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Series II: Incomplete Pieces and Ideas
Series IV: Biographical Material, 1968-2018
Subseries VI: Articles, Review and clippings, 1970-2016
Series VII: Scrapbooks, 1966-1986
Series VIII: Photos, 1952-2009
Series IX: Audio Recordings, 1995-2014

Alvin Singleton papers, 1952-2021

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Series I: Music Scores and Related Materials

This series consists primarily of musical scores, including sketches, pencil scores, parts, transparencies, photocopies, and published versions. The series includes some related materials, including notes, mock-ups, and research materials.

Arranged by genre, and then chronologically.

Subseries I.1: Orchestra, 1968-2012

Moment, 1968

Written to get into graduate school, never performed or published.


Box 13 Printed version

With ownership signature of Singleton. 3 copies.

Box 13 Printed version, with mock-up

A Yellow Rose Petal, 1982

First orchestral commission, by the Houston Symphony Orchestra.


Box 8 Folder 7 Heavily annotated printed score, 32pp.


Box 4 Folder 1 Published version


Box 8 Folder 8 Manuscript notes, 1p.

Box 8 Folder 7 Photocopy of annotated score

Box 8 Folder 8 Mock-up for contest, with names redacted

Second printed copy

Shadows, 1987

Written while Singleton was composer in residence for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Box 8 Folder 5 Manuscript pencil score, 12pp.

Box 8 Folder 3 Photocopy version


Box 1 Folder 2 Manuscript pencil sketches, 11pp.

Box 1 Folder 2 Manuscript notes to score, 1p.


Box 8 Folder 4 Photocopy, lightly annotated, 32pp.


Box 1 Folder 1 Published version

Eine Idee ist ein Stueck Stoff, 1988

In memoriam James Baldwin & Gustav Mahler, for string orchestra.


Box 4 Folder 3 Pencil manuscript score, 7pp.

Box 4 Folder 3 Pencil draft/notes for the pencil manuscript score, 2pp.

Box 4 Folder 2 Manuscript sketch of score, 7pp.

Box 4 Folder 3 Printed copies for individual parts


Box 8 Folder 6 Published Version


Box 4 Folder 3 Mockups for printed version

Even Tomorrow, 1991


Box 9 Folder 11 Manuscript pencil score, 23pp.


Box 8 Folder 2 Printed score

2 copies.


Box 1 Folder 3-4 Parts masters, printed


Box 8 Folder 1 Singleton's mock-up, 36pp.


Box 9 Folder 10 Photocopy of annotated score

Sinfonia Diaspora, 1991

Box 9 Folder 9 Pencil manuscript score, 32pp.


Box 1 Folder 5 Printout of score

Box 1 Folder 5 Published score

2 copies.

Durch Alles, 1992


Box 9 Folder 8 Manuscript pencil score and sketches, 23pp.

Includes occasional personal notes (telephone and fax numbers)

Box 9 Folder 7 Printed score and published version

Cara mia Gwen, 1993

Box 9 Folder 3 Printed Score

Four versions

Box 9 Folder 5 Photocopy of pencil score

Box 9 Folder 4 Photocopied score

Box 9 Folder 6 Manuscript Pencil Score, 21pp.

Box 9 Folder 6 Manuscript Pencil Score, 10pp.

56 Blows (Quis Custodiet Custodes?), 1994

Philadelphia Orchestra commission; occasioned by the police beating of Rodney King.


Box 4 Folder 5 Manuscript pencil score, 22pp.

Box 4 Folder 5 Manuscript pencil sketch, 6pp.


Box 1 Folder 6 Xeroxes of score


Box 10 Folder 4 Published version

3 copies.

Box 10 Folder 4 Printed version


Box 4 Folder 5 Manuscript title page and instrumentation notes


Box 1 Folder 7 Speech by Bill Bradley

BluesKonzert, 1995

For piano and orchestra.


Box 10 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil score for piano, 4pp.

Box 10 Folder 6 Full manuscript pencil score, 40pp.

Box 10 Folder 7 Published version

Photocopied scores

38pp., each, and some additional pages

Box 10 Folder 5 1 unmarked copy

Box 10 Folder 5 1 annotated copy


Box 4 Folder 4 Photocopies of parts

Umoja - Each One of Us Counts, 1996

Narrator and orchestra, text by Rita Dove, written for Atlanta Olympics, 1996.


Box 9 Folder 2 Manuscript pencil score, full orchestra, Atlanta, 1996 May 10, 50pp.

Box 9 Folder 1 Photocopy of pencil score

PraiseMaker, 1998

Chorus and orchestra, text by Susan Kouguell.


Box 11 Folder 9 Manuscript pencil score, Approximately 50pp.


Box 1 Folder 10 Accompanying manuscript notes on instrumentation

Box 1 Folder 10 Vocal Score


Box 11 Folder 8 Published score

Box 11 Folder 10 Photocopy of published score

Brooklyn Bones, 2008

For tenor, chorus, and orchestra, text by Patricia Hampl.

Box 11 Folder 11 Published version


Box 1 Folder 9 Printed copy with annotations

Miaka Kumi, 2010


Box 10 Folder 1 Published score

Different River, 2012

Box 10 Folder 2 Published score

Subseries I.2: Improvising Orchestra, 1970

Mestizo II, 1970

Written while Singleton was in graduate school at Yale. See Also: Mestizo in Subseries I.4 (Box 7).


Box 13 Folder 5 Manuscript pencil score, 26pp.

Box 13 Folder 4 Published version with manuscript annotations

Subseries I.3: Chamber Orchestra, 1974-1979

Kwitana, 1974


Box 4 Folder 11 Manuscript pencil score, 43pp.

Box 4 Folder 10 Manuscript pencil sketches, 7pp.

Box 4 Folder 9 Manuscript pencil scores for different instruments, 45pp.


Box 1 Folder 8 Manuscript pencil sketches, 29pp.

Box 1 Folder 8 Typescript notes, 4pp.

Again, 1975, revised 1979


Box 4 Folder 7 Manuscript pencil score of 1975 version, 14pp.

Box 4 Folder 6 Transparency of 1975 version, 17pp.


Box 10 Photocopy of 1979 score

2 copies.

Box 10 Folder 3 Published version, 1975-1979


Box 4 Folder 8 Printed copy of 1975 version

Subseries I.4: Wind Band and Other Band

Mestizo, probably 1969

Pencil score labelled Mestizo. This does not appear to be the same piece as Mestizo II.


Box 7 Folder 10 Pencil score

Ridgeview Centrum, 2001

Written to honor the students at Ridgeview Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia.


Box 1 Folder 15 Published version

Where the Good Sounds Live, 2014

For concert band


Box 11 Folder 1-2 Published score, plus copy of same

Subseries I.5: Chamber Ensemble, 1964-2019

Fughetta, 1964

For clarinet trio


Box 5 Folder 4 Pencil Parts

Box 5 Folder 4 Printed score

Pathos-Bathos, 1965

For oboe and piano

Box 5 Folder 2 Printed copy

Singleton's own copy, of manuscript score

Box 5 Folder 2 Manuscript pencil score, 18pp.

Signed by Singleton

Box 5 Folder 2 Transparency of parts, 4pp.

String Quartet No. 1, 1967

Box 5 Folder 3 Published score with pencil annotations

Woodwind Quintet, 1968-1969

Box 5 Folder 1 Printed score

With overlaid cancels with manuscript corrections

Box 5 Folder 1 Manuscript pencil score, 22pp.

May be an incomplete or partial score

Be Natural, 1974

For any combination of three bowed string instruments, awarded the Kranischsteiner Musikpreis, City of Darmstadt, Germany, July 30, 1974.


Box 11 Folder 3 Manuscript score plus instructions, 1p.

Box 11 Folder 3 Large folio transparency score

Box 11 Folder 3 Xeroxes, 2pp.

Box 11 Folder 3 Manuscript notes, 4pp.

Extension of a Dream, 1977, revised 1987

For two percussionists. Dedicated to the South African anti-apartheid martyr, Steve Biko.


Box 1 Folder 12 Manuscript pencil score, 16pp.


Box 11 Folder 7 Mock-up of score, plus 2 prelims, 11pp.


Box 1 Folder 11 Photocopies of printed score


Box 11 Folder 7 Published version


Box 1 Folder 13 Research for Piece

Such a Nice Lady, 1979

For chamber ensemble; first performed at Carnegie Recital Hall, Dec. 12, 1979; written in Graz, Austria.


