]> "musfinne.sgm" Guide to the Ross Lee Finney Papers, 1916 - 1996 Processed by Matthew Snyder; Machine-readable finding aid created by Matthew Snyder.

©2004 The New York Public Library. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. All rights reserved.

 Machine readable finding aid created December 2004. Description is in English JPB 04-15Guide to the Ross Lee Finney Papers, 1916 - 1996 Music Division The New York Public Library for the Performing ArtsNew York, New York Matthew Snyder December 2004

Processed and encoded through a gift from Robert W. Wilson.

©2004 The New York Public Library. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations. All rights reserved.

 Descriptive Summary Ross Lee Finney Papers, 1916 - 1996 Finney, Ross Lee JPB 04-1525 linear feet; 34 boxes The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Music Division
New York, New York
The American composer Ross Lee Finney enjoyed a long, prolific and illustrious career. His papers document his life and career and consist of correspondence, professional writings and lectures, press clippings, concert programs, photographs, and published and unpublished music scores and manuscripts. Administrative Information Source

Bulk donated by Ross Lee Finney in 1982 and 1986. Additional material donated by Henry C. Finney in 2002.

 Access

Collection is open to the public.

 Restrictions on Use

For permission to publish, contact the Chief, Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

 Preferred Citation

The Ross Lee Finney Papers, JPB 04-15. Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

 Biography

Ross Lee Finney (b Wells, MN, 23 Dec. 1906; d Carmel, CA, 4 Feb. 1997) was the son of intellectual parents; his father was a professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota. He began playing and composing music as a child, learning cello, piano and guitar. Finney retained an interest in the guitar and folk music throughout his life and folk song and melody were important elements in his music.

His first rigorous music courses were at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he studied with Donald Ferguson. He received a B.A. from Carleton College in 1927, after which he traveled to Paris to study composition with Nadia Boulanger. Finneys other teachers were Edward Burlingame Hill (1928-29), Alban Berg (1931-32) and Roger Sessions (1935), with whom he enjoyed a long friendship.

Finney joined the faculty of Smith College in Massachusetts in 1929. He was awarded Guggenheim and Pulitzer fellowships in 1937, and from 1943 to 1945 he served in the Office of Strategic Services in France, where he sustained combat injuries and received a Purple Heart. He won a second Guggenheim Fellowship in 1947.

In 1949 he was appointed professor of music and composer-in-residence at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he remained until his 1972 retirement. There, Finney attracted many students who went on to become important composers, including George Crumb, Roger Reynolds and William Albright. Finney continued composing through the mid-1980s.

Finneys music was tonal and melodic while sometimes employing serial technique, particularly after 1950; he lectured and wrote about the evolution of his style and his continuing interest in tonal resources. He was also interested in setting poetry to music. In the course of his career he composed for many musical settings, including soloists, chamber groups, choirs, wind ensembles, orchestras, opera and dance. His output was prolific and his music was performed often in his lifetime, both at the University of Michigan and by major orchestras and chamber groups around the country. He frequently served as a guest artist and lecturer at universities and symposia and wrote about composition and music education for both children and advanced students.

Sources:

Albright, William. Finney, Ross Lee, Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed 30 Nov. 2004), <http://www.grovemusic.com>

Borroff, Edith. Finney, Ross Lee, Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed 30 Nov. 2004), <http://www.grovemusic.com>

 Scope and Content Note

The Ross Lee Finney Papers consist of 25 linear feet of material dating from 1916 to 1996. They document the composers life and career from several perspectives. The personal and professional correspondence between Finney and his colleagues, students and friends provides first-hand evidence of many of the projects and events in his life. The writings present a more formal look at Finneys own thoughts on his compositions, teaching and music in general. The press clippings and concert programs are a detailed, year-by-year record of the public performances of Finneys music and the publicity it attracted. The scores, many never published, date from throughout Finneys life and provide views of his work-in-progress, and also shed light on his development as a young composer. Photographs, degrees, certificates and awards complement other elements of the collection.

Organization

The Ross Lee Finney Papers are organized in the following series and sub-series:

Series I: Correspondence, 1916 1996 and undatedSub-Series 1: Personal, 1916 1996 and undatedSub-Series 2: Professional, 1928 1995 and undatedSeries II: Writings, 1950 1984 and undatedSub-Series 1: Lectures, 1950 1982 and undatedSub-Series 2: Articles and Other Writings, 1958 1984 and undatedSeries III: Press Clippings and Concert Programs, 1926 1993 and undatedSub-Series 1: Press Clippings, 1930 1993 and undatedSub-Series 2: Concert Programs, 1926 1992 and undatedSeries IV: Degrees, Certificates and Awards, 1948 1980 and undatedSeries V: Photographs, ca. 1920 1987 and undatedSeries VI: Scores 1922 1985 and undatedSub-Series 1: Early Works, 1922 1933 and undatedSub-Series 2: Mature Works, 1934 1985 and undatedSub-Series 3: Exercises and Analyses, 1919 1968 and undatedSeries VII: Oversized Materials, 1933 1984 and undatedSub-Series 1: Scores, Exercises and Analyses, 1933 1984 and undatedSub-Series 2: Other Materials, 1944 1977

Related Materials Note The Ross Lee Finney Collection, *L(Special) 98-16, Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound. Other Finney papers are held at the University of Michigan School of Music, Ann Arbor, and at the Library of Congress.

