Alice Parker (b. December 16, 1925 – d. December 24, 2023) was an American composer, conductor, and teacher whose work includes more than 400 compositions including operas, cantatas, choral pieces, and songs cycles on Native American texts as well as poetry. From 1949 to 1967 she worked as an arranger for Robert Shaw Chorale, arranging folk songs, hymns, and spirituals from around the world. In 1985, she founded Melodious Accord, Inc., a non-profit which presents choral concerts, hosts workshops, and provides training for composers, conductors, and song leaders. The Alice Parker papers include 290 original manuscripts, documents and related correspondence regarding workshops hosted by Melodious Accord, Inc., programs, and audio materials. The collection spans from 1960 to 2016.
The collection is unprocessed but open for research use with an appointment. 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.
40.50 Linear Feet
English
Gift of Alice Parker, July 2003 with subsequent accruals
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library