MenuPreliminary Inventory of the Robert Ward Papers, 1950s-2012 and undated
Abstract
Composer of operas and other works who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1962. Chancellor of the N.C. School of the Arts and a faculty member at Columbia and Duke Universities.
Scores and score sketches, correspondence, scrapbooks, research and information files, writings and speeches by Ward, as well as photographs concert programs, awards, recordings, and other materials documenting Robert Ward's life and work. Music scores and drafts include The Crucible, Ward's Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, as well his symphonies, operas, and other compositions. Also includes a corrected proof of his autobiography.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Robert Ward Papers, 1950s-2012 and undated
- Creator
- Ward, Robert, 1917-
- Extent
- 103.3 Linear Feet
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
- Language
- English.
Collection Overview
The 1998 Accessions include scores and score sketches, correspondence, scrapbooks, research and information files, writings and speeches by Ward, as well as photographs and other materials documenting Robert Ward's life and work. Musical works include the operas Abelard and Heloise and The Crucible. (1998-0196, 2500 items, 8.0 linear feet. 1998-0564, 700 items, 22.6 linear feet, ca. 1950s-1980s)
The 2001 Accession primarily consists of scores, program notes, libretti, sketches and other working papers for several of Ward's compositions, especially Roman Fever,Sacred Canticles,Appalachian Ditties and Dances,Sacred Songs for Pantheist, and Songs for Ravenscroft. Also includes several manuscript copies and seven audiocassette tapes of musical compositions by others, including Young Gil Blas by Ernesto Ferreri, Bellarocca by Melissa Malouf and James Legg, and America's Going to the Dickens! by Christopher Coleman. (2001-0105, 148 items, 2.6 linear feet, ca. 1980s-1998 and undated)
The 2003 Accession contains musical scores for Ward's Third Symphony, Concert Music for Orchestra, and Minutes till Midnight. There are also concert programs, newspaper clippings, reviews of Ward's work, and photographs. This is no box list for this accession. (2003-0139, 80 items, 0.9 linear feet, dated 1950-2000 and n.d., bulk 1997-2000)
The 2010-0123 Accession includes musical scores, drafts, proofs, and masters for Ward's 2008 operetta A Friend of Napoleon. Also contains smaller amounts of materials from Ward's other works, including Seventh Symphony; Roman Fever; Dialogues: A Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano Soloists with Orchestra; an oboe quintet; In Praise of Science; and Dialogue on the Tides of Time. Other materials include correspondence and clippings from the North Carolina School of the Arts; clippings from the premiere and performances of The Crucible and Ward's Pulitzer Prize; autobiography drafts; and concert programs, clippings, and miscellaneous papers dating from Ward's early career through 2010, with the bulk of the materials dating from the 1990s to 2010. (2010-0123, 2000 items, 3.4 linear feet, dated 1950-2010)
The 2010-0177 Accession consists largely of musical scores, drafts, masters, and other versions of a variety of compositions by Ward. The 1978 opera Claudia Legare is heavily represented. Other pieces include parts of The Crucible, In Praise of Science, Minutes Till Midnight, The Lady from Colorado, Images of God, Lady Kate, Roman Fever, and several other works. Aside from musical scores, the accession includes a corrected proof of Ward's autobiography, SECTV contracts and planning documents, other miscellaneous materials, and 2 open reel audio recordings of quartets playing some of Ward's compositions. (2010-0177, 3000 items, 6.8 lin. ft., dates unknown)
The 2013-0014 Accession consists largely of musical scores, drafts, masters, and other versions of a variety of compositions by Ward. Aside from musical scores, the accession includes awards, photographs, and recordings. (2013-0014, 375,000 items, 50.0 lin. ft., dates unknown)
Administrative Information
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Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, some of the additions to this collection are not immediately accessible, because they require further processing before use.
In addition, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllThe 1998 Accessions include scores and score sketches, correspondence, scrapbooks, research and information files, writings and speeches by Ward, as well as photographs and other materials documenting Robert Ward's life and work. Musical works include the operas Abelard and Heloise and The Crucible. (1998-0196, 2500 items, 8.0 linear feet. 1998-0564, 700 items, 22.6 linear feet, ca. 1950s-1980s)
Includes various programs, photographs, clippings, and magazines, and journals.
Includes various programs, photographs, clippings, and magazines and journals, scores, awards and certificates
Includes various programs, photographs, clippings, awards and certificates.
Includes various scores, photograph albums, and scrapbooks
The 1998 Accessions include scores and score sketches, correspondence, scrapbooks, research and information files, writings and speeches by Ward, as well as photographs and other materials documenting Robert Ward's life and work. Musical works include the operas Abelard and Heloise and The Crucible. (1998-0196, 2500 items, 8.0 linear feet. 1998-0564, 700 items, 22.6 linear feet, ca. 1950s-1980s)
The 2001 Accession primarily consists of scores, program notes, libretti, sketches and other working papers for several of Ward's compositions, especially Roman Fever,Sacred Canticles,Appalachian Ditties and Dances,Sacred Songs for Pantheist, and Songs for Ravenscroft. Also includes several manuscript copies and seven audio cassette tapes of musical compositions by others, including Young Gil Blas by Ernesto Ferreri, Bellarocca by Melissa Malouf and James Legg, and America's Going to the Dickens! by Christopher Coleman. (2001-0105, 148 items, 2.6 linear feet, ca. 1980s-1998 and undated)
[Some of the materials in this collection (in boxes 1 and 3) are not immediately accessible, because they require further processing before use. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.]
