A very generous donation of early zither sheet music was recently received by Zither US, compliments of Jerry Turnbaugh. A significant portion of this music, donated in memory of his friend, Charles Schroeter, has now been digitized and is posted here for the enjoyment of the zither community. As an introduction to the collection, Jerry has provided the following remembrance...
Charles Schroeter, Charlie as we knew him, was a close friend and co-worker of my sister, Jean Turnbaugh Hodson, a professor at the University of Washington. Through Jean, Charlie became one of our family and shared his zither talent with us on many occasions.
Charlie was born in London in 1900 and educated in Belgium, Switzerland and Germany. He emigrated to Canada in 1926 and subsequently to Seattle, Washington in 1950. As Charlie tells it, his first contact with the zither was when his uncle gave him a zither and taught him the rudiments when he was 11 years old. He received professional instruction from Franz Degen for about two years and then for another three years from Miss Frieda Meier. He became interested in the piano and took two years of piano lessons.
In Canada, he met Paul Heinrich from whom he ultimately purchased a Meinel Perfecta zither. The zither was Mr. Heinrich's pride and joy and Charlie learned to appreciate it while playing duets with Mr. Heinrich in 1939 and 1940. Mr. Heinrich died in 1943 and Charlie was able to buy the zither from the Heinrich family on Christmas, 1953.
Charlie couldn't find anyone in Seattle with whom to play, so he and Jean bought two reel-to-reel recorders and Charlie would record first zither on one recorder and then play second zither while recording both on the second recorder. Crude technology but they had fun with the process and it was a delight for the rest of us.
Charlie passed away in 1966 at age 66. We missed him.
Jerry Turnbaugh
June, 2013
| Index | Composer | Arranger | Title | Publisher | Notes |
| SM-0325 | Christoph Voigt | Christoph Voigt | In die weite Welt, Marsch | Christoph Voigt, Dreseden | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Herrn Zitherlehrer Max Götze in Radeberg freundlichst gewidmet |
| SM-0326 | Josef Hauser | Josef Hauser | Für d' Loni, Schuhplatt'l-Walzer | Josef Hauser, München | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Stamped: From Franz Schwarzer, Washington, Mo./ Voices: Zither I, Zither II, Guitar |
| SM-0327 | Henry Vries | Henry Vries | D' Almaleab'n, Fantasie im Ländlerstyl | Henry Vries, Köln | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Seinem lieben Freunde Peter Weyand gewidment |
| SM-0328 | C. G. Burda | C. G. Burda | Einzug des Königs Wein, Triumphmarsch | Mannheim, K. Ferd Heckel | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Der Schuch'schen Zither-Schule in Frankfurt a/M achtungsvoll gewidmet |
| SM-0329 | L. von der Mehden | Max Maier | Lindenau, Polka | Max Maier, San Francisco | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0330 | A. Pierce / Traditional | Max Maier | Happy Youth Galop / Comin' thro' the Rye | Max Maier, San Francisco | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0331 | Crough / Thompson | Max Maier | Kathleen Mavourneen / Clara Schottische | Max Maier, San Francisco | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0332 | Faust | Max Maier | Sharpshooter's March (Schützen Marsch) | Max Maier, San Francisco | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0333 | Volkslied | Paul Heinrich | Kde Domov Muj | A. W. Rost, Dresden | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0334 | Carl Sackur | Felix Lohr | Glöcken im Thale, Gavotte | Carl Sackur, Breslau | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0335 | Josef Hauser | Josef Hauser | Die Zithermeisterin, Concert-Polka | Josef Hauser, Erding | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Stamped: From Franz Schwarzer Zither Co., Washington, Mo. / Voices: Zither I, Zither II |
