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

Title: William DeFotis Papers, 1953-2004

ID: 26/20/124

Primary Creator: DeFotis, William (1953-2003)

Extent: 5.3 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) Translations and Orchestrations by DeFotis.

Series 3) Audio and Audio Visual Recordings, is arranged in two sub-series: sub-series 1) Audio Recordings and sub-series 2) Films.

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), Clarinet, Composers, Compositions-Music, Computer Music, Conductors (Music), Films, Fulbright Awards, Gaburo, Kenneth (1926-1993), Music Composition, University of Iowa, Vocal music, William and Mary, College of

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

Languages: English

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.

William "Bill" George DeFotis (1953-2003) was born in Chicago, Illinois. DeFotis graduated from Elk Grove High Schol (Elk Grove, IL), where he began composing and playing clarinet. Following this, 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). In 1977 he traveled to Germany on a Fulbright grant to study with composer and musicologist Wolf Rosenberg. During this period, he toured with Musica Negativa, playing clarinet throughout Germany. Upon his return to the United States, 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 conducting, composition, and a course in women's studies 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. He 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.

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

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