Jonathan Elkus Opera Manuscripts, Collection II
Scope and Contents
The collection has musical scores in both the creative stage as well as the finished official printed score for several of Elkus’ compositions made during his time at Lehigh. The compositions include primarily short operas but there is also the score for a composition especially written for Lehigh’s band, “Fanfare: Salute to Lehigh University” in 1968) by Sir Arthur Bliss. The operas by Elkus include “Medea,” “Outcasts of Poker Flats,” “Treasure Island.” Many of the scores are dedicated to Lehigh Library. One score includes an original letter from James A. Michener, the American novelist, who found the score and donated it to Lehigh University Library.
Dates
- Creation: 1931-1996
Creator
- Elkus, Jonathan (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection is open for research.
Biographical / Historical
Jonathan Britton Elkus, composer, arranger, teacher, bassoonist, editor was born in San Francisco in 1931. He graduated from University of California Berkeley in 1953 with a BA having studied composition with Charles Cushing and William Denny. He continued his studies at Stanford University studying with Leonard Ratner and Ernst Bacon getting his Masters in 1957. He continued studies with Darius Milhaud at Mills College in 1957. From 1957-1973 he was on the music faculty of Lehigh University. He developed Lehigh’s student band, the Marching 97, into the foremost university band on the East Coast. He became director of the Cape Cod Academy in 1979. As a great proponent of Charles Ives’ music, he serves as editor with the Charles Ives Society. He retired in 2007 from University of California – Davis and continues to manage with his wife, Mickey, Overland Music Distributors. He is guest conductor with concert bands.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (2 boxes) ; 2 linear feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection includes the creative manuscripts for musical compositions made by Jonathan Elkus during his tenure in Lehigh’s Department of Music from 1957 to 1973.
Arrangement
The collection is generally arranged alphabetically by title of score and format size.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Various dates from as early as 1961 to 1996 presented in most cases by Jonathan Elkus to the Lehigh University Library.
Separated Materials
If any material has been removed from the collection, for cataloging, or for other reason, mention it here, such as books, maps, photographs, posters, etc.
Subject
- Cutler, Robert (Person)
- Elkus, Jonathan (Person)
- Lehigh University (Organization)
- Elkus Family (Family)
- Title
- Jonathan Elkus Opera Manuscripts, Collection II
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Ilhan Citak and Eleanor Nothelfer
- Date
- September 18, 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
610-758-4506
610-758-6091 (Fax)
inspc@lehigh.edu