| SM-0336 | Franz v. Suppé / Th. Koschat | Max Albert / R. Hose | Two Airs from "Boccaccio" / Verlassen Bin I / Schnadahüpf'l | Nord-Amerikan Zither Journal, New York | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0337 | Alois Bauer | Alois Bauer | Herzblümchen, Polka | Eigenthum des Componisten | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0338 | Jos. Kellner | Jos. Kellner | Ungarischer Nationaltanz | J. Kellner's Selbstverlag, München | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0339 | L. Gruber | L. Gruber | Vor ihra Hütt'n | J. G. Seeling, Dresden | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0340 | Volkslied (Gedicht von Rückert | M. Abt | Aus der Jugendzeit | Domkowsky & Co., Hamburg | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0341 | Bernhard Siefert | Bernhard Siefert | Die Liebesboten | Carl Steiner, Berlin | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Herrn Hermann Stark in St. Louis freundschaftlichst gewidmet |
| SM-0342 | Ferdinand Kollmaneck | Ferdinand Kollmaneck | Glücksträume | Hans Ziegler, München | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0343 | Jos. Bill | Jos. Bill | O mei Waberl, Polka | Tölz, Echo vom Gebirge | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Stamped: Henry Wormsbacher, Music Publisher, 1988 East 59th Str., Cleveland, O. |
| SM-0344 | Josef Hauser | Josef Hauser | Frühlings-Einzug, Gavotte | Jos. Hauser, München | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0345 | F. X. Wallner | F. X. Wallner | Im Trauten Heim, Tyrolienne | Zentralblatt Deutscher Zithervereine | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0346 | Wiilh. Tafelmeyer | Wiilh. Tafelmeyer | Erinnerung an Eidelstedt, Ländlicher Tanz | Zentralblatt Deutscher Zithervereine | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Meinen Eidelstedter Freunden zum Andenken |
| SM-0347 | Stefan Köhler | Stefan Köhler | Rollerscher Stenographen Galopp | Zentralblatt Deutscher Zithervereine | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Herrn Albert Schulze in Freundschaft gewidmet |
| SM-0348 | Max Albert | Max Albert | Das Salzburger Glockenspiel | Berlin, M. Bahn | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Stamped: From Franz Schwarzer Zither Co., Washington, Mo. |
| SM-0349 | Paul Rudiger | Paul Rudiger | Glocken=Harfen=und Violoncellfantasie à la Burgstaller | A. Kabatek, Leipzig | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Seinem Freunde Herrn A. Maurer gewidmet |
| SM-0350 | Ed. Hoenes | Ed. Hoenes | 's Fensterl'n, Alpen-Idylle | Trier, bei P. Ed. Hoenes | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Voices: Zither I, Zither II |
| SM-0351 | Franz Degen | Franz Degen | Graf Zeppelin Gavotte | Franz Degen, Zürich | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Sr. Excellenz Graf F. v. Zeppelin hochachtungsvollst gewidmet / Voices: Zither I, Streichzither |
| SM-0352 | Johannes Pugh | Johannes Pugh | Ein Traumbild, Ländler über ein Motiv von Lumbye | Altona, bei dem Herausgeber | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Stamped: Herman C. Grohe, Washington, Mo. |
| SM-0353 | F. von Blon | Geo. Lechler | Buren Marsch | Theodor Lohr, New York | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0354 | Josef Gschwandner | Josef Gschwandner | Sounds from the Pacific Ocean, Waltzes | M. Gray, San Francisco | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0355 | L. Freytag | L. Freytag | Irrlichtlein | P. Ed. Hoenes in Trier | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Herrn Georg Fodermayer aus Verehrung und Dankbarkeit gewidmet |
| SM-0356 | Rudolf Förster | Alf. Fabian | Gukurru, Pola-Mazurka | C. Sackur, Breslau | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0357 | Leopold Gruber | Leopold Gruber | Holde Träumerin, Polka-Mazur. | Mannheim, K. Ferd Heckel | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0358 | Edwin Schiffel | Edwin Schiffel | Inspiration, Tonbild | Robert Söhnel, Dresden | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Herrn Zithervirtuos Paul Renk in Leipzig freundschaftlichst gewidmet |
