James Furman papers, 1960-1990 | Center for Black Music Research

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Collection Overview

Title: James Furman papers, 1960-1990

ID: 1000/FURM_1007

Primary Creator: Furman, James (1937-1989)

Extent: 8.0 Linear Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged in four series: Series 1: Biographical materials and personal papers; Series 2: Book Manuscript materials; Series 3: Musical compositions; and Series 4: Sound recordings.

Date Acquired: 00/00/1990

Forms of Material: Gospel music

Abstract

Papers, dated circa 1960–1990, including biographical materials, correspondence, musical compositions and the manuscript for an unpublished book entitled “Black Gospel Music: A History and Performance Practice,” with some research materials used in the work.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Most of the personal papers date from Furman’s years at Western Connecticut State University. The correspondence includes a series of letters concerning AAMOA (the Afro-American Music Opportunities Association) and a few letters from gospel artists, particularly Beverly Glenn. A speech, “My Development as a Composer” and notes on some of his compositions may be of particular interest.

The manuscript versions of the book on gospel were received in no discernible order. The decision was made to arrange them in the order indicated by the chapter outline prepared for interested publishers. Most chapters have typed versions with corrections, and handwritten drafts; in some cases there are also miscellaneous fragments filed separately at the end of the chapter. Miscellaneous notes and fragments that could not be placed easily in any chapter are filed at the end of the series. A file on gospel performers contains both Furman’s stylistic analysis of certain performers, particularly Andrae Crouch and Mahalia Jackson, and also some questionnaires filled out by musicians. Along with the unsorted manuscript materials, three typescript versions of the book were also received. All are slightly different. The probable definitive version is bound in a looseleaf notebook with tabs indicating the chapters. Miscellaneous papers laid in to the front and back of this notebook have been removed to folders in Box 2 to ensure their preservation. His insights on performance practice may be of interest to researchers.

The musical works consist mainly of photocopies of manuscripts, some original manuscripts, and parts prepared by the composer for performances of his works. Two boxes contain duplicate choral parts to his I Have a Dream, which was never published. The score and instrumental parts are present in the collection although the string parts are lacking. A folder of published music is also included.

Collection Historical Note

James Furman was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1937. He earned a bachelor's degree in music and a master's degree in music education from the University of Louisville. After teaching for serval years in public schools, in 1965 he joined the faculty of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut, where he remained until his death in 1989. He published several choral and chamber compositiona and had performances of others that remain unpublised, particularly his oratorio "I Have a Dream."

Biographical Note

James Furman was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1938. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in music education from the University of Louisville. After teaching for several years in public schools, in 1965 he joined the faculty of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut, where he remained until his death. He published several choral and chamber compositions and had major performances of others that remain unpublished, particularly his oratorio I Have a Dream. A complete biography can be found in Eileen Southern’s Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1982).

Administrative Information

Repository: Center for Black Music Research

Alternate Extent Statement: 8 linear feet (10 Boxes, 2 volumes)

Access Restrictions: None

Use Restrictions: None

Physical Access Note: Includes manuscript scores, scores, reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes tapes, videotapes

Acquisition Source: Dominique-Rene de Lerma and Ruth Lanham

Finding Aid Revision History: Minor finding aid edits by Adam Melville, March 6, 2018.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical materials and personal papers],
[Series 2: Book Manuscript Materials],
[Series 3: Musical compositions],
[Series 4: Sound Recordings],
[All]

Series 1: Biographical materials and personal papers

Box 1

Folder 1: Photos, programs (1960-1989), clippings (1965-1974), and correspondence (1967-1990)

Box 7

Folder 2: Symposium on Aaron Copland held at Western Connecticut State University

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical materials and personal papers],
[Series 2: Book Manuscript Materials],
[Series 3: Musical compositions],
[Series 4: Sound Recordings],
[All]