The UNT College of Music has received music written by Grammy-winning vocal arranger and renowned vocalist, the late Gene Puerling, along with musical scores, instrumental arrangements and other memorabilia from Puerling’s widow, Helen. The Gene Puerling Collection will reside in the Special Collections section of UNT’s Music Library, and arrived at UNT on Oct. 27. The collection will be accessible for the entire UNT community and guests by special arrangement. It will be housed in UNT’s Music Library on the fourth floor of Willis Library. Those who would like to access it should give the Music Library staff at least one day’s notice to make the collection readily available. Contact the Music Library staff at musicref@unt.edu or (940) 565-2860.
Included in the collection of the renowned vocalist and vocal arranger for The Hi-Lo’s! and The Singers Unlimited is music written by Puerling from his earliest days, beginning in the 1940s, until his death in 2008. The instrumental arrangements that often accompanied Puerling’s vocal arrangements will also be included in the collection, including music penned by Frank Comstock, Patrick Williams, Roger Kellaway, Rob McConnell, Les Hooper and Clare Fischer. In addition to musical scores, the collection will contain memorabilia related to Puerling’s life and work, including letters of admiration from renowned musicians, scripts from live television programs, and countless recordings made throughout his life.