IN MEMORIAM
ROBERT J. SNOW
Dr. Robert J. Snow, retired Professor of Musicology,
died Tuesday, June 9, 1998, at his home in Austin. He was a member
of the School of Music faculty from 1976 to 1996. He had previously
taught at the University of Notre Dame, Duquesne University, the
University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Illinois. He held
the B. Mus. and M.A. degrees from Indiana University and the Ph.D.
from the University of Illinois.
Robert Snow, whose area of specialization
was Renaissance liturgical music in the Spanish tradition, was
a prolific researcher, writer and lecturer, and was a member of
several learned societies. He was particularly well known for his
research in archival sources and liturgical music from the Colonial
period in Mexico and Guatemala. Among his numerous articles and
editions of music are two recent publications, Obras Completas
de Rodrigo de Caballos, of which four of the proposed six volumes
have been published, and A New-World Collection of Polyphony
for Holy Week and the Salve Service: Guatemala City, Cathedral
Archive, Music MS 4.
Professor Snow's life-long work in Renaissance
music, especially Spanish sacred music, earned him many honors.
One of these is the prestigious election as a Corresponding Member
of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes (Royal Academy of Fine Arts
in Granada) for his significant contributions in investigating
the musical heritage of Spain. Another honor includes a Festschrift
planned in celebration of his 70th birthday. This volume is now
in press and will be dedicated to his memory.
Professor Snow aroused curiosity and enthusiasm
for musical research in his students and was generous in sharing
his knowledge and resources with them. According to his students'
own comments, Dr. Snow, as adviser to their projects, was always
available for academic assistance and encouragement. In fact, he
made keys to his office available to all graduate students working
with him in order that they might have easy access to his personal
books, notes, inventories and microfilms. He worked tirelessly,
even through ill health, to help students transform their research
into papers worthy of acceptance for presentation at the national
meetings of the American Musicological Society and other scholarly
organizations.
Professor Snow was always nostalgic for
Spain, and when he sold his summer home there, he decided to build
a house which would create a little piece of Granada in Texas.
He spent the last years of his life planning and consulting with
his builder, finally enjoying a transplanted Spanish elegance in
his humble cottage in the heart of Windy Point at Lake Travis.
He was proud of the fountain that stood across from his living
room behind glass doors that encased it and an indoor garden. He
commissioned the fountain from a Spanish artisan and had the fountain
components shipped from Spain to his Texan home.
Professor Snow was a courageous scholar
who believed in saying exactly what he thought. He had a deep concern
for his friends and colleagues, a love for nature, and a brilliant
and challenging intellect. He will be remembered as an ebullient
personality with a strong character who met his many professional
challenges with determination. His colleagues in musicology throughout
the world will remain grateful for his many lasting contributions
to musicological scholarship.
<signed>
Larry R. Faulkner, President
The Univeristy of Texas at Austin
<signed>
John R. Durbin, Secretary
The General Faculty
This memorial resolution was prepared by a Special Committee consisting of
Professors Stephen Slawek (Chair), Elliott Antokoletz, Roger Graybill, and
Betty Mallard.
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