Series Descriptions/Container ListSeries I: Correspondence, 1916 - 1996 and undated 9 boxes

The correspondence is divided into two sub-series, Personal and Professional. The first contains correspondence between Finney and his family or close personal friends. The second contains correspondence between Finney and other composers, colleagues, publishers, music presenters, students, musicians and conductors, and deals with various aspects of his professional composing or teaching life. Before examining this series, the researcher should read the transcript of a tape Finney made in 1982 describing the letters he was donating to the library; it also serves as a short memoir. It is located in New York Public Library correspondence, Box 8, Folder 5. Although some letters from Finney are gathered in sub-levels of their own, many more are located throughout the series if they were part of an ongoing set of correspondence between him and another party. Oversized correspondence is in Series VII, Sub-series 2, Oversized Materials.

Sub-series 1: Personal, 1916 1996 and undatedSub-series 2: Professional, 1928 1995 and undatedSub - Series 1: Personal, 1916 - 1996 and undated 3.5 boxes, 79 folders

Alphabetical

This sub-series contains correspondence, usually spanning many years, from close friends and colleagues of Finney and his wife Gretchen, and from Finney himself. The best-represented correspondents are Edith Borroff, Leslie and Anita Bassett, Wallace and Maxine Berry, Fred Goossenn and Eugene Kurtz. Other important correspondents with at least 5 letters in the collection include Nadia Boulanger, Aaron Copland, Luigi Dallapiccola, Roger Reynolds, Roger Sessions and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Correspondence from Finney is mainly to his family, including a set of letters written from France during his World War II service. In addition, Finney kept a separate file of 75th birthday letters from his friends and colleagues. By law, the file of medical correspondence is sealed from public view.

 1 1Bassett, Leslie and Anita, 1983 - 1989 and undated

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3, and Series I, sub - series 2, retirement letters, Box 6, Folder 19.

Berry, Wallace and Maxine, 1964 - 1991 and undated

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3, and Series I, sub - series 2, retirement letters, Box 6, Folder 19.

1 21964 - 1977 1 31978 - 1985 1 41986 - 1991 1 5undated Borroff, Edith, 1969 - 1993 1 61969 - 1982 1 71987 - 1989 1 81990 Jan. 4 - 1990 June 4 1 91990 June 11 - 1990 Dec. 20 1 101991 Jan. 20 - 1991 Aug. 11 1 111991 Aug. 19 - 1991 Nov. 4 1 121991 Nov. 11 - 1993 Feb. 23 1 131991 Apr. 10 - 1993 Aug. 4 1 14Boulanger, Nadia, 1927 - 1975 and undated

See also Series I, sub - series 2, retirement letters, Box 6, Folder 19.

1 15Brockman, Jane, 1982 - 1993 and undated

See also Series I, sub - series 2, Letters of Recommendation, Box 4, Folder 22.

Cooper, Paul, 1965 - 1990 and undated

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3.

1 161965 - 1976 1 171977 - 1990 and undated 1 18Copland, Aaron, 1930 - 1982 and undated 1 19Curtis Smith, Curtis, 1977 - 1988 and undated 1 20A - C, 1932 - 1992

Includes two letters from Elliott Carter. See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3.

2 1Dallapicolla, Luigi, 1956 - 1968

Letters in French.

2 2Dollarhide, Ted, 1981 - 1987

See also Series I, sub - series 2, Letters of Recommendation, Box 4, Folder 22.

2 3Doppman, William and Willa, 1983 - 1996 and undated 2 4Finney, Nathaniel and Flora, 1964 - 1968 and undated

Includes documentation of 1968 Gridiron Club Annual Dinner.

Finney, Ross Lee, 1916 - 1976 and undated

Letters from Finney are also in the files of other correspondents.

2 5Chudacoff, Edward, 1956

These letters document Finney's Spring 1956 visit to Europe.

Dayton, Daryl 2 61955 - 1960 2 71961 - 1962 2 81963 - 1976 and undated 2 9General, 1916 Family letters, 1944 - 1957Finney, Ross and Alice

To Finney's son and daughter - in - law. Some of these letters are from Gretchen Ludke Finney.

2 101956 Sept. 6 - 1956 Oct. 25 2 111956 Nov. 6 - 1956 Dec. 31 2 121957 Jan. 2 - 1957 Feb. 15 2 131957 Feb. 26 - 1957 Mar. 27 2 141957 Apr. 1 - 1957 May 31 2 151957 June 8 - 1957 Aug. 31 and undated World War II letters

See also Series VII, sub - series 2, Oversized Material, Box 34, Folder 3.

2 161944 July 2 171944 Aug. 8 - 1944 Aug. 17 2 181944 Aug. 18 - 1944 Aug. 30 2 191944 Sept. 2 - 1944 Sept. 15 2 201944 Sept. 17 - 1944 Sept. 30 2 211944 Oct. 2 - 1944 Oct. 11 2 221944 Oct. 12 - 1944 Nov. 9 2 231944 Nov. 10 - 1944 Nov. 26 2 241944 Dec. 1 - 1944 Dec. 13 2 251944 Dec. 14 - 1945 Jan. 12 2 261945 Jan. 14 - 1945 Jan. 30 2 271945 Feb. 1 - 1945 Feb. 25 2 281945 Feb. 26 - 1945 Mar. 17 3 11945 Mar. 18 - 1945 Apr. 13 3 21945 Apr. 15 - 1945 Apr. 29 3 31945 May 1 - 1945 June 13 and undated 3 4Fisher, Stephen, 1972 - 1991 and undated

See also correspondence in Sub - series 2, Box 8, Folders 17 - 21.

3 5D - F, 1928 - 1985

Includes letter from the composer Herbert Elwell.

