Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Cunningham, Michael G. (Michael Gerald), 1937-2022
- Abstract:
- The Cunningham, Michael G. mss., 1906-2022, consists of the compositions, audio selections, and papers of Michael G. Cunningham, 1937-2022, American composer and professor of theory and composition.
- Extent:
- 64 Boxes
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Cunningham, Michael G. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Dr. Michael G. Cunningham began his career in music as an accompanist, music director, and instructor at Wayne State University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Music. He went on to earn a Master's in music composition at the University of Michigan and, after serving in the U.S. army from 1961-1967, received a Doctor of Musical Arts in music theory and composition at Indiana University. After teaching in Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, and California, he arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1973. Dr. Cunningham remained here as a Professor of theory and composition until his retirement in 2006.
One of Dr. Cunningham's true passions was composition, and after his retirement he shifted his attention to composing full-time. His catalog included works for symphony orchestra, piano, jazz ensembles, opera, choral and band, and many other various types. He also orchestrated and arranged music by earlier classical composers. He would later have a number of his works performed by European performers and orchestras including the Moravian Philharmonic, the Zagreb Festival Orchestra, Kiev Philharmonic, and the Prague Symphony to name a few.
In addition to his musical compositions, Dr. Cunningham also authored a number of books on musical subjects. These ranged from writings on music theory and composition, basic ear training, music history, and guides for listening to Classical music. Early editions and copies of these works are featured within the collection as well.
- Scope and Content:
The INSTRUMENTAL WORKS series consists of musical works written by Michael G. Cunningham for one or more instruments without voices.
The VOCAL WORKS consists of musical works written by Cunningham for one or more voices, often with additional instruments.
The STAGE PRODUCTIONS series consists of musical and non-musical theatrical works written by Cunningham.
The ARRANGEMENTS AND TRANSPOSITIONS series consists of works by other composers which have been arranged or transcribed by Cunningham.
The TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS series conists of written works created by Cunningham.
The AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS series consists of audio and video recordings from Cunningham's personal collection, the majority of which are audio recordings of performances of Cunningham's works.
The COMMERCIAL MATERIALS series consists of commercial works by composers other than Cunningham, many of which have annotations by Cunningham.
The PERSONAL EFFECTS series consists of Cunningham's non-musical personal belongings, such as correspondence, notes, and awards.
The UNKNOWN WORK FRAGMENTS series consists of musical fragments written by Cunningham which could not be identified.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift: April 2023
- Arrangement:
This collection is arranged into the following series: I. INSTRUMENTAL WORKS, II. VOCAL WORKS, III. STAGE PRODUCTIONS, IV. ARRANGEMENTS AND TRANSPOSITIONS, V.TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS, VI. AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS, VII. COMMERCIAL MATERIALS, VIII. PERSONAL EFFECTS, IX. UNKNOWN WORK FRAGMENTS
The arrangement of series I-V and their subseries are derived from the categories established in Michael G. Cunningham's 2014 works catalog [Archived Version], available through the Wisconsin Alliance for Composers.
- Physical location:
- ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)
- Physical facet:
- 32 record cartons, 30 oversize boxes, and 2 LP boxes containing books, sheet music, audio formats, and miscellaneous materials.
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Cunningham, Michael G. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@iu.edu