Robert Parris papers
Collection
0148-SCPA
Robert Parris (1924-1999) was known both as a composer and music critic. He earned his B.S. in composition from the Julliard School of Music in 1948, continued studies at Tanglewood from 1950-51, and went on to complete a Fulbright Scholarship from 1952-53. Parris studied with a number of composers including, Peter Mennin, William Bergsma, Jacques Ibert, Aaron Copland, Otto Luening, and Arthur Honegger. Local to the Washington, DC metro area, Parris worked as music critic for both the Washington Post and Washington Star from 1961-1975. After teaching at Washington State College and University of Maryland, Mr. Parris joined the music faculty at George Washington University in 1963. A large number of Parris’ compositions were published by the American Composers Alliance. This collection consists of original scores, sketches, and printing masters of works composed during Parris’ career.
The collection is open for research use. Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room during SCPA’s operating hours. Please contact the curator for an appointment or if you have questions related to digital access of the materials.
Copyright was not transferred to the University of Maryland with the gift of any copyrighted materials. All rights remain with the creators and rights holders. The University of Maryland Libraries is granted permission for the use in scholarly research by the Libraries’ patrons under fair use in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.
To inquire about duplication of materials for research or for publication, please contact SCPA’s curator.
2.50 Linear Feet
The Robert Parris papers cover the period from 1952 to 1999; the bulk of the materials date from 1976 to 1999. The collection consists of sketches, drafts, notes and edits, and textual materials used and created during his compositional process. Arrangement is chronological.
Robert Parris was born in Philadelphia, PA, on May 21, 1924. He completed B.S. and M.S. music education degrees at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to earn his B.S. in composition from the Julliard School of Music in 1948. Mr. Parris continued his compositional studies at Tanglewood from 1950-51, and took part in a Fulbright Scholarship from 1952-53. His varied educational experiences allowed Parris to study with a number of composers including, Peter Mennin, William Bergsma, Jacques Ibert, Aaron Copland, Otto Luening, and Arthur Honegger.
Local to the Washington, DC metro area, Parris worked as a music critic for both the Washington Post and Washington Star from 1961-1975. After teaching at Washington State College and University of Maryland, Mr. Parris settled in the DC metro area and became a member of the music faculty at George Washington University in 1963.
Mr. Parris had works premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra, and he received several commissions from other major performing ensembles including, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, New York, the Contemporary Music Forum, and the National SO. A large number of Parris' compositions were published by the American Composers Alliance.
This collection is organized into one series.
The Robert Parris papers were placed on deposit by the composer's widow, Anna Parris, in March 2001. It was converted to a gift in December 2015.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library