Archive of Virginia Composers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Old Dominion University
3023 Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library
Old Dominion University
4427 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jessica Ritchie
Phone: (757) 683-4483
Fax: (757) 683-5954
Restrictions:

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Archive of Virginia Composers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
21 Linear Feet and 8 Hollinger document cases, 31 flat cases, 1 LP case boxes
Creator:
Strong, Fred (1952-) and Hays, Audrey
Abstract:
Includes biographical information, taped interviews, audio recordings on vinyl discs, open reel and cassette tapes, copies of published works, original and photocopies of manuscripts (including sheet music), as well as other material related to the Archive of Virginia Composers.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Archive of Virginia Composers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The Archive of Virginia Composers is a collection of scores and recordings of musical works by Virginia composers collected by the Norfolk Public Library between 1975 and 1979. The purpose of the archive was to bring these materials together into a single repository where they could be promoted and preserved. Thirty-four composers are represented; materials include biographical information, taped interviews, audio recordings on vinyl discs, open reel and cassette tapes, copies of published works, original and photocopies of manuscripts (including sheet music), photographs, programs, newspapers, and magazine articles. Additionally, the collection includes extensive correspondence relating to the history and development of the archive. The music itself consists of chamber works, major works for large ensembles, and sacred works (typically single-movement pieces intended for a church choir). Of these, the majority are representative of conventional styles, with some dating back to the 1930s. Other works represent exploratory compositional techniques of the 1970s.

Biographical / historical:

The Archive of Virginia Composers was the idea of former Old Dominion University music major Fred Strong. He had been recording interviews with local composers to air on the radio and decided to donate these recordings to the Norfolk Public Library, where he met Audrey Hays, head of the Feldman Fine Arts and Audio-Visual Department. Between the two of them, the idea of creating an archive of Virginia composers developed, and in 1976, funds were secured and the project proceeded. According to an official statement, "The Archive of Virginia Composers was begun by a matching grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and Humanities and the Norfolk Public Library System for the purpose of accumulating biographical, historical, and musical information on all serious Virginia composers (living and deceased), so that we may act as a reference source to the public at large. By doing this, we hope to spur an abundance of interest toward their music which could result in more performances, commissions, etc., thereby making their livelihood more rewarding, and their value more substantial."

Acquisition information:

Gift from the Norfolk Public Library, Sargeant Memorial Collection.

Acc. 2016.024 was received by Special Collections and University Archives from Sarah Osorio on behalf of the Norfolk Public Library on 10/18/2016.

Processing information:

The collection was processed by Madeline Dietrich, Music Special Collections and Research Specialist, from February 2021 through April 2022.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into five series. Series I: Organizational Records; Series II: Composers Inventory and Ephemera; Series III: Scores; Series IV: Oversize Scores; and Series IV: Audio. Materials within each series are arranged alphabetically by subject, composer name, or title.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard