.

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]. Cage 361, Mahlon Merrick Papers. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

Hailing from Centralia, Washington, Mahlon Merrick graduated from Washington State University in 1923 with bachelors’ degrees in both education and music. After a brief teaching experience in schools in the Redmond, Washington, Merrick devoted himself to a career in music.

Beginning as a saxophonist at the Old Italian Gardens in Spokane’s Davenport Hotel, Merrick’s career led him to Hollywood where he was associated with a number of popular television series including The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and  The Bob Cummings Show. For thirty years he remained the musical director for comedian Jack Benny. A versatile composer, a number of his works appear under the pseudonym, "Gene LaGrande."

In 1965, Mr. Merrick retired to Palm Springs, California. In September of the following year, however, he made a guest appearance at Washington State University for the first performance of the Cougar Marching Song which he had composed for his alma mater. On August 7, 1969, at the age of 69 years, Mr. Merrick succumbed to cancer.

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Scope and Content

The Mahlon Merrick collection of musical compositions includes marches, television background music and themes, listening music, an opera, and a symphony. The Gillette Look Sharp March is Merrick's best known composition.

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Arrangement

Series 1, Compositions and Arrangements, consists of sheet music, orchestrations, and original manuscripts. Although most of these compositions are unrelated, two comprehensive works are included: the opera, Sun Stone and the symphony  Song of Youth.

Series 2, Miscellaneous Papers, consists of Mr. Merrick’s arrangements of the background music for the National Football League television programs, mementos of his career, and compositions by his arranger, Carl Brandt.

The compositions are arranged in alphabetical order in each series; however, the indicated oversize material has been placed at the end of the collection in alphabetical sequence.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2012

http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research use.

Acquisition Information

The Mahlon Merrick collection was deposited in the Washington State University Libraries by Mrs. Mahlon Merrick in June of 1977 (1977-33).

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Names and Subjects

Occupation(s)

  • Composers--Washington (State)--Manuscripts

Personal Name(s)

Creator(s) :
  • Merrick, Mahlon, ca. 1900-1969 --Archives
Subject(s) :
  • Brandt, Carl

Subject(s)

  • Music -- Manuscripts
  • Performing Arts
  • Washington (State)

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Detailed Description of Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series 1: Compositions and Arrangements 

box-folder

Anyone for Venice 

1 / 1

April Prelude 

1 / 1

Baby You're the Sweetest One 

1 / 1

Benny Medley 

1 / 1

The Bee, original 

1 / 1

The Be Sharp March 

1 / 1

Bridge of Sighs 

1 / 1

Come and See 

1 / 1

Concerto for Lefthanded Glockenspiel 

1 / 1

Crinoline Curtain 

1 / 1

Curfew 

1 / 1

The Curious Cat 

1 / 1

Dancing Slipper 

1 / 2

December Song 

1 / 2

Drifting Sands 

1 / 2

Ebony Rhapsody 

1 / 2

The Gillette Look Sharp March 

1 / 3

Hearse Race 

1 / 4

Highway to Oblivion 

1 / 4

I Ain't Down Yet 

1 / 4

I'm Wearing the Latest Shade of Blue 

1 / 4

Impact Theme 

1 / 4

Infinite Melody 

1 / 4

Just Another April 

1 / 4

Katy Did 

1 / 4

Kickoff March 

1 / 4

Lady of the Evening 

1 / 4

Last Dance 

1 / 4

Lasting Love 

1 / 4

Little Walk 

1 / 4

Main Event (part in oversize, folder C) 

1 / 4

Main Title 

1 / 4

Mike's Dream 

1 / 4

Mister Moon 

1 / 4

Montage 

1 / 4

Morning is Crying 

1 / 4

Music for Playboys to Play by 

1 / 4

Musical Show 

1 / 4

Nellie 

1 / 5

Nevertheless 

1 / 5

Night Mare 

1 / 5

October Prelude 

1 / 5

Paradise 

1 / 5

Park Avenue Promenade 

1 / 5

Practical Dreamer 

1 / 5

Private Secretary 

1 / 5

The Red and Gold 

1 / 6

Richard Couer de Lion 

1 / 6

Rochester Opening 

1 / 6

Romantic Dance 

1 / 6

Romantic Reunion 

1 / 6

Six Flags over Texas (part in oversize, folder C) 

