Title: John W. Downey Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1944-2001

Creator:

• Downey, John W.

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 186

Quantity: 8 cubic ft. (11 boxes)
Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

This collection of composer John Downey's papers mainly consists of clippings (1949-2001), correspondence (1951-2000), programs (1947-2001), and original scores (1944-2000), documenting Downey's musical career. The collection also includes biographical information and program/music notes, lists of Downey's works, and some miscellaneous materials.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0186

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John Downey was born in Chicago on October 5, 1927. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from DePaul University in 1949 and his Master of Music from the Chicago Musical College in 1951. Thereafter he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study in Paris. Downey received a Prix de Composition from the Paris Conservatoire National de Musique in 1956, and a Ph.D. from the Sorbonne in 1957. While in Paris he met Irusha Czuszakivna who became his wife; she also provided the text for some of her husband's works.

In 1964 Downey returned to the United States and was appointed composer-in-residence at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 1986 UWM honored him with the title of Distinguished Professor of Music. At UWM Downey maintained a vigorous schedule of teaching, composing, performing, and conducting. Downey retired from UWM in 1998.

Downey received numerous awards, commissions, and honors throughout his career. He has written well over sixty compositions, and is an internationally recognized composer and conductor.

For more information, please see the biographical information folders (box 1, folders 5-6) in the collection.

Alphabetically by folder title. Oversize scores are in boxes 6-11.

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

• Fine Arts Quartet Records. UWM Manuscript Collection 30.

• UW-Milwaukee Dept. of Music Records. UWM Archival Collection 84.

• UW-Milwaukee School of Fine Arts, Office of Development and Marketing Records. UWM Archival Collection 146.

• UW-Milwaukee School of Fine Arts, Office of the Associate Dean Records. UWM Archival Collection 93.

• UW-Milwaukee School of Fine Arts, Office of the Dean Records. UWM Archival Collection 81.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

John Downey donated his personal papers to the Archives in July 2001 (accession number 2001-002) and February 2002 (accession number 2001-057).

Processing Information

Christel Maass processed the collection in August 2002.

Box   1 Folder   1	Address Book, Copy, undated
Box   1 Folder   2	Articles by Downey, 1962-1990, undated
Box   1 Folder   3	Award, De Paul University, 1969
Box   1 Folder   4	Award, Wisconsin Arts Board, 1991
Box   1 Folder   5-6	Biographical Information and Program/Music Notes, 1979-1997
	Clippings
Box   1 Folder   7	1949-1969
Box   1 Folder   8	1970-1979
Box   1 Folder   9	1980-1985
Box   1 Folder   10	1986-1989
Box   1 Folder   11	1990-1993
Box   1 Folder   12	1994-2001
Box   1 Folder   13	undated
	Correspondence
Box   1 Folder   14	1951-1959
Box   1 Folder   15	1960-1967
Box   1 Folder   16	1968-1970
Box   1 Folder   17	1971-1972
Box   1 Folder   18	1973-1974
Box   1 Folder   19	1975-1976
Box   1 Folder   20	1977
Box   1 Folder   21	1978
Box   1 Folder   22	1979
Box   1 Folder   23	1980
Box   1 Folder   24	1981
Box   1 Folder   25	1982
Box   2 Folder   1	1983
Box   2 Folder   2	1984
Box   2 Folder   3-4	1985
Box   2 Folder   5-6	1986
Box   2 Folder   7-8	1987
Box   2 Folder   9	1988
Box   2 Folder   10	1989
Box   2 Folder   11	1990
Box   2 Folder   12	1991
Box   2 Folder   13	1992
Box   2 Folder   14	1993
Box   2 Folder   15	1994
Box   2 Folder   16	1995
Box   2 Folder   17	1996
Box   2 Folder   18	1997
Box   2 Folder   19	1998-2000
Box   2 Folder   20	undated
Box   3 Folder   1	Lectures, 1976, 1979, undated
Box   3 Folder   2	Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Scotland Tour, 1991
Box   3 Folder   3	Miscellaneous, 1986-1997, undated
Box   3 Folder   4	Music for Youth, 1966-1987, undated
Box   3 Folder   5	New School, New York City, 1984-1985
	Programs
Box   3 Folder   6	1947-1959
Box   3 Folder   7	1960-1962
Box   3 Folder   8	1963-1964
Box   3 Folder   9	1965-1969
Box   3 Folder   10	1970-1972
Box   3 Folder   11	1973
Box   3 Folder   12	1974
Box   3 Folder   13	1975
Box   3 Folder   14	1976
Box   3 Folder   15	1977
Box   3 Folder   16	1978-1979
Box   3 Folder   17	1980
Box   3 Folder   18	1981
Box   3 Folder   19	1982
Box   3 Folder   20	1983
Box   3 Folder   21	1984
Box   3 Folder   22	1985
Box   3 Folder   23	1986
Box   3 Folder   24	1987
Box   3 Folder   25	1988
Box   4 Folder   1	1989
Box   4 Folder   2	1990
Box   4 Folder   3	1991
Box   4 Folder   4	1992
Box   4 Folder   5	1993
Box   4 Folder   6	1994
Box   4 Folder   7	1995
Box   4 Folder   8	1996
Box   4 Folder   9	1997
Box   4 Folder   10	1998
Box   4 Folder   11	1999-2001
Box   4 Folder   12	undated
Box   4 Folder   13	Project Proposals and Applications, 1970-1998, undated
Box   4 Folder   14	Recommendations for Distinguished Professorship, 1981, undated
Box   4 Folder   15	Record Jacket Notes, undated
Box   4 Folder   16	Reminiscences, undated
	Scores
Box   4 Folder   17	Adagio for String Trio, 1959
Box   6 Folder   1	Adagio for String Trio, undated
Box   6 Folder   2	Adagio Lyrico, 1953
Box   4 Folder   18	Ageistics, 1967
Box   4 Folder   19	Agort, 1974
Box   6 Folder   3	Almost 12, 1971, 1974
Box   4 Folder   20	Ambivalencies, 1972
Box   6 Folder   4	Ambivalencies, 1972
Box   4 Folder   21	Angel Talk, 1994-1995
Box   4 Folder   22	Call for Freedom, 1990
Box   6 Folder   5	Call for Freedom, 1990
Box   6 Folder   6	Chant to Michelangelo, 1958, undated
Box   6 Folder   7	City Streets, 1944
Box   4 Folder   23	Come Away Death, 1971
Box   4 Folder   24	Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra, 1987
Box   6 Folder   8	Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra, 1987
Box   4 Folder   25	Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra, undated
Box   6 Folder   9	Concerto for Harp, 1964
Box   7 Folder   1-2	Concerto for Harp, undated
Box   4 Folder   26	Crescendo, 1975
Box   4 Folder   27	Declamations for Orchestra, 1985
