Percussive Arts Society International Headquarters and Museum: The formative years in Lawton, Oklahoma, 1989-1995.

Abstract

This study chronicled the historical events dealing with the establishment of the Percussive Arts Society International Headquarters and Museum 1989--1995. The relocation of the Society's headquarters and museum to Lawton, Oklahoma, afforded the possibility of establishing a world research site for all historical data, instrument collections, and other archival materials related to percussion. Information used in this study consisted of correspondence, memos, grant proposals, magazine articles, event programs, and newspaper articles. Additionally, interviews were conducted with individuals instrumental in the relocation process and in the establishment of the new PAS headquarters and museum. Interviews were conducted with Steve Beck, former Executive Director of PAS; James Lambert, former Executive Editor of Percussive Notes; Jim Wood, Executive Director of The McMahon Foundation; and Dr. Charles S. Graybill, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The McMahon Foundation. Additionally, a portion of this document examined the workings of The McMahon Foundation and the partnership developed between the Foundation and the Percussive Arts Society. Finally, the study briefly discussed the impact the relocation of the Percussive Arts Society to Lawton, Oklahoma has had on the Society.

Since its beginning in 1960, the Percussive Arts Society has remained the leading organization dedicated to education in and the advancement of the percussive arts. However, the path in which the Society has remained steadfast to its mission has varied. This study examines the relocation of the Percussive Arts Society to Lawton, Oklahoma between 1989 and 1995. The need to discover, collect, document preserve, and disseminate items of historical value during this time period has had and will continue to have an important impact on the Society's future. Frederick Fairchild, former Historian for the Percussive Arts Society, provided the Society with a historical overview from 1960 until 1989. However, a formal study of the relocation of PAS to Lawton, Oklahoma from the years 1989 to 1995 was needed in order to connect these historical events to the past.