Finding Aid for Michael Cameron Music and Papers, ca. 1938-2019 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Kelda Habing and Nolan Vallier

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Collection Overview

Title: Michael Cameron Music and Papers, ca. 1938-2019

ID: 12/5/79

Primary Creator: Michael Cameron (1959-2022)

Extent: 11.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: Organized into five series: Series 1. Educational Materials ( ca. 1977-2004), arranged by type (syllabi, listening lists, teaching plans, recruitment) and then chronologically; Series 2. Administrative (ca. 1993-2018), arranged by committee and then chronologically; Series 3: Performances, Research, and Service (ca. 1989-2019), arranged by type (programs and fliers, reviews, publications, recording contracts, professional organizations) and then chronologically; Series 4: Published and Original Music (ca. 1938-2014), arranged in five subseries and then alphabetically by composer's surname; Series 5: Sound Recordings, arranged in two sub-series of Cameron's personal recordings and course listening lists for MUS 437 and MUS 560; and Series 6: Personal Papers.

Date Acquired: 05/19/2021. More info below under Accruals.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of educational materials such as syllabi and listening lists, performance programs and fliers, correspondence, meeting minutes, music and scores, and audio recordings which were used by Michael Cameron during his time as a tenured faculty member and bassist in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's School of Music.

Biographical Note

Michael Cameron (1959-2022) was born in Utica, New York. A bassist, educator, and writer, Cameron graduated in 1981 from Indiana University with a Bachelor's of Music, and from the same institution in 1982 with a Master's of Music. While there, he studied with Murray Grodner, Barry Green, and Stuart Sankey. He began his teaching career at West Texas State University in 1982, before transitioning to Baylor University in 1983. In 1985, he joined the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's School of Music String Division as professor of double bass. During his time at the University of Illinois, he taught several classes (MUS 437 and MUS 560) in addition to his bass studio, served on many School of Music and university committees, and served several tenures as head of the string division. He served as principal bass both of the Sinfonia da Camera and of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. Cameron played in the Ciosoni (Esperanto for "all sounds") trio alongside clarinetist Paul Martin Zonn and later Eric Mandat, and flutist Tim Lane. The group was known for its unusual instrumentation and the technical expertise of its members, performing interpretations of known works as well as works written for the trio.

Cameron published many articles with the Chicago Tribune, especially concert reviews, and with the American String Teachers Association and Bass World. He was a member of the International Society of Bassists. His performance history includes many world premieres and American premieres for bass, as well as works dedicated to or commissioned by him. His repertoire varied widely, and included works in both classical and modern styles. Cameron began the company BassScores.com which published works specifically for the double bass, many of which were arranged or edited by Cameron. Cameron was featured on or appeared in multiple published recordings, including "Progression," "Sound Bites," "Canto: Music for Double Bass by Thomas Frederickson," "Teresa LeVelle: The Shadowlands," "Uncommon Voices," and "Exhortations: Virtuoso Solo Instrumental and Chamber Music."

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: An addition of music was provided by Renata Soares Caceres on November 14, 2022.

Access Restrictions: None.

Acquisition Source: Theresa Cameron, sister, for Michael Cameron

Acquisition Method: Gift

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Educational Materials, 1977-2004],
[Series 2: Administrative, 1993-2018],
[Series 3: Performances, Research and Service, 1989-2019],
[Series 4: Published and Original Music],
[Series 5: Sound Recordings, 1949-2010],
[Series 6: Personal Papers, 1990-2008],
[All]

Series 5: Sound Recordings, 1949-2010

Contains Michael Cameron's sound recordings, separated into two sub-series. Sub-Series 1: Personal Recordings includes Cameron's published and unpublished recordings in which he is either a featured performer or performs amongst other musicians. Sub-Series 2: Course Listening Lists includes listening lists from the courses MUS 437 and MUS 560 which Cameron taught. Formats include CD, cassette tape, VHS tape, and reels.

Sub-Series 1: Personal Recordings, 1949-2010

Contains Michael Cameron's published and unpublished recordings. Published recordings include CDs which feauture Cameron as a performer ("Sound Bites" and "Progression") as well as recordings which feature Cameron alongside other musicians ("Teresa LeVelle: The Shadowlands," Uncommon Voices," and "Sound Bites"). Unpublished recordings include recordings of faculty recitals, edits and pre-masters of recordings, and sessions in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Great Hall. Items are arranged by featured composer's surname or the surname of the first composer listed on the track list.

Box 15

Item 1: Bach 8/1/01, 2001
Item 2: Bach - 5th, Perle, Gubaidulina, undated: 51. Bach 5th Suite Sarabande. 64. Bourree, Gigue. 73(?) Perle. 82 Perle.
Item 3: Bach - Suite #2, D minor, undated: Prelude, Sarabande, Courante
Item 4: Progression, 1996: Bach, J.S. Suite No. 4 in E Flat Major, BWV 1010 1. Prelude 2. Allemande 3. Courante 4. Sarabande 5. Bourree 6. Gigue; Hindemith, Paul. Sonata for Double Bass and Piano. 7. Allegretto 8. Scherzo-Allegro assai 9. Molto Adagio; 10. Johnston, Ben. Progression.; 11. Segall, Allan J. Fantasy for Double Bass and Piano. [Allan J. Segall, piano]; 12. Shostakovitch, Dmitri. Night. Performers: Michael Cameron, double bass; Ian Hobson, piano. Recorded in Foellinger Great Hall, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
Item 5: Bass Class Recital, undated
Item 6: Sound Bites, 1949-1997: Michael Cameron, double bass. 1. Berio, Luciano. Psy (1989); 2. Martirano, Salvatore. UIUC & Jest fa Laffs (1991). Trio and computer music system. Performers: Tim Lane, flute; Eric Mandat, clarinet); 3. Henze, Hans Warner. Serenade (1949). (except); 4. Cameron/Feller. Gumshoe (1997). Performer: Ross Feller, alto saxophone; 5. Bussotti, Sylvano. Sensitivo (1950); 6. Walleye. Take 4. (1997). Performers: Steve Butters, percussion; Jeremy Ruthrauff, saxophones; Charles Lipp, bassoon; Erik Lund, trombone; 7. Bohn, David. Bagatelle No. 2 (1997); 8. Hindemith, Paul. Sonata (1949). (excerpt). Performer: Ian Hobson, piano; 9. Kagel, Mauricio. General Bass (1971). Performer: David Bohn, organ; 10. Scelsi, Giacinto. Le reveil profond (1986). (excerpt); 11. Wolff, Christian. Dark as a Dungeon (1977). (excerpt). Performer: Erik Lund, trombone; 12. Childs, Barney. Toccata (1985); 13. Segall, Allan J. Fantasy (1990). (excerpt). Performer: Allan J. Segall, piano; 14. Morton, Jelly Roll (arr. Cameron). Buddy Bolden's Blues (1920); 15. Gubaidulina, Sofia. Sonata (1974). (excerpt). Performer: Rudolf Haken, piano; 16. Walleye. Take 6A (1997); 17. Tenney, James. Beast (1971). (excerpt); 18. Donatoni, Franco. Lem (1973). (excerpt)l 19. Cameron, Michael. Bhunnu (1997); 20. Scelsi, Giacinto. Maknongan (1979). (excerpt); 21. Walleye. Take 12 (1997); 22. Johnston, Ben. Progression (1995). (excerpt); 23. Baker, Claude. Omaggi e Fantasie (1984). (exceprt). Performer: David Liptak, piano; 24. Cage, John. 59 1/2 Seconds for a String Player (1952); 25. Skempton, Howard. Recessional (1983). Performer: David Bohn, organ.
Item 7: Bruin Session Michael Cameron Ruff Mix, 1998
Item 8: Cage. Michael Cameron, undated
Item 9: John Cage Ryonajii, undated: Michael Cameron - double bass
Item 10: Michael Cameron, Bass, 1997
Item 11: Michael Cameron Edit/Premaster, 1997: 1:00 Recessional, 8:21 Cage, 10:01 Bohn, 11:47 Busotti, 13:36 Bhunnu
Item 12: Michael Cameron, double bass. Witteiles, harpsichord, 1998
Item 13: Michael Cameron (MB), 2000
Item 14: Faculty Recital M. Cameron double bass, 2000
Item 15: Michael Cameron, 2010
Item 16: Hunter Cappoccioni Faculty Recital, 2007
Item 17: Chicago Bass Festival, undated
Item 18: Bass Piece Patric Cohen, undated
Item 19: Donatoni, etc. MC - 3, undated
Item 20: The Enescu End, undated
Item 21: Canto Thomas Frederickson Music for Double Bass, 2010: Michael Cameron, double bass.
Item 22: Frederickson Duo, undated
Item 23: LeVelle - Appartitions at Timber Creek, undated
