Vassar College Digital Library
Guide to the Barbara S. Buckley Papers, 1941-1959

Table of Contents

Collection Summary

Repository: Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries
Creator: Buckley, Barbara S.
Title: Barbara S. Buckley Papers
Dates: 1941-1959
Quantity: 6 boxes (2 cubic feet)
Abstract: Collection consists primarily of musical compositions, both original manuscripts and copy prints, as well as a small volume of correspondence, press clippings, writings and biographical documentation.
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Biographical Note

Barbara S. Buckley (Mallinckrodt) was born in Wilmington, Delaware and was both a musician (piano, violin and flute) and composer. She studied at the American School at Fontainebleau under the direction of Nadia Boulanger. Buckley also studied at Boston University, Vassar College (Class of 1945), and Bryn Mawr (1941). Her compositions include a symphony, string quartets, chamber music for strings and piano, solo piano works, a work for solo organ, songs, sacred choral music, and chamber music for winds or brass.

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Scope and Content Note

The Barbara S. Buckley Papers, 1941 - 1959, contain Buckley’s musical compositions, both original manuscripts and photostat copies. Files include her notations and sketches for works created between 1948 and 1959. One letter sized document box contains four folders of correspondence, one of which includes a note from Buckley’s mentor, Nadia Boulanger. Files include press clippings, programs, and two folders of writings by Buckley, possibly from her work as an undergraduate student. One reference folder contains inventory lists describing the collection’s contents, one created at the time of the collection’s accession to Vassar College (including lyrics of selected pieces), and one handwritten collection of inventory lists, circa 1950s.

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Arrangement

The collection is arranged into seven series. Compositions are arranged alphabetically, as titled by the creator. Top

Access

This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional restrictions.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to quote (publish) from unpublished or previously published material must be obtained as described in the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library.

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Subject Headings

Names:

  • Golschmann, Vladimir, 1893-1972
  • Boulanger, Nadia

Organizations:

Subjects:

  • Organ and piano music--Scores
  • Violin and viola music--Scores
  • Vocal music--Scores

VCL Categories

  • Music
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Encoding Information

Encoded by Laura Streett, 2019.

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Preferred Citation

Barbara S. Buckley Papers, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.

Processing Information

Processed by Janine St. Germain, June 2017.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Elizabeth Bryden, 2017.

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Series List

Series I. Compositions, 1948-1959 (Boxes 1-5)

Orchestral Works, 1952-1959 (Boxes 1-2)
Piano and Organ Works, 1951-1959 (Box 2)
Quartets, 1950-1959 (Boxes 2-3)
Small Ensembles, 1950-1959 (Boxes 3-4)
Violin and Viola 1953-1958 (Box 4)
Vocal Works 1948-1959 (Box 5)

Series II. Biographical , 1943-1959 (Box 6)

Series III. Correspondence, 1949-1958 (Box 6)

Series IV. Press Clippings, 1947 (Box 6)

Series V. Programs and Invitations, 1953-1958 (Box 6)

Series VI. Writings, 1941-1942 (Box 6)

Series VII. Reference, undated (Box 6)

