Dungill Family Papers
Finding Aid: Dungill Family Papers
Repository:
Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature
Dungill Family PapersThe
Dungill Family Papers document the history of the musical
accomplishments of the Dungill family between the 1930s and the
1980s. The Dungills resided in Chicago’s historic Morgan Park
community, and developed a unique family orchestra that consisted of
nine family members: the parents, Doyle and Evette Dungill, and the
children: Alexander, Elaine, Melody, Gerald, Charles, Gloria, and
Harriette. As professionally trained musicians, Doyle and Evette decided
early in their marriage to develop a musical family. As a result of
this dream, all seven of their children were trained in music by the age
of three. Every member of the group was trained in the areas of voice
and instrumental music. They played the trombone, coronet, marimba,
trumpet, drums, bass tuba, piano and saxophone. The Dungills also
mastered a variety of forms of music, including choral, classical, and
popular music and developed a rich repertoire of vocal solos,
instrumentals, duets, trios, quartets, and sextets in English, Italian,
Russian, Hawaiian, Spanish, German, and several African languages.
Selected Artifacts