1 / 6

Stringers Assorted 

1 / 6

Strange Enchantment 

1 / 6

Stranger in the Manger 

1 / 6

Summer Idyl 

1 / 6

Sweet and Lovely 

1 / 6

Swinging Q 

1 / 6

Symphony #1 in B flat- Song of Youth (part in oversize, folder G) 

2 / 7-8

To a Wild Rose 

2 / 9

Tommy the Timid Little Turkey 

2 / 9

Two Gentlemen from Siam 

2 / 9

Two to Go 

2 / 9

When You Belong to Me 

2 / 9

Whispering Pines (part in oversize, folder H) 

2 / 9

Picnic for Percussion 

2 / 9

The Wistful Corpse 

2 / 10

With the Rain and Wind 

2 / 10

The Woman on the Gentleman's Mind 

2 / 10

When You Say 

2 / 10

Wind Bells 

2 / 10

You're my Particular One 

2 / 10

Zigeunerweisen 

2 / 10

Zulu Wu Wu 

2 / 10

Cherry Coke 

Oversize / A

Cougar Marching Song 

Oversize / A

Criminal Humnal 

Oversize / A

Crisis 

Oversize / A

Crooks Tour 

Oversize / A

Death at Dawn 

Oversize / A

Dialogue 

Oversize / A

Dialogue for Piano and Orchestra 

Oversize / A

The Dixie Drag 

Oversize / A

Encore Espanola 

Oversize / B

The Fickle Finger of Fate 

Oversize / C

Homicide Sweet Homicide 

Oversize / C

How are You Fixed for Blades 

Oversize / C

The Impatient Corpse 

Oversize / C

Lethal Leer 

Oversize / C

The Little Noose 

Oversize / C

March #1 

Oversize / C

Mayhem in the AM 

Oversize / C

Main Event (part in Box 1, folder #4) 

Oversize / C

Max Factor Signature 

Oversize / C

Optional Signature 

Oversize / C

Seven Winds 

Oversize / C

Six Flags over Texas (part in Box 1, folder #6) 

Oversize / C

Songs of the Islands 

Oversize / D

The Sun Stone 

Oversize / E-F

Symphony #1 in B~ - Song of Youth (part in Box 2, folder #7) 

Oversize / G

Whispering Pines (part in Box 2, folder 9) 

Oversize / H

Zigeunerweisen 

Oversize / H

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Series 2: Miscellaneous Papers 

box-folder

Mementos 1957-1967  8 items.

2 / 11

Carl Brandt compositions 

2 / 12

Morning After 

2 / 12

Prairie Duster 

2 / 12

Snow Flurries 

2 / 12

Song of the Wind 

2 / 12

Wind of the Southern Sea 

2 / 12

Wind in the Reeds 

2 / 12

Voo-Doo Woo Woo 

Oversize / K

N.F.L. Program 

Oversize / I-J

Assault and Battery 

Oversize / I-J

The Atlantans 

Oversize / I-J

Bone Breaker 

Oversize / I-J

March 

Oversize / I-J

Bonus Boy 

Oversize / I-J

Broker Field 

Oversize / I-J

Chicago Bears 

Oversize / I-J

Down the Field 

Oversize / I-J

First Quarter 

Oversize / I-J

He Flies Thru the Air 

Oversize / I-J

Kick Off 

Oversize / I-J

The N.F.L. March 

Oversize / I-J

The N.F.L. Signature 

Oversize / I-J

Point After 

Oversize / I-J

Run Back 

Oversize / I-J

Tight End 

Oversize / I-J

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