Container List

Series I. Compositions

Orchestral Works
1.1 Divertimento for String Orchestra no. 1, full score and parts, negative print, original MS and bound copy, 1954-1955
1.2 Overture to Winterset, original MS
1.3 Passacaglia for Orchestra (Carlo Gesualdo), original MS 1959
1.4 - 1.6, 2.1 Symphony no. 1, original MS, negative copy, 1952-1954 (2 bound copies)
2.2 Symphony no. 2 in D, One Movement, original MS, draft
Piano and Organ Works
2.3 Sonata no. 1 in D, “For Mrs. Olga Muller and Eudoxia Woodward,” original MS and print, 1955
2.4 Sonatine Pour Deux Pianos, (3) original MSS, 1954
2.5 Arietta for Organ, (2) prints, 1951
2.6 Pianoforte, Variations on a theme by Paganini, original MS, unfinished, 1959
2.7 Sonata Pour Piano, (3) MSS 1954
Quartets
2.8 - 2.10 Children’s Quartet, Five Pieces for Children, original MSS, 1950-1953
3.1 Hidden Words, String Quartet, Prière de Salut, Commune of Healing, Soprano solo, original MS, prints and parts, including sketches, 1959
3.2 String Quartet no. 1, master score and parts, 1957
3.3 String Quartet no. 2, original MS and parts (copies), 1959
Small Ensembles
3.4 Concert no. 1 (Kleine), violins I and II, viola II - Ubellaunig, 1951
3.5 Concerto for Two Trumpets and String Orchestra, includes unfinished sketches, 1959
3.6 Oboe Trio, Sonate Pour Oboe, Cello, Piano, original MS and parts, notes and copies, 1958-1959
3.7 Oboe Trio, original MS and parts, 1959
3.8 Quintetta I, violin, (2) photocopied MSS 1950-1953
3.9 Quintetta I, strings and piano score (parts), photocopied MS, 1950-1953
4.1 Sonata for oboe, violoncello and piano, original MS and photocopies
4.2 Suite for Percussion and Piano, original MS and parts, 1958-1959
4.3 Trio for Strings, Op. 2, original MS and parts
4.4 Woodwind Quintet, original MS, unfinished, 1954
Violin and Viola
4.5 Petite Suite for Two Violins, original MS, 1953
4.6 Sonata no. 1 for Viola and Piano, original MS 1958
4.7 Sonata no. 2 in D, violin and piano, “To L. Voserchian and E. Dick,” original MS, negative and positive prints, 1954
4.8 Sonata for Violin and Piano, “To Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Krips,” MS score, master sheets, (1) bound copy
Vocal Works
5.1 A Voice on the Winds (Lionel Johnson), soprano, piano, master copy, 1951
5.2 Air for Contralto and Viola, St. John 14:27, master print, 1951
5.3 Canata no. 1 (By Night On My Bed I Sought Him), soprano, cello, piano, original MSS, master copies, 1958
5.4 Communion Service, Children’s Choir, Organ, Viola, All Saints Episcopal Church, (2) original MSS, 1955
5.5 Comparative Analysis, soprano, piano, original MS, 1957
5.6 Love Song, Op. 3, no. 1 (Robert Nichols), voice, piano, original MSS, positive and negative prints, 1948
5.7 Lullaby for Christopher (Sapp), soprano, piano, original MSS, 1952
5.8 Missa Brevis, choir, 2 violins, 2 flutes, drum triange, 2 trumpets in B flat, original MS, photocopies, 1954-1959
5.9 The Navigators, Op. 3, no. 3 (Walter James Turner), baritone, piano, original MS, negative and positive prints, 1949
5.10 Pie Jesu, soprano, piano, photocopy, 1951
5.11 Psalm 1 Op. 4, no. 1, psalm 1:1-3 King James Version, soprano, alto, tenor, bass chorus, piano, original MS, negative and positive prints, 1949
5.12 Psalm 139, contralto, piano, original MS, mock up, master and copies
5.13 The Snail (John Donne), tenor, baritone, piano, original MS, 1957
5.14 Spirit, Silken Thread (Margo Ruddock), medium voice, piano, master copies, 1952
5.15 To Quick My Ear (Emily Dickinson), voice, piano, original MS, incomplete, 1957
5.16 A Widow Bird, Op. 3, no. 3 (Walter James Turner), baritone, piano, original MS, positive and negative prints, 1949
5.17 Winter Song (Oliver Heford), voice, piano, MS draft, 1952

Series II. Biographical

6.1 Certificate of Attendance, Ecoles des Americaines, 1952
6.2 Handwritten text and notations addressing congressional bill regarding scientific research and study, 1945-09-28
6.3 School transcript, Boston University School of Fine and Applied Arts, 1959
6.4 Vassar College, Italian assignments, 1943-02-17
6.5 Vassar College report card, 1943 February

Series III. Correspondence (to BSB)

6.6 Boulanger, Nadia, 1957-09-16
6.7 Compton, Arthur H. (telegram), 1949
6.8 Golschmann, Vladimir, (2) letters, 1957
6.9 Rudolf, Max, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 1958-11-29

Series IV. Press clippings

6.10 (4) clippings 1947, undated

Series V. Programs and invitations

6.11 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Mademoiselle Nadia Boulanger Reception, 1958-04-24
6.12 St. Louis Women’s Symphony, Palais de Fountainebleu, 1947, 1953

Series VI. Writings

6.13 A Small Anthology, TS, 1942-05-12
6.14 Essays, holograph, 1941

Series VII. Reference

6.15 Composition inventory lists, including lyrics of selected works

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Details
Abstract

Collection consists primarily of musical compositions, both original manuscripts and copy prints, as well as a small volume of correspondence, press clippings, writings and biographical documentation.

Finding Aid Date
Dates: 1941-1959
Collection Title
Barbara S. Buckley Papers