3 6Gerhard, Roberto, 1958 - 1969 and undated 3 7Gideon, Miriam, 1986 - 1987 Goossenn, Fred 3 81988 - 1990 3 91991 3 101992 - 1993 3 11Gottschalk, Art, 1982 - 1992 and undated

See also sub - series 2, Letters of Recommendation, Box 4, Folder 22.

3 12Hutcheson, Jere, 1979 - 1980 Kurtz, Eugene

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3.

3 131958 - 1970 3 141971 - 1992 3 15Lavender, Richard, 1982 - 1991 and undated

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3.

3 16Lennon, John Anthony, 1981 - 1993

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3.

3 17G - L, 1933 - 1987 and undated 3 18Maves, David, 1984 - 1988 and undated

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 4, and sub - series 2, Letters of Recommendation, Box 4, Folder 22.

3 19Neil, William, 1982 - 1990

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 4, and sub - series 2, Letters of Recommendation, Box 4, Folder 22.

3 20Plain, Gerald, 1984 - 1992 and undated

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 4.

3 21Reynolds, Roger, 1974 - 1993 and undated

See also 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 4, and sub - series 2, Letters of Recommendation, Box 4, Folder 22.

3 22Sessions, Roger, 1934 - 1971 and undated 3 23Stanton, Geoffrey, 1984 - 1990 and undated

See also sub - series 2, Letters of Recommendation, Box 4, Folder 22

3 24Vaughan Williams, Ralph and Ursula, 1955 - 1958 and undated 3 25M - Ro, 1961 - 1992 and undated

Includes letters from Ana Malapiero, Marjorie Nicholson and Ned Rorem, and hate mail about Finney's Symphonie Concertante.

3 26Ru - Z, 1930 - 1989 and undated

Includes copy of letter to Finney's father from H.G. Wells. See also correspondence with New York Public Library, Series I, sub - series 2, Box 8, Folder 5, regarding this letter.

4Unidentified 4 11956 - 1986 4 21987 - 1993 and undated 75th birthday letters

See also Series III, sub-series 1, Press Clippings, Box 13, Folder 1.

4 3A - L, 1981 Oct. - 1982 Jan.

Includes letter from George Crumb.

4 4M - Z, 1981 Oct. - 1982 Apr.

Includes letter from Vincent Persichetti.

4 5Medical correspondence (SEALED) Sub - series 2: Professional, 1928 - 1995 and undated 5.5 boxes, 130 folders

Alphabetical

This sub-series has two categories, Individuals and Organizations. Important individuals represented include Theodore Antoniou, Milton Babbitt, William Bolcom and Joan Morris, John Cage, Henry Cowell, Erick Hawkins, H. Wiley Hitchcock, John Kirkpatrick, Billy Jim Layton, Nikolai Lopatnikoff, Archibald MacLeish, Yehudi Menuhin, Marjorie Nicholson, Walter Piston and Virgil Thomson. Correspondence from Finney includes letters of recommendation he wrote and several versions of his resume. In addition, there are two special topics within the first sub-level: letters written to Finney upon his retirement from the University of Michigan, and correspondence from students. Important organizations represented in the second sub-level include orchestras, universities and presenting organizations. Special topics within this sub-level are publishing, grant funding correspondence, correspondence with libraries and archives, and correspondence about particular trips and events in Finneys professional life. Publishing correspondence includes letters and financial statements from Finneys publisher, C.F. Peters, and correspondence with Finneys copyist, Valentino Callegarin, which may shed light on the process of editing Finneys music.

Individuals, 1928 - 1992 and undated 4 6Antoniou, Theodore, 1965 - 1984 4 7Apple, Linda K., 1982 - 1983

The author wrote a dissertation on Finney's piano music.

4 8Babbitt, Milton, 1958 - 1959 and undated 4 9Beeson, Jack, 1963 - 1972 and undated 4 10Bolcom, William and Joan Morris, 1971 - 1991

See also retirement letters, Box 6, Folder 19, and sub - series 1, 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3.

4 11A - B, 1959 - 1986

Includes correspondence with Neil Butterworth about Finney's entry in the Dictionary of American Composers .

4 12Cage, John, 1962 - 1965 and undated 4 13Campanelli, Richard, 1983 - 1990 and undated

See also Letters of Recommendation, Box 4, Folder 22.

4 14Cogan, Robert, 1969 - 1990 4 15Cowell, Henry, 1933 - 1934 4 16Davidovsky, Mario, 1963 - 1965 4 17Ellis, Stephen, 1988 - 1989

Ellis, a record collector, corresponded with Finney about recordings of Finney's work.

4 18Escot, Pozzi, 1974 - 1975 4 19C - E, 1943 - 1989 and undated

Includes correspondence from Ralph Ellison, President and Mrs. Carter, and Cyril Clemens, descendant of Mark Twain, declaring Finney a "Knight of Mark Twain."

4 20Fetter, David, 1973 - 1974

Contains discussion of the composition of Tubes I for Five Trombones. See also Series VI, sub - series 2, Scores, Box 28, Folder 5.

Finney, Ross Lee, 1943 - 1989 and undated

Letters from Finney can also be found in the files of other correspondents.

4 21Wilkinson, Paul, 1953 - 1955 4 22Letters of Recommendation, 1981 - 1989 and undated 4 23Resumes, ca. 1970 - ca. 1981 and undated

Contains listings of Finney's works, performances and activities, including one dividing his career into eight distinct stages (ca. 1970).

