Contact: Addie Mayfield

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A unique contribution from a Mississippi State University alumni couple, Chip and Connie Templeton of Starkville, will further enhance the extensive collection of the MSU Libraries’ Charles H. Templeton Sr. Music Museum.

Located on the fourth floor of Mitchell Memorial Library, the museum features more than 22,000 pieces of sheet music representing all stages in the development of music reproduction, 200 self-playing musical instruments, 15,000 recordings and musical memorabilia from the 1880s-1930s, all of which were donated to MSU more than 30 years ago by Chip’s father and fellow alumnus, Charles H. Templeton Sr.

Adding to the impressive collection, the couple’s recent gift includes recordings, piano rolls, sheet music, period furniture and instruments. These pieces will be featured during the upcoming 12th Annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival, taking place March 22-24.

Hosted by the University Libraries, the festival will kick-off with a “Gatsby Gala” 1920s-inspired fashion show, followed by tours of the Templeton Music Museum, seminars, silent movies, and concert performances by some of the world’s most talented ragtime, jazz and blues musicians. Chip Templeton, who serves as co-chair of the Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival, will deliver a presentation during the event to discuss some of the collection’s latest pieces.

A 1977 marketing graduate and self-taught jazz pianist, Templeton is the director of the MSU Small Business Development Center. Connie Templeton, a fellow 1977 graduate with a home economics degree, went on to earn a master’s degree in industrial technology in 1994 and now serves as an instructor for MSU Extension. Beyond their most recent gift to the museum, the Templetons have invested nearly 35 years of ongoing support to various areas across the university including the Starkville-MSU Symphony, Steinway Piano Fund, University Libraries and student scholarships.

“The Templeton family has been extremely generous and supportive of the MSU Libraries over the years. We cannot thank them enough for their continued support,” said Dean of Libraries Frances N. Coleman. “This most recent donation will further strengthen the Templeton Collection in support of teaching and research.”  

For more information on supporting the University Libraries, contact Trish Cunetto, director of development for the College of Education and MSU Libraries, at 662-325-6762 or tcunetto@foundation.msstate.edu.

Additional information about the Charles H. Templeton Sr. Music Museum and the Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival also can be found at http://lib.msstate.edu/templeton/index.php.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.