The Washington Square Contemporary Music Society Archive
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Abstract
The Washington Square Contemporary Music Society (WSCMS) seeks to further the cause of new music by presenting recent works. The Society was founded in 1976 by composer Brian Fennelly. Louis Karchin, Professor in the Music Department of New York University's Faculty of Arts and Science, joined the directorship in 1980. Both composers had already demonstrated their leadership in contemporary music; prior to joining WSCMS, Mr. Karchin co-founded the Harvard Group for New Music and the Chamber Players of the League/ISCM. Since 1976, established composers whose works have been presented include Shulamit Ran, Morton Feldman, John Adams, Milton Babbitt, John Cage, Elliott Carter, Frank Zappa, Phillip Glass, Joan Tower, John Zorn, George Walker, and Charles Wuorinen, among hundreds more. The collection comprises adminstrative records created by the Society, such as programs, flyers, and grant applications, as well as audio recordings of performances.
Historical Note
The Washington Square Contemporary Music Society (WSCMS) seeks to further the cause of new music by presenting recent works in exemplary performances. Since 1976, the Society has worked to attract, educate and invigorate audiences for American contemporary music. From its inception, WSCMS has offered nearly 500 performances of carefully selected and rehearsed compositions by both established and upcoming composers; of these, roughly 200 have been World or New York premieres. Established composers whose works have been presented include Shulamit Ran, Morton Feldman, John Adams, Milton Babbitt, John Cage, Elliott Carter, Frank Zappa, Phillip Glass, Joan Tower, John Zorn, George Walker, and Charles Wuorinen, among hundreds more.
The Society was founded in 1976 by composer Brian Fennelly. Louis Karchin, Professor in the Music Department of New York University's Faculty of Arts and Science, joined the directorship in 1980. Both composers had already demonstrated their leadership in contemporary music; prior to joining WSCMS, Mr. Karchin co-founded the Harvard Group for New Music and the Chamber Players of the League/ISCM.
Source: Washington Square Contemporary Music Society website (http://wscmsny.fhkern.com/)
Arrangement
This collection is separated into three series:
- Series I: Programs and Fliers
- Series II: Financial and Grants
- Series III: Audio
Series I and II are arranged alphabetically. Series III is arranged by audio format, and chronologically within each format.
Scope and Contents
The Washington Square Contemporary Music Society Archive contains papers and audio recordings produced by the WSCMS. It includes flyers, press clippings, programs and notes from performances, financial material, and audio recordings of many of the concerts held by the Society between 1976 and 2012.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open to researchers. Please contact the Fales Library and Special Collections, fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder. Please contact the Fales Library and Special Collections, fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); Washington Square Music Collection; MSS 390; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University Libraries.
Provenance
The Washington Square Contemporary Music Society Archive was donated to NYU's Fales Library & Special Collections by the Society in 2014.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Audiovisual materials have not been preserved and may not be available to researchers.
