Sophocles Papas papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669

Summary

Extent:
23 linear feet (43 boxes)
Creator:
Sophocles Papas, 1893-1986
Abstract:
This collection contains personal papers of Sophocles Papas including music scores, manuscript scores, phonograph records, correspondence, music journals, photographs, and guitar music manuals.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains personal papers of Sophocles Papas including music scores, manuscript scores, phonograph records, correspondence, music journals, photographs, and guitar music manuals.

Biographical / historical:

Sophocles Papas was an internationally known teacher of classical guitar. A Fairfax County resident later in his life, Papas taught the classical guitar in Washington, D.C. for nearly sixty years. He also taught at American University in Washington, D.C. Among his former students who have risen to fame are Charlie Byrd and Carlos Barbosa-Lima.

Papas was a prominent figure in the Washington music scene for much of his life. He performed live on radio regularly on WCAP and was a close friend to music legends, Andres Segovia and Carlos Montoya. Papas organized and conducted Washington's first guitar/mandolin/banjo orchestra, and founded the Washington Guitar Society. A prolific writer and publisher, Papas produced articles for scholarly music journals; wrote a column for the music magazine Crescendo; and founded Columbia Music Company, a publisher of sheet music and instructional methods for the guitar. Most notable among his publications is Method for the Classic Guitar. In 1998 Columbia Music Company also published a biography of Papas, Sophocles Papas: the Guitar, His Life, written by his daughter, Elisabeth Papas Smith.

Acquisition information:
Collection donated by Elisabeth Papas Smith and David Papas 1987-1999. Additional materials donated in 2010 by Elisabeth Papas Smith.
Arrangement:

The collection is organized by subject and divided into two series. Series 1 contains the materials acquired in 1987, and Series 2 contains materials acquired in 1999. Since each series was processed separately, the box numbers for the collection repeat. Series 3 consists of scrapbook pages of guitarists and guitars collected by Elisabeth Papas Smith.