4 24General, 1943 - 1989 and undated

Contains letter from Finney to the James Joyce Quarterly regarding Finney's settings of Joyce's poems (in Series VI, sub - series 2, Box 23, Folder 8). See also letter from John Hannay in Box 5, Folder 10. Also contains letter from Finney to Erno Valasek at the University of Texas commenting on Valasek's performance of Finney's Fantasy In Two Movements.

4 25Forte, Aldo Rafael, 1983 - 1985 4 26Gaber, George, 1972 - 1973

Contains discussion of Finney's percussion pieceThree Studies in Fours.

4 27F - G, 1928 - 1988 and undated

Contains 1928 letter of recommendation for Finney from his teacher, Donald Ferguson.

5 1Harris, Roy, 1943 - 1952

Contains discussion of Pittsburgh International Contemporary Music Festival.

Hawkins, Erick

See also Series III concert programs and press clippings, Box 13, Folder 4 and Box 17, Folders 1 - 4. See also Series V photographs, Box 19, Folder 1.

52Ahab, 1976 - 1985

Contains Hawkins's outline and discussion of dance piece with proposal for music by Finney. See also Series VI, sub - series 2, scores, Box 23, Folder 1.

5 3The Joshua Tree, 1982

Contains Hawkins's outline and discussion of dance piece with proposal for music by Finney. See also Series VI, sub - series 2 scores, Box 24, Folder 15.

5 4General, 1981 - 1986 and undated 5 5Hirada, Higo, 1961 - 1980 5 6Hitchcock, H. Wiley, 1982 - 1991

See also sub - series 1, 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3.

5 7Huggler, John, 1962 - 1965

Letters discuss music copying jobs for Finney.

5 8Hunter, Laura, 1983 - 1984 and undated

See also Series VII, Oversized Materials, sub - series 2, score for Concerto for Alto Saxophone, Box 33, Folder 1; and parts in Series VI, sub - series 2, Box 23, Folder 11.

5 9Husa, Karel, 1971 - 1972

Discussion of performance of Landscapes Remembered.

5 10H, 1929 - 1992 and undated

Contains letter from John Hannay with article from James Joyce Quarterly about setting Joyce's poems to music. See also letter from Finney to JJQ, Box 4, Folder 24.

5 11Imbrie, Andrew, 1955 - 1969 5 12Jarnach, Philipp, 1962 - 1966 5 13Kechley, David, 1983 - 1989 and undated 5 14Keller, Homer, 1951 - 1982 5 15Kirkpatrick, John, 1962 - 1985 5 16Kolar, J. Mitzi, 1983 - 1984

Contains discussion of the recording of Youth's Companion.

5 17Kolb, Barbara, 1975 - 1982 and undated 5 18Layton, Billy Jim, 1957 - 1970 5 19Lewis, Robert Hall, 1966 - 1979 5 20Lombard, Jeanette, 1988 - 1990

Discussion of premier performance of Chamber Music, sung by Lombard.

5 21London, Edwin, 1968 - 1990 and undated

See also Finney Letters of Recommendation, Box 4, Folder 22.

5 22Lopatnikoff, Nikolai, 1962 - 1969 5 23I - Lee, 1931 - 1982

Includes invitation to The White House from Ladybird Johnson, and letters from Anton Kuerti.

5 24Lei - Lou, 1954 - 1982 6 1MacLeish, Archibald, 1940 - 1964 and undated

See also Series VI, sub - series 2, scores, Box 23, Folder 6 and Box 24, Folder 14.

6 2Menuhin, Yehudi, 1957 - 1968 and undated 6 3Neaman, Yfrah, 1958 - 1966 6 4Nicholson, Marjorie, 1950 and undated 6 5M - O, 1937 - 1988

Includes correspondence from Dennis McIntire regarding Finney's entry in Nicolas Slonimsky's Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians.

6 6Palmer, Robert M., 1949 - 1962 6 7Piston, Walter, 1936 - 1949 and undated 6 8Pa - Peacock, 1965 - 1986

Letters from Larry Palmer discuss Finney's Hexachord for Harpsichord.

6 9Pearson - Pri, 1950 - 1992 and undated

Includes letter from Edward Pearson with manuscript of his biographical essay on soprano Mabel Garrison, and letters from Vincent Persichetti and Quincy Porter.

6 10Rarig, Howard, 1959

Discussion of Finney's Edge of Shadow. See also Series II, sub - series 1, lectures,, Box 11, Folder 2, and sub - series 2 articles, Box 11, Folder 28.

6 11Q - R, 1959 - 1971 and undated

Includes greetings from President and Mrs. Reagan, and from Michigan governor George Romney.

6 12Schuman, William, 1954 - 1977

Contains discussion of commission of work by Finney for the Juilliard School's 50th anniversary.

6 13Sa - Sta, 1931 - 1988

Includes letters from Arthur Shepherd critiquing Finney's work.

6 14Ste - Su, 1930 - 1980

Includes correspondence with Halsey Stevens, and letters from Albert Stoessel and William Grant Still.

6 15Thomson, Virgil, 1952 - 1964 and undated 6 16Woodward, Ann, 1982 - 1983

Contains discussion of recordings of Finney's viola sonatas and his displeasure with one of them.

6 17T - Z, 1933 - 1990

Includes memo from John Vander Weg concerning publication and funding for Weep Torn Land.

6 18Unidentified, 1960 - 1987 and undated Retirement letters, 1972 - 1974 6 19A - D, 1972 Oct. - 1972 Nov. 6 20E - M, 1972 Oct. - 1972 Nov.

Includes 1972 letter from Laurie B. Efrein discussing the Reverend Jim Jones.

