[1] The center is located in the Harding Band Building on the campus of the University of Illinois.

[2] The center opened in 1994 with the transfer from the University Bands of the Sousa and Clarke personal papers, and related materials.

In addition to the Sousa, Clarke and Harding material, there are papers and music by and about Harry Partch, Harry Begian, Salvatore Martirano, Pietro A. Cipollone, Elbern Alkire, Paul Martin Zonn, Kenneth Gaburo, Paul Bierley and Virginia Root.

[3] The Sousa collection also includes the Claude Gordon Personal Papers and Music Instrument Collection, 1888–1992, which consists of music and correspondence with Herbert L. Clarke and other notable trumpet artists, educational material, publicity and memorabilia, and performance contracts.

Claude Gordon, a long-time student of Herbert L. Clarke, was an internationally renowned trumpet soloist, band leader and teacher with many methods published worldwide in several languages.