The Stanley collection consists mainly of manuscripts of his articles, lectures, and speeches on musical topics. There is, in addition, Stanley's research material, including musical notes and analyses, notes intended to accompany illustrations of musical instruments found in the Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments at the University of Michigan, and scrapbooks containing concert programs featuring Stanley and his work. Stanley's autobiography, "Echoes of a busy life or reminiscences of a professor emeritus" is a valuable source of personal information.
Albert A. Stanley was born at Manville, Rhode Island, on May 25, 1851. At the age of fourteen years he became organist at the Congregational Church at Slaterville, Rhode Island. Three years later, he was selected to be organist at the Church of the Medeator in Providence. From 1871 to 1875 he studied abroad, graduating from the Leipzig Conservatory. In his early career, Stanley excelled as organist, conductor and composer.
In 1888, James B. Angell, President of the University of Michigan, invited Stanley to the university as professor of music and director of the University Musical Society. As a result of his efforts, the University School of Music came into existence as successor to what up to that time had been known as the "Ann Arbor School of Music." During his preliminary years in Arbor, Stanley also organized the community's concert activities, and gradually inaugurated noteworthy series of public musical programs. In 1894, as the closing event in the season's series of concerts, Stanley initiated the first Annual May Festival. Within a relatively short time the Ann Arbor May Festival became recognized as one of the great festivals of the world. In the Festival series and in the Choral Union Concert series, which each year preceded the Festival program, many of the world's most celebrated artists performed.
Stanley's great influence in the field of music was not limited to his activities at the University or in the city of Ann Arbor. He also took a prominent part in the state, national and international musical affairs, serving as treasurer and twice as president of the Music Teachers National Association. He was a founder of the College of Musicians, president of the American Section of the International Musical Society, and twice president of the Michigan Music Teachers Association. In 1890, the University of Michigan conferred on him the honorary degree of Master of Arts, and in 1930 the degree of Doctor of Music. He died May 19, 1932.