6 21N - Z and unidentified, 1972 - 1974 6 22Student correspondence, 1970 - 1990 7Organizations, 1931 - 1995 and undated 7 1American Academy in Rome, 1937 - 1961 7 2American Composers Orchestra, 1982 and undated 7 3American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, 1962 - 1990 7 4A, 1955 - 1983 7 5Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, 1972 - 1983

Includes correspondence with Sergiu Comissiona regarding the premiere of Finney's Symphony No. 4.

7 6Ba - Bo, 1937 - 1984

Includes correspondence with Lili Boulanger Memorial Fund about Finney's judging the Fund's competitions.

7 7Br - Bu, 1953 - 1982

Includes letter from Lukas Foss (as conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra).

7 8Carleton College, 1948 - 1966

Contains discussion of and programs of college commencement when honorary doctorate was conferred on Finney.

7 9Chamber Music Society of Baltimore, 1969 - 1990 7 10Composers Forum, 1963 - 1986 and undated 7 11C, 1937 - 1985

Includes letter from Leopold Stokowski on behalf of the Contemporary Music Society.

7 12Fargo - Moorhead Symphony Orchestral Association, 1971 - 1972

Discussion of the orchestra's commissioning of Finney's Space. See also Series VII, sub - series 1, oversized scores, Box 32, Folder 3.

7 13E - L, 1937 - 1987 and undated

Includes 1937 letter from the Guggenheim Foundation informing Finney he has been awarded a Fellowship.

7 14Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, 1962 - 1972

Contains correspondence with Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Music Director regarding premiere of Finney's Concerto for Orchestra and Variations for Orchestra..

7 15Office of Strategic Services (U.S. Government), 1944 - 1945

Contains text of Finney's Certificate of Merit.

7 16M - O, 1964 - 1995

Contains letter and unexecuted contract from Master Musicians Collective.

7 17Peabody Institute, 1973 - 1974 7 18Philadelphia Orchestra, 1959 - 1970

Contains correspondence with Eugene Ormandy regarding the premiers of Finney's Symphony No. 2 and Symphony No. 3. See also Series II, sub - series 2 program notes, Box 11, Folder 26.

7 19P - T, 1937 - 1985 and undated

Includes letters from the Rockefeller Foundation requesting advice on a recording project, and from Smith College attempting to persuade Finney to remain on the faculty.

7 20University of Alabama, 1959 - 1991 7 21University of Hartford, 1982 - 1987 7 22University of Michigan, 1949 - 1987

Includes employment/contract negotiations between Finney and the University, and letters regarding a commission for the school's sesquicentennial in 1967.

7 23U - Z, 1955 - 1986 and undated 8 1Grant applications and Correspondence, 1974 - 1986 8 2Greece trips, 1960 - 1964 and undated

See also Series V photographs, Box 19, Folder 4; Series II, sub - series 1, lectures Box 10, Folder 7; Series III, sub - series 1, press clippings, Box 12, Folders 5 and 9; and Series I, sub - series 1, personal correspondence, Box 2, Folders 6 - 8.

8 3International Fair USA Exhibition, 1965

See also Series V photographs, Box 19, Folder 5.

Libraries and Archives, 1931 - 1991

Contains correspondence with various libraries discussing gifts Finney bestowed on them.

8 4Library of Congress, 1931 - 1989 8 5New York Public Library, 1982 - 1986

Contains transcript of Finney discussing correspondence he has given to the Library, dated Aug. 1982.

8 6A - Z, 1931 - 1991 PublishingCallegarin, Valentino

Callegarin was Finney's copyist. His letters are in Italian.

8 71962 - 1965 8 81966 - 1967 8 91968 - 1969 8 101970 - 1971 8 111972 - 1974 8 121975 - 1979 and undated Henmar Press, Inc.

Henmar documented public performances of Finney's works.

8 131972 - 1978 8 141979 - 1982 8 151983 - 1985 8 16Oberdoerffer, Dr. Fritz, 1969 - 1974

Oberdoerffer prepared Finney's publications for engraving.

C. F. Peters, 1959 - 1994 and undated

The correspondence with Peters documents the publication and copyright activities of Finney's work.

Fisher, Stephen

Fisher held several jobs at Peters over the years, including editor, and eventually was promoted to President ca. 1981, succeeding Henry Hinrichsen. He was also a close friend of the Finneys. See also Series I, sub - series 1, Box 3, Folder 4, and Series V photographs, Box 19, Folders 1 and 3.

8 171969 - 1977 8 181978 - 1982 8 191983 8 201984 - 1985 8 211986 - 1992 and undated 9Gillespie, Don

Gillespie worked in the rights clearance division.

9 11979 - 1986 9 21987 - 1991 9 3Hinrichsen, Henry, 1975 - 1981

Henry, the son of Walter Hinrichsen, worked in the promotions division before being promoted to President of Peters.

9 4Hinrichsen, Mrs. Walter, 1970 - 1983

Mrs. Hinrichsen succeeded her husband as President of Peters ca. 1969. See also sub - series 1, 75th birthday letters, Box 4, Folder 3.

Hinrichsen, Walter

Walter Hinrichsen was President of Peters until his death (ca. 1969).

9 51959 - 1961 9 61962 - 1963 9 71964 Aug. 12 - 1965 Aug. 3 9 81965 Sept. 3 - 1966 Dec. 13 9 91967 - 1969 Mathys, Gertrude, 1969 - 1979

Mathys worked in the production and rights clearances/permissions divisions.

