Series 3 contains manuscript music, published sheet music, concert programs, newspaper/magazine clippings, and photographs. Smith while a member of the John Philip Sousa Band in 1900. Series 2 contains historical music instruments and ephemera used by musicians during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including two clarinets used by A. The films are arranged numerically by film number. The recordings are arranged alphabetically by title within each grouping.
The recordings are arranged by type of performance ensemble and identified with one of the following notations after the title (LP-H: Historic recording, UI: University of Illinois Band, U: Non-University of Illinois Collegiate Bands, M: Military Bands, S: Summer Camp and Festival Bands, and C: Community Bands). Series 1 contains sound recordings and films. The collection is organized in three series. Title: Musical Americana Collection, circa 1900-2000