Box 11 Folder 6 Transparency of pencil score, 12pp.

Box 11 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil score for string parts, 5pp.


Box 1 Folder 14 Clarinet part, pencil manusccript score, 3pp.

Box 1 Folder 14 Piano part, manuscript score, 7pp.


Box 11 Folder 4 Printed full scores, heavily annotated

Box 11 Folder 5 Manuscript color pencil notes on rhythm patterns

Box 11 Folder 5 Manuscript pencil sketches, 40pp.

Et Nunc, 1980


Box 12 Folder 13 Printed score, with two annotated copies, 8pp., each

One of the annotated copies is marked "Correction Copy" and is heavily annotated. The other copy is lightly annotated.


Box 1 Folder 16 Photocopy score

3 copies.


Box 5 Folder 5 Notes and Sketches

La Flora, 1983

For chamber ensemble


Box 13 Folder 3 Manuscript transparencies, 13 leaves

Apple, 1984

For clarinet quartet


Box 12 Folder 10 Manuscript pencil score, 27pp.


Box 2 Folder 8 Published version


Box 5 Folder 9 Photocopy of printed score with post-it note edits

Box 5 Folder 9 Photocopies and printed versions of different parts

Akwaaba, 1985

For chamber ensemble


Box 6 Folder 1 Several printed scores, one partially annotated in pencil

Box 6 Folder 1 Original drawing of illustration used for cover

Secret Desire to be Black, 1988

String Quartet No. 2


Box 2 Folder 9 Manuscript pencil score, 21pp.

Box 2 Folder 9 Published versions, plus printed copies


Box 5 Folder 10 Manuscript notes, 1p.

Box 5 Folder 10 Published version (European American Music), plus photocopies, and parts

Somehow We Can, 1994

String Quartet No. 3


Box 12 Folder 11 Manuscript pencil score, plus sketches, 15pp.

Box 12 Folder 11 Photocopy of pencil score


Box 2 Folder 7 Published version

Ein Kleines Volkslied, 1997

For chamber ensemble


Box 12 Folder 12 Manuscript pencil score, 9pp.


Box 2 Folder 2 Published version

Box 2 Folder 2 Xerox copy of Score

In Our Own House, 1998

For soprano saxophone, trumpet, snare drum, and piano


Box 5 Folder 7 Manuscript pencil score, 4pp.

Box 5 Folder 7 Published version

Box 5 Folder 7 Photocopy of pencil score

Fifty Times Around the Sun, 1999

For clarinet and piano


Box 2 Folder 5 Published version


Box 5 Folder 6 Printed copy

Box 5 Folder 6 Heavily annotated Xerox of score, 12pp.

Box 5 Folder 6 Second annotated Xerox

Jasper Drag, 2000

For clarinet, violin, and piano. Memorializing the 1998 racially motivated murder in Jasper, Texas.

Box 5 Folder 8 Manuscript pencil score, 12pp.

Box 5 Folder 8 Photocopy of pencil score

Box 5 Folder 8 Printed version

Vous Compra, 2002

For trumpet and piano improvisers


Box 2 Folder 3 Manuscript pencil score, 2pp.

Unpublished

Box 2 Folder 3 Photocopies of pencil score

Greed Machine, 2003

For vibraphone and piano

Box 2 Folder 1 Published score

Box 2 Folder 1 Manuscript pencil score, 12pp.

Box 2 Folder 1 Xerox copy of printed score

Box 2 Folder 1 Vibraphone part

Ishirini, 2003

For two violins

Box 2 Folder 4 Manuscript pencil score, 7pp.

Box 2 Folder 4 Published version

Box 2 Folder 4 Xerox of manuscript pencil score

Helga, 2003

For violin, viola, and cello

Box 2 Folder 6 Published score

Box 2 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil score, 4pp.

Box 2 Folder 6 Instrument Parts

Through It All, 2007

For woodwind quintet

Box 2 Folder 12 Published score and photocopy

Almost A Boogie, 2010

Box 2 Folder 10 Published Version

Box 2 Folder 10 Photocopy with annotations

Halleluiah Anyhow, 2019

String Quartet No. 4

Box 2 Folder 11 Published version

Subseries I.6: Voices and Instruments, 1971-2016

A Seasoning, 1971

For female or male voice and chamber ensemble, text by Alvin Singleton


Box 12 Folder 9 Manuscript pencil score, 20pp.