9 101969 - 1973 9 111974 Feb. 22 - 1976 Apr. 8 9 121976 Nov. 5 - 1979 Feb. 7 9 13Taub, Bruce, 1980 - 1985

Taub worked in the editorial division.

General

Includes royalty statements.

9 141961 - 1976 9 151977 - 1991 9 161992 - 1994 and undated 9 17Presser, 1958 - 1987

Includes royalty statement.

9 18General, 1934 - 1991

Includes royalty statements and correspondence from Carl Fischer and other publishers.

Series II: Writings, 1950 - 1984 and undated 2 boxes

The writings are a formal presentation of Finneys thoughts on the process of composition, teaching, the evolution of his music and style, and music in general. They are divided into two sub-series, lectures and articles/other writings. The lectures were delivered to students and to other composers and teachers at meetings, symposia and commencements. The articles appeared in various publications. Both sub-series often contain differing or evolving versions of the lecture or article.

Sub-series 1: Lectures, 1950 1982 and undatedSub-series 2: Articles and Other Writings, 1958 1984 and undatedSub - series 1: Lectures, 1950 - 1982 and undated 1.5 boxes, 41 folders

Alphabetical

This sub-series consists of Finneys typed lectures and notes. Some are on typing paper, others on note cards. Topics are indicated in titles. Also included are two folders of handouts and slide displays Finney used during lectures.

Texts 10 1America Goes West, 1967

Typed manuscript.

10 2 American Cultural Affirmation, undated

Typed manuscript.

10 3Analysis and the Creative Process, 1958

Edition of Scripps College Bulletin with lecture printed in it. A recording of this lecture is in the Ross Lee Finney Collection, Rodgers and Hammerstein Division.

10 4 Analysis of Matthias the Painter by Joseph Hindemith, undated

Typed notecards.

10 5The Artist Must Rebel, 1969

Manuscript and hand - written notes.

10 6Arts in the University, undated

Typed manuscript.

10 7 Athens lecture about University of Michigan, 1964

Typed manuscript. See also Series I, sub - series 2, Greece Trips, Box 8, Folder 2.

10 8 Balancing the Past Against the Future, undated

Typed manuscript.

10 9Changing Attitudes of Students, ca. mid - 1960s

Typed manuscript.

10 10Composers vs. Laymen, undated

Typed manuscript.

10 11 Composer's Symposium address, Indiana University, 1972

Typed manuscript. Also includes listing of Finney's lectures with titles and dates.

10 12The Conflict of Science and Artistic Values, 1975

Typed manuscript. Delivered University of Music School of Music Honors Assembly. See also Science, Technology and Music, Box 11, Folder 5.

10 13Criticism: Trade, Profession or Art? , undated

Includes discussion of Finney's evolution in use of tonality.

10 14 Definitions of Music, Recording, and Electronic Music, undated 10 15Does Music Have Form?, 1966(Typed manuscript with fragile music samples attached throughout.)

A recording of this lecture is in the Ross Lee Finney Collection, Rodgers and Hammerstein Division.

10 16 How Composers Approach Choral Texts, undated

Typed manuscript.

10 17 How A Composer Works, undated

Two separate lectures with same theme. Typed manuscripts and notes. This may be the same lecture referenced in Series III, sub - series 2, concert programs, Box 15, Folder 9.

10 18The Importance of Music, undated

Notes, drafts and final copy, all typed.

10 19A Keynote Address, undated

Typed manuscript.

10 20Landscapes Remembered: Memory and Musical Continuity, 1982

Two printed copies, one edited. See also Series III, sub - series 1, press clippings, Feb. 1983 issue of Ala Breve, Box 13, Folder 2.

10 21Never Write for Children, undated

Typed manuscript.

10 22 New England Conservatory of Music Commencement Address, 1967

Includes program and printed manuscript.

10 23On Being An American Composer, undated

Typed manuscript.

11 1Pattern and Meaning in Music, undated

Typed manuscript.

11 2 Pitch complex in the String Quintet, Second Symphony and The Edge of Shadow, undated

Typed manuscript and music samples. This may be the same lecture referenced in lecture program in Series III, sub - series 2 concert programs, Box 15, Folder 8.

11 3Place of the Composer in the American University, undated

Notes and typed manuscript.

11 4The Relationship Between Theory and Composition , undated

Typed manuscript.

11 5 Science, Technology and Music, undated

Typed and edited manuscript. See also The Conflict of Science and Artistic Values, Box 10, Folder 12.

11 6Should a Composer Talk About His Own Music? , undated

Hand- and typewritten manuscript.

11 7So Long as the Mind Keeps Silent, undated

Typed manuscript.

11 8The Student Looks at Contemporary Music, 1967

Edited typed manuscript.

11 9The Surface and the Depth of Music, undated

Two typed drafts, with edits.

11 10Teaching Music Theory and Analysis, undated

Typed notes.

11 11 Teaching the Piano and Music to Children, undated

Hand - written notes.

11 12Theory in a Period of Change, undated

Typed notes and manuscript.

11 13 Total Serialization, undated

Typed and edited manuscript. Text on back of third leaf continues on back of second leaf.

11 14The Uniqueness of Musical Craft, 1951

Two typed drafts, with edits. Delivered at California Institute of Technology.

11 15Vienna 1832 , undated

Typed notes.

11 16What Makes the Arts Liberal?,1961

Typed notes and manuscript. Delivered at Honors Convocation at Central Michigan University. Program included.

Handouts and Displays

Includes music samples on paper and transparencies.

