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[identification of item], [box #, folder #], James Rex Riley Papers, SC 0181, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
These materials, most of which had been in Dr. Riley's office at the time of his death, were donated to the Music Department by his widow, Susan Riley.
In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in 2017-2018.
James Rex Riley was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1938. He graduated from Centenary College, then studied composition with Samuel Adler and Hunter Johnson at North Texas State University and the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his doctorate. He taught at the University of Texas, Mississippi State University and Wichita State University, and came to James Madison University in September 1981. He won a number of prizes, including three ASCAP awards, and received commissions from such organizations as the San Antonio Chamber Music Society as well as James Madison University. He died March 29, 1987, after several years of struggling against a brain tumor.
This collection contains five boxes. The bulk of the collection consists of manuscripts of Dr. Riley's compositions and recordings of performances of his works.
Notes by Dr. Riley & various scores.
Conversation piece for trumpet, Tenuto, 1983. Dialogue for trumpet and percussion, Elkan-Vogel, 1974. Three acts for five trombones, Brass Press, 1973. Stick games, Southern Music, 1980. Visiones, Southern Music, 1976.
Includes a resume, copy of the funeral program, and clippings.
Most are originals; a few are photocopies in files. Titles are: Celebration for band Sun-song; Concert music for winds & percussion; Superstar (folder); Masquerade (folder); Three songs for the day; Spheres (folder); String of pearls (folder); Tropical latitudes (folder); Valley ayres (3 copies)
Most are originals; a few are photocopies in files. Titles are: Dedicatory hymn and fuguing tune Preludes & fugues (folder); Devil's dirge Sassy Sam (folder); Four scenes for orchestra (3 cop.); Second string quartet; Gemini (folder); Third string quartet (3 cop.); Pastime (2 copies)
18 5 inch reel to reel tapes of performances of Dr. Riley's compositions: Concert music for winds and percussion, WSU Wind Ensemble, 1975; Concert music for winds and percussion, Cincinnati Conservatory Wind Ensemble, 1977; Conversation piece, solo - Charles Bergine, 1979, 3 copies; Dedicatory hymn and fuguing tune, 1978, 2 copies; Dialogue, WSU, 1972; Four scenes for orchestra, WSU, 1973, 2 copies; Pastime. San Antonio Symphony Woodwind Quintet, 2 copies; Pirouettes, 1 copy 1982, 1 copy 1983; Second string quartet, WSU, 1974; Stick games, ISU Percussion Ensemble; Third string quartet, Concord Quartet, 1977; Textures, 1971.
20 cassette tapes, of which some are Dr. Riley's work, others are by various composers, and some are commercial orchestras for classroom use; and Dr. Riley's card file of items in his files.