Box 12 Folder 9 Photocopy of pencil score

Box 12 Folder 9 Transparency and copy of manuscript score

Calm Sea, 1975

For 11 to an unspecified number of pitched instruments and audience

Box 12 Folder 8 Large printed score

Messa, 1975

For soprano solo, small chamber choir, flute, 2 chitarre, electric organ, cello, bass


Box 6 Folder 8 Pencil Score, 38pp.

Box 6 Folder 8 Sketches and Notes

Box 6 Folder 8 Photocopy of pencil score

Dream Sequence, 1976

Theater piece / oratorio, libretto by Alvin Singleton. Premiered in Graz with Maurice Peress conducting, 1976.


Box 13 Folder 2 Manuscript pencil score, 80pp.


Box 6 Folder 2 Manuscript pencil score, 18pp.

Box 6 Folder 2 Notes and drawings, 6pp.

Box 6 Folder 3 Manuscript scene diagram on 2 large sheets

Box 6 Folder 2 Manuscript notes, Approximately 24pp.

Box 6 Folder 3 Libretto text, ts., 15pp.

Annotated

Box 6 Folder 2 Manuscript notes, 15pp.


Box 13 Folder 2 Photocopy of full score, 84pp.

Annotated


Box 6 Folder 3 Libretto

Box 6 Folder 3 Research for Piece

Necessity is a Mother, 1981

For three female actors and double bass


Box 12 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil score, 17pp.

Box 12 Folder 6 Mock-up of score, 11pp.


Box 3 Folder 6 Manuscript notes: instructional text for actors, 1p.


Box 12 Folder 6 Mock-up for voice parts, 5pp.

Box 12 Folder 6 Mock-up for bass, 6pp.


Box 3 Folder 6 German translation

Box 3 Folder 6 Reduced photocopy

Box 3 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil sketches working out timing of parts, 5pp.

Box 3 Folder 6 Photocopy of timing calculations

Box 3 Folder 6 Manuscript text notes, 2pp.


Box 12 Folder 6 Manuscript notes, 2 large pages


Box 3 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil sketches, 5pp.

Box 3 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil sketch, with annotations, 1p.

Box 3 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil notes, sketches

Bernsteinlied, 1988

For soprano, flute, and piano, composed for Lenny's 80th birthday


Box 6 Folder 5 Published version

2 copies

Box 6 Folder 5 Manuscript pencil score, 4pp.

Box 6 Folder 5 Xerox of pencil score

Search, 1990

For soprano, flute, and vibraphone, text by Marie Evans


Box 3 Folder 5 Photocopy of pencil score

Box 3 Folder 5 Manuscript pencil score

Between Sisters, 1990

Based on Rita Dove poem "The House Slave," for soprano, alto flute, vibraphone, and piano

Box 3 Folder 3 Pencil manuscript score, 12pp.

Box 3 Folder 3 Photocopy of pencil score

Box 3 Folder 3 Annotated photocopy of manuscript score, plus published version

Box 3 Folder 3 Pencil sketches, plus printout of poem, 5pp.

Sing to the Sun, 1995

For children's chorus, narrator, and chamber ensemble, poems by Ashley Bryan. Dedicated to Lisa Cooper.


Box 12 Folder 7 Pencil manuscript score, 17pp.

Box 12 Folder 7 Photocopy proofs with manuscript notes, highlighting


Box 3 Folder 2 Published version

Box 3 Folder 2 Xerox of score

Box 3 Folder 2 Photocopies from Bryan's book


Box 13 Folder 7 Photocopy of pencil score


Box 3 Folder 2 Programs of premiere

TRUTH, 2005

Box 3 Folder 1 Published score

Say You Have This Ball of Meaning, 2005

For baritone, harp, accordion, percussion, and string orchestra, text by Patricia Hampl

Box 3 Folder 4 Published score

Prayer, 2016

For tenor solo, chamber choir, organ, harp, trumpet, and cello, text based on three spirituals and a traditional prayer


Box 2 Folder 13 Published score

Subseries I.7: Chorus, 1966-1988

Epitaph, 1966 May


Box 6 Folder 4 Manuscript pencil score, 13pp.