| SM-0359 | Edwin Schiffel | Edwin Schiffel | Illusionen, Fantasiestück | Robert Söhnel, Dresden | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Herrn Henry Wormsbacher in Jersey-City N.A. freundschaftlichst gewidmet |
| SM-0360 | Max Albert | Max Albert | La Malinconia, Thema zur Fantasie über eine Romanze von Fabio Campana | A. Kabatek, Leipzig | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0361 | Max Albert | Max Albert | Drei Lieder (Bitte / An die Melancholie / Wohl waren es Tage der Sonne) | A. Kabatek, Leipzig | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Stamped: From Franz Schwarzer, Washington, Mo. |
| SM-0362 | Banks Winter | Paul Heinrich | Heimwärts, Amerikanischer Walzer | A. W. Rost, Dresden | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0363 | Theodor Kehl | Theodor Kehl | a , „Grüsse aus'm Bayerland“, Ländler | Christ. Ludw. Steffen, Stettin | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Herrn Alexander Deprosse in Liverpool freundschaftlichst dedicirt |
| SM-0364 | Franz Schubert / J. P. Webster | Franz von P. Ott | The Lady of the Lake, Ellen's First Song / Sweet By and By | A. M. J. Mueller, Philadelphia, PA | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Arranged for the Zither and dedicated to Hubert von Herkomer, Arranged for the Zither and dedicated to Miss Katie Haack, Minneapolis, Minn. / On cover: Compliments of Albert A. Hesse, Washington, Mo. - U.S.A |
| SM-0365 | J. Allfeld | J. Allfeld | Fürstenberg-Marsch | Bremen, A. E. Fischer | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Stamped: From Franz Schwarzer, Washington, Mo. / Dedication: Seiner Hochfürstlichen Durchlaucht dem Fürsten Carl Egon zu Fürstenberg in tiefster Ehrfurcht gewidmet / Voices: Zither I, Zither II |
| SM-0366 | Jos. Swoboda | Jos. Swoboda | Am Waldesrand | Robert Wächtler, Hamburg | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Voices: Zither, Piano |
| SM-0367 | C. F. Enslein | C. F. Enslein | Alpenveilchen, Polka-Mazur | Eigenthum des Componisten | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Ihrer Wohlgeboren der Frau Josefine Lenneis geb. Tschurtschenthaler hochachtungsvoll gewidmet |
| SM-0368 | W. O. Mickenschreiber | W. O. Mickenschreiber | „Scherzo“, Polatanz-Form | Georg Hentzschel, Dresden | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Herrn Wilh. Göbel, Essen, in Freundschaft zugeeignet |
| SM-0369 | Carl J. F. Umlauf | Carl J. F. Umlauf | Gemüths-Klänge, Ländler | Wein, bei dem Herausgeber | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0370 | Carl J. F. Umlauf | Carl J. F. Umlauf | Zwei Lieder ohne Worte (Allein, Thränen) | Wein, bei dem Herausgeber | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0371 | Bernhard Seifert | Bernhard Seifert | Im Fichtenhain, Tonstück | Moabiter Zither-Akademie, Berlin | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0372 | Johannes Pugh | Johannes Pugh | „Bunte Reihe", Potpourri | Altona, Hercules Hinz | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0373 | Chr. Ludw. Steffen | Chr. Ludw. Steffen | Herzens Frühling, Fantasie brillante | Christ. Ludw. Steffen, Stettin | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Fräulein Clara Steffen gewidmet |
| SM-0374 | Bernhard Seifert | Bernhard Seifert | Aus'm Isergebirg, Ländler | Georg Hentzschel, Dresden | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Seinem talentvollen Schüler, Herrn Heinz Schreiber Berlin gewidmet |
| SM-0375 | Ferd. Kollmaneck | Ferd. Kollmaneck | Waldeszauber, Walzer | Hans Ziegler, München | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0376 | Johannes Pugh | Johannes Pugh | Waldesrauschen, Reverie | A. Kabatek, Leipzig | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0377 | F. Möller | F. Möller | Lustfahrten, Walzer | Friedrich Ahrens, Hamburg-Altona | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Stamped: From Franz Schwarzer, Washington, Mo. |
