Mary Osterfield Papers (S5122)

1923-2012 

Biography

Mary Henrietta King was born July 22, 1911 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She began playing music at an early age; at six she began playing the piano and the violin at age nine. She continued her musical education and training at England’s Royal Academy of Music in London. Mary King met Frank Osterfield and they were married in 1941. She was widowed in 1944 when Frank Osterfield was killed in combat.

In 1947, Mary King Osterfield moved to England. She was invited to play for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra where she played in the violin section from 1949 to 1962. After falling in love with Canada on a vacation, she moved to Canada in the fall of 1962 where she continued her musical pursuits. Shortly after, she became involved with the International Music Camp at the Peace Garden where she remained active for several decades. She moved to Moorhead, MN in 1967 when she was offered a position at Moorhead State University. Known as Ms. King to her students, she taught at MSU until her retirement in 1977. She continued to teach violin to many students from her studio in her home for many years after retiring from MSU. While living in Moorhead, Ms. King played with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. Most of these years, she served as the principal violist. She continued to play until she was 99-year-old when her health declined, and she was forced to retire. Mary Henrietta King Osterfield passed away on January 15, 2012, at one hundred years old.

Collection Description

This collection contains photographs, correspondents, date book diaries, newspaper clippings, drawings and sketches, and scrapbooks containing bits of Mary King Osterfield’s life as a musician. This collection also includes British passports, concert programs and booklets from music events Ms. King performed at, and a small collection of personal pins and buttons.

Inventory

Box 1

  • Biographical Information
  • British passports. 1938-1969
  • Date Book Diaries. 1950-1951
  • Handwritten notes
  • Paper tickets, concert programs, and flyers
  • Italian Violin Book, Letter from Eric Grossman. 2007-2008

Box 2

  • Scrapbooks. 1923-1948
  • Scrapbook
  • CBSO Concert Programs & Syllabi, Royal Concert Program. 1949-1960
  • City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra “CBSO” program books. 1953–1963
  • Pins and Buttons

Box 3

  • Photographs
  • Paintings, Drawings, & Sketches (various artists)
  • International Music Camp Plaque “25 years of service” Mary King Osterfield. 1992
  • Mary King “Principal Viola” music folder
  • International Music Camp Poster “Diploma Mary King” made and signed by students. 1965
  • Large print copy documents, photos, articles, and prints
  • Royal College of music Associate Certificate “Mary King.” 1932