Eastern Michigan University Archives

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents

Administrative Information

Controlled Access Headings

Collection Inventory

Career and Legacy

Original Compositions

Summary Information

Repository

Eastern Michigan University Archives

Creator

James, Dorothy

Title

Dorothy James papers

ID

010.DJ

Date [inclusive]

1920-1983

Extent

3.0 Linear feet Five tall archive boxes, one flat box

Language

English

Abstract

Dorothy James was a Professor of music theory and composition at Michigan State Normal College from 1928 until 1969. James was also a nationally known composer. Her papers consist primarily of her original compositions as well as correspondence, clippings, and concert programs. The papers are arranged alphabetically. Records date from 1920 to 1983.

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Biographical Note

Doctor Dorothy James taught music theory and composition in the Music Department at Eastern Michigan University, previously known as Michigan State Normal College from 1927 to 1968.

James was born in Chicago, Illinois on 1 December 1901. She received a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. While working at the Goodman Theater in Chicago, Frederick Stock then director of the Chicago Symphony encouraged her to further her study. With his encouragement James continued her study of composition at Eastman School of Music, and the University of Michigan.

In addition to being an excellent teacher, James was one of America's foremost female composers. She was honored for her achievements by receiving an A. Weidig Gold medal of Excellence in Compositions, and first prizes in multiple national music competitions. Her original compositions include orchestral, choral, organ music, chamber ensembles, and operas. Her works have been performed by the National Music High School Chorus and Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic, Interlochen Youth Chorus and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.

Dorothy James was an active member Delta Kappa Gamma and Mu Phi Epsilon alumnae chapter. While teaching at Eastern Michigan University, James was the faculty advisor for Mu Phi Epsilon from 1950 until her retirement.

After her retirement, Dorothy James moved to St Petersburg, Florida where she resided until her death on 1 December, 1982.

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Scope and Contents

The Dorothy James Papers collection contains information on concerts, correspondence, employment papers, and many original compositions. The collection is arranged alphabetically and is divided into two series. Records date from 1920 to 1983.

The two series that are included in the collection are: Career and Legacy, and Original Compositions. The Career and Legacy series includes two sub-series of Concert Programs, and Correspondence. The Original Composition series includes nine subseries of Chamber Ensembles, Choral, Orchestral, Orchestra with chorus, Operas and Librettos, Organ, Piano, String Ensembles, Voice and Piano.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Eastern Michigan University Archives 2012 November 13

Halle Library, Room 310
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197
734-487-0020

Conditions Governing Access note

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

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Controlled Access Headings

Subject(s)

• Eastern Michigan University
• Michigan State Normal College
• Music trade.
• Music--Instruction and study.

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Collection Inventory

Career and Legacy
Biographical Information 1974-1981      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 1
Clippings 1935-1977      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 2
Concert Programs
1920-1929      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 3
1930-1939      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 4
1940-1949      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 5
1950-1959      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 6
1960-1969      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 7
1970-1979      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 8
1980-1989      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 9
Undated      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 10
Correspondence
1933-1946      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 11
Undated      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 12
				Box
Doctoral Hood				6
Employement Papers 1938      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 13
Lyrics and Poems      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 14
News Releases 1966, 1982      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 15
Photographs      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 16
Royalty Papers 1935-1945      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 17
Teaching Supplements      Box Folder Text (32307024753064)   1 18
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Original Compositions
List of Original Compositions      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 1
Chamber Ensembles
Allegro molto capricciso      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 2
Ellegy for the Dead      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 3-4
Nativity Hymn      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 5
Suite for a Small Orchestra      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 6
Choral
Christmas Night      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 7
Envoy      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 8
Nativity Hymn      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 9
The Night      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 10
Orchestral
Lieder Cycles      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 11
Three Symphony Fragments      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 12
Orchestra with chorus
Mutability      Box Folder Text (32307024753072)   2 13-14
Niobe      Box Folder Text (32307024753080)   3 1-3
Tears      Box Folder Text (32307024753080)   3 4
Unidentified      Box Folder Text (32307024753080)   3 5
Operas and Librettos
Paolo and Francesca      Box Folder Text (32307024753080)   3 6
Paul Bunyon      Box Folder Text (32307024753080)   3 7-8     Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 1-2
Organ
Adagio      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 3
Motiff No. 1      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 4
Piano
Burlesque      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 5
Dedication for Marilyn Mason      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 6
Dirge      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 7
Fragments for Two Pianos      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 8
Morning Music      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 9
Pagoda of Exquisite Purity      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 10
Patterns II      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 11
Satrical Dance No. 2      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 12
Tone Row Suite      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 13
String Ensembles
Ballade      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 14
Duel Personality of a Theme, Adagio, Vivace      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 15
Four Pieces for String Quartet      Box Folder Text (32307024753098)   4 16
Four Preludes from the Chinese      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 1
The Golden Year      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 2
Recitative and Aria      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 3
Rhapsody      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 4
Three Pastorals      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 5
Two Pastorals      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 6
Voice and Piano
A Song (Not for Children)      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 7
Atonement      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 8
Cirquians      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 9
Hail and Noel      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 10
Invocation      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 11
Jumblies      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 12
Lacquer Prints      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 13
Mary's Lullaby      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 14
The Night      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 15
November Night      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 16
Songs for Emily      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 17
So Sleeps the Night      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 18
Sonnet      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 19
Unknown      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 20
White Moon      Box Folder Text (32307024753106)   5 21
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