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Aaron Copland School of Music Records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: SCA-0005

Scope and Contents

The Aaron Copland School of Music Collection contains administrative, organizational, and personnel files of the ACSM, as well as students, faculty, and staff within the department. The materials contain correspondence, personnel documents, photographs, advertisements and brochures, publications, and audio materials. The collection spans 1942-2014, however the bulk of the materials are from 1970-2008.

Dates

  • 1942 - 2014
  • Majority of material found within 1970 - 2008

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Appointments to examine materials must be made in advance. Please e-mail QC.archives@qc.cuny.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment. The Personnel Series needs to be reviewed for restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Reproductions may be provided to users to support research and scholarship. However, collection use is subject to all copyright laws. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Historical

The Aaron Copland School of Music (ACSM)is one of the oldest and most notable departments on the Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY) campus in Flushing, Queens. The ACSM developed out of the Department of Music, which was established in 1938 by the college’s first president, Paul Klapper. In 1980, the college approved the name change from “Department of Music” to “School of Music” in recognition of the department’s growing enrollment, distinguished faculty, and increased notoriety. The following year the official name of the School became the “Aaron Copland School of Music,” in honor of American composer and native New Yorker, Aaron Copland (1900-1990).

The department was originally located in Rathaus Hall. In 1991, the department moved into its own building, designed by Robert Marquis. The building features the Ethel LeFrak Concert Hall, the Music Library, and the Elmer and Ethel Thiele Atrium.

The department offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in a wide-range of musical disciplines and tracks including general music, music education, performance, and jazz studies. Outreach to local elementary and secondary students began in earnest when the School of Music was established. The goals of these programs vary from organizing classical music concerts, lectures, and lessons at schools to reaching out to prospective high school students. In 1981, the ACSM established the Center for Preparatory Studies in Music (CPSM) in an offsite facility in Caumsett, New York. When the new music building was built on campus in 1991, the CPSM moved to the Queens College campus. The CPSM bears the name of Director Emeritus Lawrence Eisman.

Throughout its history, the ACSM has offered many opportunities for students, community members and faculty to showcase their musical talent. Student ensembles include the Queens College Symphony Orchestra, Queens College Wind Ensemble, Queens College Choir and Women’s Choir, the Queens College Opera Studio as well as various other smaller instrumental and vocal ensembles. Founded in 1941, the Queens College Choral Society is a vocal ensemble of community members, which includes students and faculty. ACSM faculty lead and are involved in student and community ensembles.

Notable faculty include Sol Berkowitz, Thea Musgrave, Leo Kraft, Roland Hanna, Ronald Roseman, Saul Novak, Paul Maynard, Rufus Hallmark, Hubert Howe, Raymon Erickson, David Walker, Joseph Straus, Karol Rathaus and Carl Schacter

Extent

7.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Aaron Copland School of Music Collection (formerly the Department of Music) consists of materials about the administrative, faculty and student activities of the Aaron Copland School of Music. The collection contains a wide-range of materials including correspondence, brochures, photographs, audio tapes, press clippings, and department course and event schedules. The bulk of the collection consists of personnel files of prominent department faculty.

Title
The Aaron Copland School of Music Collection (formerly the Department of Music)
Author
Regina Carra
Date
Spring 2017
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Queens College (New York, N.Y.) Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
Queens College Library, CUNY
Benjamin Rosenthal Library RO317
65-30 Kissena Boulevard
Flushing 11367 USA us