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Richard K. Winslow papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2019-005

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of materials created and accumulated by writer, composer, and teacher, Richard K. Winslow. The materials include scores, notes, recordings, and ephemera regarding Winslow's operas and operettas, as well as a large collection of general and miscellaneous compositions. In addition to the musical materials, the collection includes the notes, essays, and correspondence of Winslow throughout his career. The collection also includes a range of audio materials, including reel tapes, cassette tapes, and LPs of recordings of both Winslow's own compositions and the compositions and recordings of his colleagues and other poets and musicians. The records of his operas and operettas are comprised primarily of scores, both master scores and scores for individual instrument section parts. The notes and correspondence in the collection include communications between Winslow and John Cage, Norman O. Brown, and Merce Cunningham, among others. The collection spans a variety of Winslow's works and mediums, and includes the seminal and more niche works of Winslow throughout his career, in addition to works created by his mentors, inspirations (Shakespeare, Frost), students, and family.

Dates

  • Creation: 1938-2009

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by Wesleyan University - In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted

Biographical / Historical

Richard K. Winslow (b. March 15, 1918, d. July 24, 2017) was an American writer, composer, scholar, conductor, and teacher. He was born in Indianapolis, IN and was raised in Albany, NY and attended the Albany Academy. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University in 1940, and in 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving three years. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, he enrolled at The Juilliard School, earning an MA in music composition. In 1942 he married Elisabeth Gittins, with whom he had five children. In 1949, he returned to Wesleyan to teach music and remained on the faculty for 34 years until his retirement in 1983. A prolific composer, his body of work includes operas such as Gertrude Stein's Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights, T.S. Eliot's Sweeney Agonistes, and Samuel Beckett's Endgame. He also composed the musicals Alice and Her Father The King, along with numerous choral works and songs.

Extent

15.5 Linear Feet (23 hollinger boxes, 2 flat hollinger boxes, 4 cassette tape boxes, and 1 LP box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection is comprised of materials created and accumulated by writer, composer, and teacher Richard K. Winslow. The materials include scores, notes, recordings, and ephemera regarding Winslow's operas and operettas, as well as a large collection of general and miscellaneous compositions. In addition to the musical materials, the collection includes the notes, essays, and correspondence of Winslow throughout his career.

Arrangement

The collection was donated to the University by the granddaughter of Richard K. Winslow, [daughters name]. Upon receipt of the collection, an initial inventory of the full scope of items was taken. Subsequently, the collection was organized into five series: Operas (Series I), Operettas (Series II), Songs and Scores (Series III), Notes, essays, correpsondence, and ephemera (Series IV), and AV Materials (Series V). Series I was organized into six subseries, one for each of Winslow's main operas. Series II was organized into two subseries, one for each main operetta. Series III was organized into two subseries, one for general songs and scores, and one for songs and scores specifically related to Wesleyan University and its commencement activities. Series IV was kept as a standalone series. Series V was organized into three subseries, based on the medium of each specific AV recording.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of E. Tracey Grinnell, Winslow's granddaughter, 2019.

Title
Richard K. Winslow papers, 1938-2009
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Riley Cameron, 21 August 2019. Encoded by Riley Cameron, 21 August 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives Repository

Contact:
Olin Library
252 Church Street
Middletown CT 06459 USA
860-685-3864