11 171950 - 1969 and undated 11 18Undated Sub - series 2: Articles and Other Writings, 1958 - 1984 and undated.5 boxes, 10 folders

Alphabetical

This sub-series consists of drafts of articles and program notes by Finney, one folder of interview transcripts, and a folder of poetry and writings by others that influenced Finney.

 11 19Concerning My Fantasy in Two Movements, 1958

Chapter cut out from unidentified journal/magazine.

11 20The Dualism of Musical Structure, undated 11 21Finney discusses his orchestral compositions , 1966 11 22 Memories of Roger Sessions, undated

Contains printed reproduction of photo of Finney with Sessions, Luigi Dallapiccola and Jean Martinon.

11 23Memory and Continuity, undated 11 24The Process of Composing, undated

Written for inclusion in unidentified book.

11 25 Young Composers and University Teaching, undated

Possible book proposal with draft of letter from Finney to publisher.

11 26Program and Recording Notes, undated

Written by Finney for various concerts and one record album jacket.

11 27Interviews, 1973 - 1984 and undated

Two interview transcripts and one set of written answers to printed questions. Includes discussion of Nadia Boulanger and Alban Berg, evolution of Finney's compositional style, influences and memory.

11 28Poetry and Writings, 1979 and undated

These writings by others were either employed by Finney in his music or influenced him. Includes material pertaining to Earthrise and Edge of Shadow.

Series III: Press Clippings and Concert Programs, 1926 - 1993 and undated6 boxes

The combined elements of this series create a detailed history of the public performances of Finneys work, and the reaction to them by critics, from throughout his career. Many performances are documented in both sub-series. The press clippings also contain general articles about Finney not associated with a particular performance. The second sub-series, Concert Programs, encompasses meeting, symposium and lecture programs in addition to musical performances. Oversized clippings and programs are in Series VII, Sub-series 2, Oversized Materials.

Sub-series 1: Press Clippings, 1930 1993 and undatedSub-series 2: Concert Programs, 1926 1992 and undatedSub - series 1: Press Clippings, 1930 - 1993 and undated 1.5 boxes, 27 folders

Chronological

The press clippings begin while Finney was on the faculty at Smith and are thorough, documenting nearly every major performance of his work, especially after 1962. Many of the clippings are local to the places Finney taught (Massachusetts or Michigan), but there are also many articles and reviews from around the United States and Europe, particularly those places Finney visited for seminars or performances.

12 11930 - 1939

Contains news articles about Finney's first Guggenheim Fellowship.

12 21941 - 1953

Contains New York reviews of John Kirkpatrick's debut performance of Finney's Third Sonata in E. Also contains brief 1953 interview with Finney.

12 31955 - 1957 12 41958 - 1959 12 51960 - 1961

Contains articles about Finney's 1960 visit to Greece. See also Series I, sub - series 2, Correspondence, Box 8, Folder 2.

12 61962 12 71963 Jan. - 1963 May 12 81963 July - 1963 Dec.

Includes article by Marjorie Nicholson in American Scientist titled Two Voices: Science and Literature. See also correspondence from Nicholson in Box 3, Folder 25.

12 91964 Jan. 1964 May -

Contains articles about Finney's 1964 visit to Greece. See also Series I, sub - series 2, Correspondence, Box 8, Folder 2.

12 101964 Oct. - 1965 Sept. 12 111965 Dec. - 1966 Oct. 12 121966 Nov. - 1966 Dec. 12 131967 12 141968 - 1969 12 151970 Apr. - 1972 Apr. 12 161972 May - 1972 Dec. 12 171973 - 1974- 12 181975 - 1977

See also Series VII, sub - series 2, Oversized Material, Box 34, Folder 4.

12 191978 Feb. - 1980 June 12 201981 13 11982

Includes Winter 1982 issue of Music at Michigan with 75th birthday tribute to Finney.

13 21983 13 31984 13 41985 - 1986

Includes reviews of Erick Hawkins Dance Company performances of Finney collaborations.

13 51987 13 61988 - 1993- 13 7Undated Sub - series 2: Concert Programs, 1926 - 1992 and undated4.5 boxes, 52 folders

Chronological

The concert programs begin coverage in Finneys Smith College years and continue long past his retirement. Many programs were sent to him by friends and presenters and sometimes contain hand-written notes on the performance by Finney or others. Starting in the early 1960s, Finney usually included a listing of each years performances in his files; they are placed at the start of each years programs in the folders.

 13 81926 - 1939

Includes early publicity material for trio in which Finney performed with his brother.

13 91942 - 1947 13 101948 - 1952 13 111953

See also Series VII, sub - series 2, Oversized Material, Box 34, Folder 5.

13 121955 13 131956 - 1957 13 141958 13 151959 13 161960 14 11961 Jan. - 1961 Sept.

See also Series VII, sub - series 2, Oversized Material, Box 34, Folder 5.

14 21961 Oct. - 1961 Dec. 14 31962 Jan. - 1962 Apr. 14 41962 May - 1962 Dec.

Includes program from ceremony inducting Finney into American Institute of Arts and Letters.

14 51963 Jan. - 1963 Apr. 14 61963 May 14 71963 June - 1963 Dec. 14 81964 Jan. - 1964 Mar. 14 91964 Apr. - 1964 Dec. 14 101965 Jan. - 1965 May 14 111965 June - 1965 Nov. 14 121965 Dec. - 1966 Apr. 15 11966 May - 1966 Oct.