[Folder 3 of 3 is located in box 3.]
[folder 8 of 8 is located in box 3.]
[Folder 3 of 3 from box 1.]
[Folder 8 of 8 from box 1.]
Accession (2003-0139)
The 2003 Accession contains musical scores for Ward's Third Symphony, Concert Music for Orchestra, and Minutes till Midnight. There are also concert programs, newspaper clippings, reviews of Ward's work, and photographs. (2003-0139, 80 items, 0.9 linear feet, dated 1950-2000 and n.d., bulk 1997-2000)
This is no box list for this accession.
Accession (2010-0123)
Accession includes musical scores, drafts, proofs, and masters for Ward's 2008 operetta A Friend of Napoleon. Also contains smaller amounts of materials from Ward's other works, including Seventh Symphony; Roman Fever; Dialogues: A Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano Soloists with Orchestra; an oboe quintet; In Praise of Science; and Dialogue on the Tides of Time. Other materials include correspondence and clippings from the North Carolina School of the Arts; clippings from the premiere and performances of The Crucible and Ward's Pulitzer Prize; autobiography drafts; and concert programs, clippings, and miscellaneous papers dating from Ward's early career through 2010, with the bulk of the materials dating from the 1990s to 2010. (2010-0123, 2000 items, 3.4 linear feet, dated 1950-2010)
Edited and unedited proofs, masters, drafts, printing copies and sketches. Includes manuscript pages, first drafts, libretti, vocal scores, and orchestral scores.
Continued from Box 2.
Accession (2010-0177), dates unknown
Accession (2010-0177) consists largely of musical scores, drafts, masters, and other versions of a variety of compositions by Ward. The 1978 opera Claudia Legare is heavily represented. Other pieces include parts of The Crucible, In Praise of Science, Minutes Till Midnight, The Lady from Colorado, Images of God, Lady Kate, Roman Fever, and several other works. Aside from musical scores, the accession includes a corrected proof of Ward's autobiography, SECTV contracts and planning documents, other miscellaneous materials, and 2 open reel audio recordings of quartets playing some of Ward's compositions. (2010-0177, 3000 items, 6.8 lin. ft., dates unknown)
"The South Must Industrialize," as well as the full score's original masters.
Edited and unedited proofs, printing masters, and drafts, in both original and reduced size formats. Includes full scores, vocal scores, and orchestral scores.
Edited and unedited proofs, printing masters, and drafts. Includes full scores, soprano arias, chamber versions, vocal scores, and orchestral scores. Also contains "The New South" orchestral score.
Contains masters for various parts, including full score.
Scene sketches, vocal scores, and orchestral parts for "Oh Cosmos."
Includes string parts as well as music for "John, I Knew You'd Come Back To Me."
Includes "I Hail This Land" and a full score of "Western Set."
First String Quartet, Arioso for Cello and Piano, Tarantella for Cello and Piano, and First Sonata for Violin and Piano. These materials are restricted until they can be reformatted.
Accession (2012-0094), undated
Series consists of scores and drafts for Ward's various musical compositions, including operas, concertos, and symphonies. Boxes 3-15 are oversized flat boxes.
Accession (2013-0014), undated
Series consists of scores and drafts for Ward's various musical compositions, including operas, concertos, and symphonies. Also includes awards, photographs, and recordings. Boxes 19, 22-24 are oversized flat boxes.
This accession is closed pending processing.
Historical Note
Robert Ward is a composer of operas and other works who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1962. He was chancellor of the North Carolina School of the Arts from 1967 to 1975, and is now Professor of Music Emeritus at Duke University.
Ward was born in 1917 and began composing as a student. He attended Eastman School of Music and Juilliard School of Music in the 1930s and early 1940s before joining the United States Army during World War II. During the war he served as a band director, and was stationed in the Pacific.
Following the war, Ward taught at Juilliard and Columbia, and continued composing and conducting. His second opera, The Crucible, based on Arthur Miller's play, premiered in 1961 and became his best-known work. He won the Pulitzer Prize in Music for The Crucible in 1962.
Ward eventually left New York and became Chancellor of the North Carolina School of the Arts in 1967; he stepped down to the composition faculty in 1975. He joined Duke University as the Mary Duke Biddle Professor of Music in 1979, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1987. He continues to compose and live in Durham, North Carolina.
Subject Headings
- Ward, Robert, 1917-
- Ward, Robert, 1917- Roman fever.
- Ward, Robert, 1917- The Crucible.
- Malouf, Melissa.
- Legg, James.
- Duke University--Faculty.
- North Carolina School of the Arts--Faculty.
- Columbia University--Faculty.
- Composers--United States.
- Composers--United States--Correspondence.
- Audio cassettes.
- Scrapbooks.
- Photographs.
- Scores.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Robert Ward Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Robert Ward Papers was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in 1998, 2001, 2003, 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Processing Information
Processed by Don Sechler, Arístides Llaneza, Eric Hanson, and other Rubenstein Library staff
Completed April 13, 1998, January 4, 1999, August 3, 2001, and October 2010.
Last updated February 2013
Accessions included in this finding aid: 1998-0196, 1998-0564, 2001-0105, 2003-0139, 2010-0123, 2010-0177, 2013-0014
Encoded by Arístides Llaneza, Eric Hanson, Ruth E. Bryan, and Meghan Lyon
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
This collection is minimally processed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.