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Series I: Composition diary, 1956-2009
Series II: Biographical Materials, 1939-2010
Series III: Musical Works, 1933-2010
Series VIII: Datebooks, 1964-2009

Jack Beeson papers, 1854-2013

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Series VI: Correspondence, circa 1943-2006

This series contains the bulk of Beeson's correspondence. It is divided into two subseries: the first, containing correspondence with individuals whom Beeson deemed "VIP," is arranged chronologically by item; the second, containing miscellaneous correspondence, is arranged chronologically by 6-month or 12-month (academic year) periods.

This series contains mainly Beeson's miscellaneous personal correspondence, as well as some correspondence relating to Columbia University Department of Music activities. Much of Beeson's correspondence relating to his capacity as professor, chairman, board member, and elected official at Columbia University and numerous arts organizations within and outside of the university is contained in the Subject Files (Series VII), labeled by department or organization. Frequent correspondence with some key individuals, such as Otto Luening, Douglas Moore, John Updike, and several of Beeson's collaborators and colleagues, are also found in the Subject Files (Series VII), under the surname of the correspondent. Some correspondence relating to the composition and performance of Beeson's works is contained in the Musical Works series (Series III), and in Beeson's scrapbooks (Series V).

Subseries VI.1: "VIP" Correspondence, circa 1944-1981


Box 45 Ernest Bloch to Jack Beeson, 1944

This subseries contains select correspondence with individuals who Beeson deemed historically significant, or "VIP," including Ernest Bloch, Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, Samuel Barber, Stephen Sondheim, Tom Stoppard, Otto Luening, and others. These letters are described at the item level and arranged chronologically.

Box 45 Aaron Copland to Jack Beeson, 1945

Box 45 Virgil Thomson to Jack Beeson, 1949

Box 45 Samuel Barber to Jack Beeson, 1950

Box 45 Margaret Stone Zilboorg (Mrs. Gregory Zilboorg) to Nora Beeson, 1951

Box 45 Ernest Bloch to Douglas Moore, 1955

Box 45 Samuel Barber to Jack Beeson, 1956

Box 45 Virgil Thomson to Jack Beeson, 1966

Box 45 Aaron Copland (National Institute of Arts and Letters) to Jack Beeson, 1968

Box 45 Jack Beeson to Aaron Copland (National Institute of Arts and Letters), 1968

(handwritten draft)

Box 45 Elie Siegmeister to Jack Beeson, 1969

Box 45 Virgil Thomson to Jack Beeson, 1969

Box 45 Aaron Copland to Jack Beeson, 1971

(facsimile)

Box 45 Stephen Sondheim to Jack Beeson, 1973

Box 45 Jack Beeson to Tom Stoppard, 1974

(typed draft)

Box 45 Tom Stoppard to Jack Beeson, 1974

Box 45 Jack Beeson to Otto Luening, 1974

(facsimile)

Box 45 Richard Rodgers to Jack Beeson, 1976

Box 45 Jack Beeson to Richard Rodgers, 1976

Box 45 Eugene Ormandy (Philadelphia Orchestra Association) to Jack Beeson, 1977

Box 45 David Diamond to Jack Beeson, 1977

Box 45 Jack Beeson to David Diamond, 1977

Box 45 Memoranda (2) to CU Department of Music staff from Jack Beeson, concerning Virgil Thomson papers, 1977 1978, 1977, 1978

Box 45 Virgil Thomson to Jack Beeson, 1978

Box 45 Jack Beeson to Virgil Thomson, 1978 (draft), 1978

Box 45 Virgil Thomson to Jack Beeson, 1978

Box 45 Jack Beeson to Bill N. Lacy (American Academy in Rome), 1979 (not sent), 1979

Box 45 Jack Beeson to Virgil Thomson, 1979-1981

(contains correspondence with Columbia University Dean and Rare Books and Manuscripts Librarian)

Box 45 Edward Burlingame Hill to Jack Beeson, undated

Box 45 Edward Burlingame Hill to Douglas Moore, undated

Box 45 Virgil Thomson to Jack Beeson, undated

Subseries VI.2: Miscellaneous Correspondence, circa 1943-2006

This subseries contains Beeson's miscellaneous correspondence, arranged chronologically, generally by 6-month or 12-month (academic year) period. Beeson's correspondence while in Rome is separated, as is some correspondence that pertains to the Columbia University Department of Music.

