Finding Aid for William DeFotis Papers, 1953-2004 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

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Collection Overview

Title: William DeFotis Papers, 1953-2004

ID: 26/20/124

Primary Creator: DeFotis, William (1953-2003)

Extent: 4.9 cubic feet

Arrangement:

Materials are arranged in four series, which are as follows:

Series 1) Personal Papers, is unrranged.

Series 2) Music, is arranged in two sub-series: sub-series 1) Original Compositions and sub-series 2) Orchestrations of Bach Fugues.

Series 3) Audio and Audio Visual Recordings, is arranged in three sub-series: sub-series 1) Audio Recordings of Original Compositions, sub-series 2) Audio Recordings of Performance Ensembles, and sub-series 3) Films of Performance Ensembles.

and Series 4) Research and Correspondence, which is arranged in three sub-series: sub-series 1) Research Files, Publications, Lectures, and Notes; sub-series 2) Tenure Documents; and sub-series 3) Correspondence.

Date Acquired: 07/24/2003. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Alumni, Baylor University, Brün, Herbert (1918-2000), Composers, Compositions-Music, Computer Music, Films, Gaburo, Kenneth (1926-1993), Music Composition, Vocal music, William and Mary, College of

Formats/Genres: Concert Programs, Experimental Music, Papers, Scrapbooks, Sheet music, Sound Recordings, Video recordings

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of publications, correspondence, original scores and arrangements, concert programs, audio and video recordings of William DeFotis' compositions and performances, and scrapbooks, documenting the career of alumnus and composer William DeFotis. Major correspondents include: Steven Blum, William Brooks, Herbert Brün, Constance DeFotis, Kenneth Gaburo, Perry Goldstein, Walter Levin, Allen Otte and Percussion Group Cincinnati, and Steve Whiting.

Biographical Note

William DeFotis (1953-2003) was born in Chicago, Illinois. He studied music composition with Herbert Brün, Ben Johnston, and Morgan Powell at the University of Illinois, earning his Bachelor's of Music (1975) and his Master's of Music (1977) at Illinois. In 1977 he traveled to German on a Fulbright grant to study with composer and musicologist Wolf Rosenberg. During this period, he toured with Musica Negativa, playing clarinet. Upon his return DeFotis attended the University of Iowa, earning a DMA in conducting. From 1983 to 1985, he taught composition and orchestra at Baylor University and from 1986 to 1996 he taught at the College of William and Mary.

DeFotis's compositions have been performed by the LaSalle Quartet, Percussion Group Cincinnati, Opus One, the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory Philharmonia, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. DeFotis took medical retirement in 1996, after which he composed and recorded more than a dozen songs for the album Satire is Serious Business, which was released by Centaur Records. DeFotis died due to complications from multiple sclerosis in 2003.

Subject/Index Terms

Alumni
Baylor University
Brün, Herbert (1918-2000)
Composers
Compositions-Music
Computer Music
Films
Gaburo, Kenneth (1926-1993)
Music Composition
Vocal music
William and Mary, College of

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: Memorial CDs and posthumous score releases were acquired sometime during 2004.

Acquisition Source: Estate of William DeFotis

Other Note: 9 Pages

PDF Box/Folder List

URL: https://files.archon.library.illinois.edu/uasfa/2620124.pdf

PDF finding aid for William DeFotis Papers (26/20/124)

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal Papers, 1953-2003],
[Series 2: Music, 1971-1998],
[Series 3: Audio and Audio Visual Recordings, 1975-2004],
[Series 4: Research and Correspondence, 1973-1998],
[All]

Series 1: Personal Papers, 1953-2003

Consists of CV, Divorce documents, Scrapbooks, and Diaries. Materials are unarranged.

Box 1

Folder 1: Curriculum Vitae, 1988-2003
Folder 2: Divorce Decree, 1987
Folder 3: Scrapbook Album, 1953-1980: Contains birth certificate, elementary school report cards, high school and university grade records, school and university diplomas, newspaper clippings concerning activities and performances, adjudication rating sheets, certificates and honors, concert and recital programs and music for Gabrielle's Fantasies.

Box 2

Folder 1: Scrapbook Album, 1980-2003: Contains programs, reviews, news clippings, driver's license, passport, death certificate, and memorial serivce program.
Folder 2: Diary: "European Travel and Notes on Compositions and Performance", 1977-1978: Written between June 7, 1977 and March 8, 1978.
Folder 3: Diary: "Composition, Rehearsal, Performance", 1977-1978

Series 2: Music, 1971-1998

Consists of orginal scores and arrangements by William DeFotis. Materials are arranged in two sub-series: sub-series 1) Original Compositions and sub-series 2) Arrangements and Orchestrations.

Sub-Series 1: Original Compositions, 1971-1998: Consists of original scores by William DeFotis, including notes about compositions, sketches, drafts, and translations of texts for songs. Materials are arranged chronologically.
Sub-Series 2: Orchestrations of Bach Fugues, 1991-1997: Consists of score orchestrations of Bach Fugues by William DeFotis. Materials are arranged chronologically.

Series 3: Audio and Audio Visual Recordings, 1975-2004

Consists of Reel to Reel tapes, DAT tapes, Cassette Tapes, CDs, and VHS Tapes, documenting original works by Defotis and performance ensembles that Defotis played in or conducted. Materials are arranged in three sub-series: sub-series 1) Audio Recordings of Original Music, sub-series 2) Audio Recordings of Performance Ensembles, and sub-series 3) Films of Performance Ensembles.

Sub-Series 1: Audio Recordings of Original Music, 1975-2004: Consists of Reel to Reel Tapes, DAT cassettes, tape cassettes, and CDs. Materials are arranged by media type. Reel to Reel Tapes and CDs are arranged chronologically. DAT Tapes and Cassette Tapes are arranged alphabetically.
Sub-Series 2: Audio Recordings of Performance Ensembles, 1973-1985: Consists of Reel to Reel Tapes, DAT Tapes, and Cassette Tapes, documenting performance ensembles that Defotis played in or conducted. Materials are arranged by media type and alphabetically by subject or composer last name therein.
Sub-Series 3: Films of Performance Ensembles, undated: Consists of VHS tapes, documenting performance ensembles that DeFotis played in or conducted. Materials are unarranged.

Series 4: Research and Correspondence, 1973-1998

Sub-Series 1: Research Files, Publications, Lectures, and Notes, 1975-1998: Consists of Dissertation, Articles by DeFotis, Lectures by Defotis, Essays, and Research Notes, documenting DeFotis's career as an academic and music theorist. Materials are arranged chronologically by subject.
Sub-Series 2: Tenure Documents, 1981-1991: Consists of Tenure application documents. Materials are organized by section number for the tenure application.
Sub-Series 3: Correspondence, 1973-1998: Consists of correspondence, documenting DeFotis's career as a student, composer, and academic. Materials are organized by category and then by subject.