| SM-0378 | Ferdinand Kollmaneck | Ferdinand Kollmaneck | Sonate in B Dur | Cgr. Voigt, Dresden | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Seiner Wohlgeboren Herrn Carl Sloup gewidmet |
| SM-0379 | J. Kellner | J. Kellner | Fischer Lust | J. Kellner's Selbst-Verlag, München | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0380 | Joseph Rixner | Joseph Rixner | „Auf steilen Felsen-Höhen“, Walzer | P. Ed. Hoenes in Trier | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0381 | Hans Thauer | Hans Thauer | Verlangen und Entsagen, Tönstück | Fr. Klare jr., Klein-Holthausen b/ Brünninghausen | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Voices: Zither I, Flöte, Streichzither I oder Violine I |
| SM-0382 | Franz Wagner | Franz Wagner | Zwei Lieder ohne Worte (Alpenrose, Am Grundlsee) | Franz Wagner, Wien | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0383 | John Philip Sousa | Jos. A. Koch | The Stars and Stripes Forever, March | The John Church Company, US | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0384 | Carl J. F. Umlauf | Carl J. F. Umlauf | Herzenstelegramm | Wein, bei dem Herausgeber | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0385 | Carl J. F. Umlauf | Carl J. F. Umlauf | Errinnerung An Ems, Conzertstück | Wein, bei dem Herausgeber | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| SM-0386 | Max Schulz | Max Schulz | Elisen-Gavotte | Regensburg, B. Fritz | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Wohlgeb. Frl. Elise Siehe freundlichst gewidmet |
| SM-0387 | Carl Fittig | Carl Fittig | G'sangln und Tanzen aus Tirol | Mannheim, K. Ferd Heckel | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Dedication: Miss Jessi Henderson freundlichst gewidmet |
| SM-0388 | Johannes Pugh | Johannes Pugh | Sonate | Hamburg, Hercules Hinz | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Herrn Max Albert in Berlin |
| SM-0389 | C. Olaf Sodahl | C. Olaf Sodahl | Khorassan Patrol (Oriental March) | C. O. G. Sodahl, East San Diego, California | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter / Stamped: From Franz Schwarzer, Washington, MO. / Voices: Piano or Zither, Violin or Mandolin |
| SM-0390 | Franz Macku | Fr. Gutmann | Herzliche Grüsse, Polka Francaise | Röder, Dessau | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
Charles Schroeter's collection also includes several music programs and other printed zither ephemera. These have been digitized and are provided in the following table.
| Index | Description | Notes |
| ZE-0001 | Music Program / Zither Quartett Zürich / Kongresshaus Zürich / Sonntag, den 23. Februar 1958, nacm. 16 Uhr | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| ZE-0002 | Schweizerischer Landessender Beromünster "Die Konzert - Zither" | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| ZE-0003 | Zitherverein Schaffhausen / Jubiläums-Konzert, Sonntag, den 7. November 1965, um 16 Uhr im "Kronenhof" Schaffhausen | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| ZE-0004 | Zitherquartett Zurich / Kongresshaus Zürich / Sonntag, 15. September 1957, 16 Uhr | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| ZE-0005 | Zitherquartett Zurich / Kongresshaus Zurich / Samstag 30. Mai 1958, 19 h 30 | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| ZE-0006 | Einladung zum Konzert des Zithertrio Basel / Samstag, den 15. Februar 1958, 20 Uhr | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| ZE-0007 | Mein Saitenspiel / Nummer 7, XI. Jahrgang, Bochum-Langendrer, Okt./Nov. 1958 | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| ZE-0008 | Zither Quartett Zürich / Kongresshaus Zürich / Sonntag, den 3. März 1957, nachmittags 16 Uhr | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
| ZE-0009 | Nachrichten des Musikverlages Karl Schneiders / Nr. 2 1956/1957 | Code: O / Donated in memory of Charles Schroeter |
Do you have vintage zither sheet music that you would like to share with the community? If so, email dave@zither.us, or use the provided contact form.