Box 45 1940s and early 1950s circa 1943-1956, 1940s, 1950s, 1943-1956

Box 45 U.S. to Rome, 1948-1950

Box 45 U.S. to Rome, 1958-1959

Box 45 General correspondence, 1959-1960

Box 45 General correspondence, 1960-1961

Box 45 General correspondence, 1961-1962

Box 45 General correspondence, 1962-1963

Box 45 General correspondence, 1963-1964

Box 45 General correspondence, Summer, 1964

Box 45 General correspondence, 1964-1965

Box 45 Columbia University correspondence Rome, 1965-1966

Box 45 General correspondence Rome/NY, 1965-1966

Box 45 General correspondence, 1966-1967


Box 46 General correspondence, 1967-1969

Box 46 General correspondence, 1968-1970

Box 46 General correspondence, 1969-1970

Box 46 General correspondence, Summer, 1970

Box 46 General correspondence, 1970-1971

Box 46 General correspondence, 1971-1972

Box 46 Departmental correspondence, 1970-1972

Box 46 General correspondence, 1972-1973

Box 46 Departmental ("post-Chairman") correspondence, 1972-1976


Box 47 General correspondence, 1973-1974

Box 47 General correspondence, 1974-1975

Box 47 General correspondence, 1976-1977

Box 47 Departmental correspondence, 1976-1980

Box 47 General correspondence, 1977-1978


Box 48 General correspondence, 1978-1979

Box 48 General correspondence, 1979-1980

Box 48 Departmental correspondence, 1980-1985

Box 48 General correspondence, 1980-1981

Box 48 General correspondence, 1981-1982


Box 49 General correspondence, 1982-1983

Box 49 General correspondence, 1983-1984

Box 49 General correspondence, 1984-1985

Box 49 General correspondence, 1985-1986

Box 49 Departmental correspondence, 1985-1989


Box 50 General correspondence, 1986-1987

Box 50 General correspondence, 1987-1988

Box 50 General correspondence, 1988 July -December, 1988

Box 50 General correspondence, 1989 January -June, 1989


Box 51 General correspondence, 1989 July -December, 1989

Box 51 General correspondence, 1990 January -June, 1990

Box 51 General correspondence, 1990 July -December, 1990

Box 51 General correspondence, 1991 January -June, 1991

Box 51 General correspondence, 1991 July -December, 1991

Box 51 General correspondence, 1992 January -June, 1992

Box 51 General correspondence, 1992 July -December, 1992


Box 52 General correspondence, 1993 January -June, 1993

Box 52 General correspondence, 1993 July -December, 1993

Box 52 General correspondence, 1994 January -June, 1994

Box 52 General correspondence, 1994 July -December, 1994

Box 52 General correspondence, 1995 January -June, 1995

Box 52 General correspondence, 1995 July -December, 1995

Box 52 General correspondence, 1996 January -June, 1996


Box 53 General correspondence, 1996 July -December, 1996

Box 53 General correspondence, 1997 January -June, 1997

Box 53 General correspondence, 1997 July -December, 1997

Box 53 General correspondence, 1998 January -June, 1998

Box 53 General correspondence, 1998 July -December, 1998

Box 53 General correspondence, 1999 January -June, 1999

Box 53 General correspondence, 1999 July -December, 1999

Box 53 General correspondence, 2000 January -June, 2000

Box 53 General correspondence, 2000 July -December, 2000


Box 54 General correspondence, 2001 January -June, 2001

Box 54 General correspondence, 2001 July -December, 2001

Box 54 General correspondence, 2002

Box 54 General correspondence, 2003

Box 54 General correspondence, 2004

Box 54 General correspondence, 2005

Box 54 General correspondence, 2006