The collection is arranged in series as follows:

Series 1: Hymnody

Series 2: Baptist Association Minutes

Series 3: Fiddler's Convention

Series 4: Correspondence

Series 5: Subject Files

Series 6: Photographs / Slides

Series 7: Miscellaneous Publications and Material (Oversize)

Series 8: Digitization Logs and Box Label Contents for Reel-to-Reel Tapes

Tallmadge earned degrees in Music at Oberlin College (Ohio), in 1940 (B.M.) and 1946 (M.M.).  From 1949-1976 he was on the faculty of State University College in Buffalo, New York where his research and teaching concentrated on both Anglo and African American popular musical genres. He continued this non-classical focus at Berea (1976-1984) with course work on the history of Jazz and its relation to newer musical trends such as Rock, Soul, and Disco.  Articles published as a result of his hymnody research include “Baptist Mono-phonic and Heterophonic Hymnody in the Southern Appalachians,” Yearbook for International Musical Research (1977), and “Folk Organum: A Stucy of Origins,” American Music (1984) 2(3): 47-65.

Tallmadge, William H.

African Americans -- Music -- History and criticism.
Appalachian Region, Southern -- Religious life and customs.
Baptists -- Hymns.
Church music -- Appalachian Region.
Folk music -- Appalachian Region -- History and criticism.
Gospel music.
Old Regular Baptists -- Appalachian Region -- History.
Old Regular Baptists -- Hymns.
Old Regular Baptists--Kentucky--Hymns.
Regular Baptists.
Spirituals (Songs).