Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- Manuscript and printed scores, photographs, biographical material, and recordings by Black composers active from 1950 to present.
- Extent:
- 5 document cases (4 linear feet)
- Language:
- Materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
Undine Smith Moore Collection of Original Music and Manuscripts by Black Composers, SC 1, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
This collection was originally established at the Indiana University Archives of African American Music and Culture (AAAMC) in the 1990s by composer William C. Banfield as the Undine Smith Moore Collection of Original Music and Manuscripts by Black Composers (USMC). As curator of the collection, Banfield's intent was to honor Moore's legacy as a composer by establishing a collection in her name and soliciting donations from other living composers, including scores as well as photographs, recordings, and biographical materials. The collection was officially launched in March 1996 with an exhibit in the Fine Arts Library lobby and Extensions of the Tradition concert featuring the works of Regina Harris Baiocchi, Lettie Beckon Alston, Gary Powell Nash, William C. Banfield, and Michael Woods. Undine Smith Moore was a guest at the opening reception and concert, but otherwise did not have a direct role in this project.
- Scope and Content:
Initial deposits to the collection comprised scores (both manuscript and published) along with biographical materials, clippings, and photographs. After Banfield left Indiana University in 1997, some of the composers continued to donate materials to the AAAMC.
For most of the composers, the materials held in this collection represent a small selection of their work. In these instances, their materials in this collection are listed in this finding aid.
However, other composers continued to donate many more items until the quantity of their materials at the AAAMC had grown significantly. In these instances, separate finding aids have been created for their collection and scores that were originally donated to USMC have been indicated.
In line with this preservation project's primary objective, the AAAMC also continued to add materials from Black composers not solicited by Banfield for the USMC. Scores and media that were part of the original deposits into the Undine Smith Moore Collection of Original Music and Manuscripts by Black Composers include notes in their respective entries in the finding aid.
- Acquisition information:
- The collection was initially assembled by founding curator, William C. Banfield, in conjunction with AAAMC staff. Additional materials were donated throughout the 1990s and 2000s by some of the composers included in the collection, as well as by the African American Arts Institute in its partnership with the AAAMC through the Extensions of the Tradition concert series.
- Custodial history:
Many of the manuscript scores in this collection were donated by individual composers between 1994 and 1997 during the establishment of the Undine Smith Moore Collection of Original Scores and Manuscripts of Black Composers by curator, William C. Banfield. Additional items were donated from 1997-2022 and added to the collection by AAAMC staff.
- Processing information:
Processed by AAAMC staff. Completed in 2023.
- Arrangement:
This bulk of the collection is arranged into series based on composer. The first series brings together documentation about the establishment of the USMC with administrative materials. After this first series, each subsequent series includes materials related to a composer. These series are ordered alphabetically.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed Terms
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Use of time-based media materials (audio and video) may require production of listening or viewing copies.
Access to streaming audio, moving image, and full resolution digital image materials may currently be restricted to researchers who can authenticate with an IU account or who are physically present on campus. Remote streaming to individual researchers may be allowed with the completion of applicable forms.
For further information about access to online audiovisual materials, contact AAAMC staff at aaamc@indiana.edu.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Indiana Public Records Act (5-14-3-2 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Indiana University assumes no responsibility.
Copyright is retained by the creators/authors of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. All requests for copying and publishing materials must be submitted in writing to the Archives of African American Music and Culture, and may require the written permission of the creator(s)/author(s) or donor(s).
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Undine Smith Moore Collection of Original Music and Manuscripts by Black Composers, SC 1, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
Smith Research Center, Rooms 180-1812805 East 10th StreetBloomington, Indiana 47408-2601, United States
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
812-855-8547aaamc@indiana.edu