University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Budziszewski, Joseph B., 1922- .

Papers, 1949-1981.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 38

.8 cubic ft. (1 small archives box, 1 oversize box)

ABSTRACT: Papers of a Milwaukee electrician primarily concerned with his avocation of singing and with his performances in operatic productions. Included are his files of memorabilia from his singing engagements: programs, handbills, and newspaper reviews, advertisements, and clippings, together with several music scores of Polish folk songs in arrangements which Budziszewski commissioned and performed in open-air concerts. Much of the collection consists of photocopies.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The collection primarily consists of Budziszewski's files of memorabilia from his singing engagements. These include programs; newspaper reviews, advertisements, and clippings; handbills; and other items. The earliest material (1949-1969) was originally mounted in scrapbooks, and also includes photographs of Budziszewski in various roles. These scrapbooks were loaned for copying and the photocopies placed in the collection. Later files date from 1969 to 1981, and consist of both photocopies and original items. Also included are copies of the music scores commissioned by Budziszewski: "Evening Song," "Rozszumiaty sie Wierzby," and "Hejze ino Fioleczku Lesny," arranged by Edmund Assaly, and "Idzie Maciek, Idzie," and "Sialem Proso na Zagonie" arranged by Leonhard Rose.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Joseph Budziszewski was born in 1922 in Milwaukee. His father immigrated to the United States from the Bialystok region of Poland; later he worked as a coal miner in Pennsylvania and as a medic with the 103rd Division during World War I. He finally settled in Milwaukee where he was employed in a foundry. Joseph graduated from St. Hyacinth School in Milwaukee, and during World War I. He finally settled in Milwaukee where he was employed in a foundry. Joseph graduated from St. Hyacinth School in Milwaukee, and during World War II served as a radio operator with the 103rd Division. Following the war he worked as an electrician with Cutler-Hammer, and currently is employed in the same capacity at the Milwaukee City Hall. In 1954 Budziszewski spent a year at the Salvatorian Fathers Seminary in Menominee, Michigan, where he studied Latin, German, and the Gregorian chant. He married JoAnne Mauhs, a former Sister of Notre Dame, in 1973.

In 1959 Budziszewski began studying voice seriously with Clara Bloomfield. Although he had sung with St. Stanislaus church choir since 1947 (and still does so), and with local choruses and glee clubs, Budziszewski's first operatic role was as the jailer in the 1959 production of Tosca. Since that time Budziszewski has sung in several opera productions each year with various Milwaukee groups, and has won critical acclaim for his performances. He also sings for the New Life Choir (Chor Nowe Zycie), for special programs and events, and for the annual "Hi Neighbor" concerts held in Kosciusko Park. For the latter, Budziszewski commissioned the orchestration of a different Polish folk song each year, which he performed in the Polish language.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Budziszewski, Joseph B., 1922- . Papers, 1949-1981. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 38. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. Golda Meir Library. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Presented by Joseph B. Budziszewski of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1981 (accession number M81-176).

PROCESSING:Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt in June 1981.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Folk-songs, Polish--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Opera--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Music.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 38	BOX	FOLDER
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1969	1	1
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1970	1	2
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1971	1	3
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1972	1	4
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1973	1	5
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1974	1	6
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1975	1	7
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1976	1	8
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1977	1	9
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1978	2	1
Files of Progrmas, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1979	2	2
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Material, 1980	2	3
Files of Programs, Reviews, Clippings, and Other Materials, 1981	2	4
Music Scores, 1975, undated	2	7
Scrapbooks, 1949-1967	2	5
Scrapbooks, 1967-1969	2	6