Box 6 Folder 4 Photocopy of original pencil score

Box 6 Folder 4 Published version

Alleluia, 1987

For female chorus


Box 3 Folder 9 Photocopies of pencil score

May have been used a printed version.

Fallen Crumbs, 1987

For male chorus; text by Alvin Singleton


Box 6 Folder 7 Manuscript pencil score, 3pp.

With miscellaneous partially printed score on verso.

Box 6 Folder 7 Photocopy of pencil score

The World Is Here With Me, 1990

For female chorus, written for graduation ceremony, Spelman College


Box 2 Folder 14 Manuscript pencil score, 11pp.

Box 2 Folder 14 Draft of score, with notes

Box 2 Folder 14 Final version, printed

2 copies.

Gospel, 1998

For chorus; text by Rita Dove


Box 6 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil score, plus pencil sketches, 8pp.

Box 6 Folder 6 Photocopy of pencil score

Box 6 Folder 6 Published version

Subseries I.8: Solo Instruments, 1966-2011

Mutations, 1966


Box 12 Folder 2 Published Version

Cinque, 1969

Five pieces for piano


Box 7 Folder 1 Manuscript pencil score, 10pp.

Box 7 Folder 1 2 published scores

Box 7 Folder 1 Photocopy of pencil score

Box 7 Folder 1 Transparency of score, 11pp.

Changing Faces, 1970, 1986

For solo piano

Box 7 Folder 2 Published score, 1986

In a collection solo piano pieces by several composers including Singleton, published 1986.

Argoru I, 1970

For solo piano

Box 7 Folder 3 Manuscript pencil score, 8pp.

There is a photocopy for page 8; pp. 1-7 are the original manuscript.

Box 7 Folder 3 Transparency of score

Box 7 Folder 3 Published version

Argoru II, 1970

For solo cello

Box 7 Folder 4 Manuscript pencil score, 4pp.

Box 7 Folder 4 Published score

Argoru III, 1971

For solo flute


Box 3 Folder 7 Manuscript pencil score, 4pp.

Box 3 Folder 7 Published score and photocopy

Argoru IV, 1978

For solo viola


Box 12 Folder 3 Transparencies of manuscript score


Box 7 Folder 5 Published version


Box 12 Folder 3 Photocopy of manuscript score, correction copy


Box 7 Folder 5 Sketches and notes

Le Tombeau du Petit Prince, 1978

For solo harpsichord


Box 12 Folder 4 Transparency of pencil score, 6pp.

Box 12 Folder 4 "Correction copy"

Printed from manuscript pencil score


Box 3 Folder 8 Published version

Box 3 Folder 8 Photocopied score of harpsichord part, with annotations by harpsichordist

Box 3 Folder 8 Page of unit sales

Inside-Out, 1983–1984

For piano four hands


Box 7 Folder 6 Manuscript pencil score, 9pp.

Box 7 Folder 6 Photocopy of pencil score, printed version

Argoru V/a, 1984, revised 2004

For solo bass clarinet

Box 7 Folder 7 Manuscript pencil score, 12pp.

Box 7 Folder 7 Photocopy of pencil score

Box 7 Folder 7 Published version

Argoru V/b, 1984

For solo alto flute, unfinished


Box 3 Folder 10 Manuscript pencil score, 9pp., plus photocopies

Argoru VII, 1994

For solo vibraphone

Box 3 Folder 11 Manuscript pencil sketches, 6pp.

Box 3 Folder 11 Published version

Mookestueck, 1999

For 5-string electric viola. Written for Martha Mooke.


Box 6 Folder 9 1 large sheet of sketches for the piece, with notes

Box 6 Folder 9 1 smaller sheet notes

Box 6 Folder 9 Pencil manuscript score, 1999, 3pp., plus photocopies

Box 6 Folder 9 Published Version

Argoru VIII, 2002

Snare drum solo


Box 3 Folder 12 Published version


Box 12 Folder 5 Manuscript pencil score, 6pp., plus printed copies


Box 3 Folder 12 Photocopy of pencil score

Box 3 Folder 12 Commission Agreement

Baked in the Cake, 2011

For solo piano

Box 3 Folder 13 Photocopy of published score