Box   7 Folder   3	Declamation, undated
Box   5 Folder   1	Discourse, 1984, 1992
Box   8 Folder   1	Dolphin, 1974
Box   5 Folder   2	Duo, 1981
Box   8 Folder   2	Duo, 1981
Box   5 Folder   3	Eastlake Terrace, 1959, 1966
Box   8 Folder   3	Eastlake Terrace, 1960
Box   5 Folder   4	Edge of Space, 1978
Box   8 Folder   4	Edge of Space, 1978
Box   5 Folder   5	Edges, 1960
Box   8 Folder   5	Edges, undated
Box   5 Folder   6	Fanfare, 1989
Box   5 Folder   7	Fanfare for Freedom, undated
Box   8 Folder   6	Fanfare for Freedom, undated
Box   5 Folder   8	Gaudeamus Igitur, 1969
Box   5 Folder   9	Ghosts, 1998
Box   5 Folder   10	Hey Ho, the Wind and the Rain, 1970
Box   5 Folder   11	High Clouds and Soft Rain, 1977
Box   8 Folder   7	High Clouds and Soft Rain, 1977
Box   5 Folder   12	I Love, 1949
Box   5 Folder   13	Inclusions, 1948
Box   5 Folder   14	Irish Sonata, 1998
Box   8 Folder   8	Jingalodeon, 1968
Box   8 Folder   9	Jingalodeon, undated
Box   9 Folder   1-2	La Joie de la Paix, undated
Box   5 Folder   15	Lake Isle of Innisfree, 1963
Box   5 Folder   16	Lydian Suite, 1981
Box   9 Folder   3	Memories, 1991
Box   5 Folder   17	Memories, 1992
Box   5 Folder   18	Meni Odnakovo, 1990
Box   9 Folder   4	Meni Odnakovo, 1990
Box   5 Folder   24	Mountains and Valleys, 1999
Box   5 Folder   25	Octet for Winds, 1954
Box   9 Folder   5	Octet for Winds, undated
Box   5 Folder   26	Ode to Freedom, 1992
Box   9 Folder   6	Ode to Freedom, 1992
Box   5 Folder   27	Piano Sonata No. 1, 1948
Box   9 Folder   7	Piano Sonata No. 1, undated
Box   5 Folder   28	Piano Sonata No. 2, 1950
Box   9 Folder   8	Piano Sonata No. 2, 1950
Box   5 Folder   29	Piano Trio, 1984
Box   9 Folder   9	Piano Trio, 1984
Box   5 Folder   30	Portrait No. 1, 1982
Box   5 Folder   31	Portrait No. 2, 1983
Box   9 Folder   10	Portrait No. 2, 1983
Box   5 Folder   32	Prayer, 1984, 1989
Box   10 Folder   1	Prospectations, 1970
Box   5 Folder   33	Prospectations III-II-I, 1970
Box   5 Folder   34	Psalm 90, 1997
Box   5 Folder   35	Pyramids, 1974, 1991
Box   5 Folder   36	Qu'en Avez-Vous Fait?, 1988
Box   5 Folder   37	Recombinance, 1986
Box   5 Folder   38	Rough Road, 1994
Box   5 Folder   39	Silhouette, 1980
Box   5 Folder   40	Soliloquy, 1997, 1998
Box   10 Folder   2	Sonata for Violincello and Piano, 1966
Box   5 Folder   41	Star Spangled Banner, 1987
Box   5 Folder   42	String Quartet 1962
Box   10 Folder   3	String Quartet No. 2, 1976, 1985
Box   10 Folder   4	String Trio, 1952
Box   5 Folder   43	String Trio, 1952, 1953
Box   5 Folder   44	Suite of Psalms, 1987
Box   5 Folder   19	Symphonic Module I, 1972
Box   5 Folder   20	Symphonic Module II, 1972
Box   5 Folder   21	Symphonic Module III, undated
Box   5 Folder   22	Symphonic Module IV, 1972
Box   5 Folder   23	Symphonic Module V, 1972
Box   10 Folder   5	Symphonic Modules V, 1972
Box   11 Folder   1	Symphony No. 1 (In Two Movements), 1992
Box   11 Folder   2	Symphony No. 1, Movement 1, undated
Box   11 Folder   3	Symphony No. 1, Movement 2, undated
Box   11 Folder   4	Tabu for Tuba, 1966
Box   5 Folder   45	Tabu for Tuba, 1970
Box   5 Folder   46	Tangents, 1981
Box   5 Folder   47	Three Songs, 1995
Box   11 Folder   5	Toccata, 1948
Box   5 Folder   48	Toccata, 1949
Box   5 Folder   49	Ukranian Folk Suite, 1975
Box   5 Folder   50	Vocal Trio, 2000
Box   11 Folder   6	What If?, 1973
Box   5 Folder   51	What If?, 1973, undated
Box   5 Folder   52	Yad Vashem--An Impression, 1993
Box   5 Folder   53	Yad Vashem--An Impression, 1994
Box   11 Folder   7	Yad Vashem, 1991, 1994
Box   5 Folder   54	Sixty-Ninth Birthday, Cards from Children, 1996
Box   5 Folder   55	Wisconsin Contemporary Music Forum, 1973-1976
Box   5 Folder   56	Works, Lists of, undated