Arnold Vernon Baranco papers, 1925-1987

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Summary

Creators:
Baranco, Arnold Vernon, 1915-1987
Abstract:
The Arnold Vernon Baranco papers include newspaper clippings, correspondence, yearbooks, WPA musical programs and photographs related to the life and musical activities of Arnold Vernon Baranco. The collection is organized into three series: biographical, teaching activities, musical activities, and photographs. The biographical series includes certificates, clippings, awards, membership cards, and his high school yearbook. The teaching activities series includes a small number of letter, and the musical programs document WPA performances given by Baranco. The photographs in the collection are related to Baranco's family, friends, and musical activities.
Extent:
.25 linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Arnold Vernon Baranco papers, MS 15, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Arnold Vernon Baranco papers include newspaper clippings, correspondence, yearbooks, WPA musical programs and photographs related to the life and musical activities of Arnold Vernon Baranco. The collection is organized into three series: biographical, teaching activities, musical activities, and photographs. The biographical series includes certificates, clippings, awards, membership cards, and his high school yearbook. The teaching activities series includes a small number of letter, and the musical programs document WPA performances given by Baranco. The photographs in the collection are related to Baranco's family, friends, and musical activities.

Biographical / historical:

Arnold Vernon Baranco was born in Louisiana in 1915 and came to Oakland at the age of nine. He was the first African American probation officer in Alameda County and was active as a singer and choral director. Baranco graduated from the Oakland Technical High School in 1932 and was a member of the A Capella Choir and also earned a varsity letter on the football team. In 1936, he graduated from the Sacramento Junior College, where he was a tenor with their A Capella Choir. He was also elected to Phi Iota Lambda, the Junior College Philosophy Honor Society as well at Phi Theta Kappa, a scholastic fraternity recognizing academic merit. Between 1944-1945, he served as a sergeant in the 370th Infantry Regiment, APO # 92, stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. During that time, he sang as a member of the USO Glee Club. After WW II, in 1948, Baranco received a degree in social welfare from the University of California at Berkeley.

Baranco was actively involved with music throughout his life either as a singer or as a choir director. He was an early member of the Oakland Colored Chorus, which later expanded to sixty singers under the directorship of Elmer Keeton, who acquired its funding from the Works Progress Administration Federal Arts Project. When Elmer Keeton died in 1947, Baranco became one of three co-directors of the choir, renamed the Keeton Memorial Choir. In addition to singing and directing, Baranco also taught two evening classes in singing from 1951-1952 for the Oakland Public Schools.

In 1957, Baranco retired as probation officer. He remained active in music until his death in 1987.

Arrangement:

Series I. Biographical Series II. Teaching activities Series III. Musical activities Series IV. Photographs

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Arnold Vernon Baranco Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Arnold Vernon Baranco papers, MS 15, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
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