Includes program for 1966 Festival of Contemporary Music honoring Finney's 60th birthday. See also Series VII, sub - series 2, oversized material, Box 34, Folder 5

15 21966 Nov. - 1966 Dec. 15 31967 Jan. - 1967 Apr. 15 41967 May - 1967 July 15 51967 Aug. - 1967 Dec. 15 61968 Jan. - 1968 Mar. 15 71968 Apr. - 1968 Dec. 15 81969

Includes program for lecture by Finney: How Three Compositions Came to Be Composed. This may be the same lecture as the one in Series II, sub - series 1 lectures, Box 11, Folder 2.

15 91970

Includes program for lecture by Finney: How A Composer Composes Music. This may be the same lecture as one in Series II, sub - series 1, lectures, Box 10, Folder 17.

15 101971 15 111972 Jan. - 1972 Mar. 15 121972 Oct. - 1972 Nov. 15 131973 Apr. - 1973 Oct. 15 141973 Nov. 16 11974 16 21975 16 31976 Jan. - 1976 Apr. 16 41976 May - 1976 Dec. 16 51977 16 61978 Feb. - 1979 Apr. 16 71979 May - 1979 Dec. 16 81980 16 91981 16 101982 17 11983 17 21984 17 31985 - 1986 17 41987 17 51988 - 1990 17 61991 - 1992 17 7Undated Series IV: Degrees, Certificates and Awards, 1948 - 1980 and undated 1 box, 9 folders

Alphabetical

Includes honorary degrees from Carleton College and the New England Conservatory of Music, membership certificates for the National Institute of Arts and Letters and Phi Beta Kappa, and other honors. Two awards are located in Series VII, Sub-series 2, Oversized Materials.

18 1Board of Foreign Scholarship Fulbright Certificate, 1964 18 2Brandeis University Creative Arts Commission Medal of Achievement, undated 18 3National Institute of Arts and Letters membership election certificate, 1962 18 4New England Conservatory of Music honorary doctorate, 1967 18 5Phi Beta Kappa membership certificate, 1948 18 6State of Michigan Scroll/Michigan Week Youth Arts Festival, 1963 18 7University of Michigan Development Council faculty award, 1963 18 8University of Michigan School of Music Alumni Society citation of merit, 1980 18 9Who's Who in the Midwest citation, 1964 Series V: Photographs, ca. 1920 - 1987 and undated 1 box, 6 folders

Topical

Photographs are divided into five categories: Ross Lee Finney, other composers, other musicians, trips and events, and unidentified. The photos of Finney are from throughout his life and show him with friends and colleagues, including a set of photos from a performance of the ballet Ahab (1985) by the Erick Hawkins Dance Company. Other composers includes Elliot Carter, Aaron Copland, Luigi Dallapicolla and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Other musicians includes Stephen Fisher (a composer who worked with Finney at his publisher, C.F. Peters) and the Stanley Quartet. Trips and events documents Finneys 1964 visit to Greece and his 1965 International Fair trip.

 19 1Ross Lee Finney, ca. 1920 - 1987 and undated (26 photographs.)

Includes Finney with his family ca. 1920 and with other composers, collaborators and friends throughout his life.

19 2Other composers, undated(11 photographs.)

Includes Elliot Carter, Aaron Copland, Roberto Gerhard, Luigi Dallapicolla, Virgil Thompson and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

19 3Other musicians, 1927 - 1973 and undated (5 photographs.)

Includes Stephen Fisher, the Stanley Quartet and Finney's college piano teacher.

Trips and events 19 4Greece and Paris, 1964(8 photographs)

See also Series I, sub - series 2 correspondence, Box 8, Folder 2.

19 5International Fair USA Exhibition, 1965(8 photographs)

See also Series I, sub - series 2, Box 8, Folder 3

19 6Unidentified, 1962 and undated (5 photographs) Series VI: Scores, 1922 - 1985 and undated 10 boxes

The scores document every phase of Finneys career and include many unpublished works, particularly from his early days, but also from late in his career (for instance, the opera Weep Torn Land (1984)). There are also music analyses dating from both his student and teaching days.

Sub-Series 1: Early Works, 1922 1933 and undatedSub-Series 2: Mature Works, 1934 1985 and undatedSub-Series 3: Exercises and Analyses, 1919 1968 and undatedSub - series 1: Early Works, 1922 - 1933 and undated 3 boxes, 43 folders

Alphabetical within two sets

One set of these compositions was found within a folder on which Finney noted that did not want them to be published or performed. The second set of scores all date from the same time period as the first, and it is presumed Finney would not have wanted them published or performed either.

Set one

These scores were grouped together. The original binding, which contains names and dates of compositions, is in Series VII, sub - series 1,Oversized Materials, Box 34, Folder 2. Finney wrote on the binding that these pieces are not to be published or performed.

20 1Aria for mezzo - soprano solo, women's chorus, string trio and flute, 1931

Words by H.D.

20 2At Baia, 1931

For voice and piano. Setting of poem by H.D.

20 3Chamber Concerto, 1931

For string quartet and piano.

20 4Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, 1930

Arranged for piano accompaniment.

20 5Elegy, 1931

For voice and piano. Settinng of poem Hymen by H.D.

20 6Four Lyric Poems (for pianoforte), 1927

Dedicated to Gretchen Ludke.

20 7Impromptu in March, 1927

For voice and piano. Setting of poem by D.A.E. Wallace.

20 8The Last Invocation, 1930

For voice and piano. Setting of poem by Walt Whitman.

20 9Leda, 1929

For voice and piano. Setting of poem by H.D.

20 10Lost, 1925

For voice and piano. Setting of poem by Carl Sandburg.

20 11The Lost Heart, 1924 - 1926

Words by Gorman. For voice and piano. This copy made in 1926.

20 12Now the Bright Mo