Item 24: Teresa LeVelle The Shadowlands, 2006: 1. The White Buffalo Performers Danilo Lozano, flute; 2. Ignis Fatuus Performer: Alexander Ezerman, cello; 3. Kanza Performers: Danilo Lozano, flute; David Dees, soprano saxophone; Alexander Ezerman, cello; 4. Apparition at Timber Creek Performers: Ann Yeung, harp; Michael Cameron, double bass; 5. The Aliens of Los Angeles Performers: Carol Stephenson, soprano; Theresa Dimond, percussion; Stephen Cook, piano; 6. Epitaph Performer: Mark Menzies, violin; The Shadowlands 7. I 8. II 9. III Performers: David Dees, soprano saxophone; John Gilbert, violin I; Stephanie Ezerman, violin II; Setareh Beheshti, viola; Alexander Ezerman, cello.
Item 25: Uncommon Voices, 2007: 1. Levy, Burt. Orbs with Flute (1966). Performer: Liza Goethe-McGinn, flute; 2-6. Yannay, Yehuda. Piano Trio (2001). I Bagatelle II Tempus fugit? III Adagio Sostinato IV Late Night Cafe Insomnia V La Musique Impossible Performers: Bernard Zinck, violin; Anna Ruth Bermudez, cello; Eun-Joo Kwak, pianoforte; 7-9. Johnston, Ben. Duo for Flute and String Bass (1963). I Prelude II Interim III Flight Performers: Lisa Goethe-McGinn, flute; Michael Cameron, contrabass; 10-13. Martirano, Salvatore. Phleu for Amplified Flute and YahaSALmaMAC MIDI Orchestra (1988). I phee II phlie III phoo IV phum Performer: Lisa Goeth-McGinn, flute; 14-16. Levy, Burt. Chamber Music for Violin Solos (2000-2004). I Voices II Collage III Vectors Performer: Bernard Zinck, violin; 17. Yannay, Yehuda. Marrakesh Bop for Flute and Guitar (1999). Performers: Lisa Goethe-McGInn, flute; Paul Bowman, guitar; 18. Levy, Burt. Throughput with Piano Trio (2005). Performers: Robert Riggs, violin; Susan Gaston, cello; Stacy Rodgers, piano
Item 26: descent, debris, debrief, undated: Erik Lund. M. Cameron, double bass.
Item 27: MC - 1 3/17, undated
Item 28: MC - 5/13/97, 1997
Item 29: MC 050199 A, 1999
Item 30: MC 050199 B, 1999
Item 31: MC 100199 Simpson, 1999
Item 32: Michael/Natalia 3-5-99, 1999
Item 33: Joshua Penman "Beyond the Translucent Veil", undated
Item 34: Allan J. Segall, 2002-2004: 1. House Glass - for Harpsichord and Tape Performer: Annelie de Man, harpsichord; 2. Crossings - for piano Performer: Kimball Huigens, piano; 3. Cross Relationships - for flute quartet Performers: Het Netherlands Fluitkwartet; 4. Partita for D. Bass and Piano Performers: Michael Cameron, double bass; Andrew E. Simpson, piano.
Item 35: Alex Shapiro, 2001: "Of Bow and Touch" for Double Bass and Piano
Item 36: MC 10497, 1997
Item 37: Christopher Preissing Electronic Music, undated

Box 16

Item 1: A. Simpson, 1997
Item 2: Exhortations Virtuoso Solo Instrumental and Chamber Music, 1998: Simpson, Andrew Earle. 1. Summer-Night Songs (1994, rev. 1997). Performers: Robert Faub, soprano saxophone; Jessica Stuchy-Pilalis, harp; 2. Exhortation I (1996). Performer: Robert Faub, alto saxophone; 3. Exhortation II (1996-97). Performer: Nancy Ambrose-King, oboe; 4. Exhortation III (1996). Performer: Michael Cameron, double bass; Chamber Concerto (1992). 5. Fast, driving 6. Slowly tranquil 7. Fast Performers: Kenneth Andrew, flute; Alan Woy, clarinet; John Lindsey, violin; Mathias Wexler, cello; Andrew Simpson, piano; Mark Puma, percussion; James Petercsak, conductor.
Item 3: Tango of Death Back Up, undated
Item 4: Wolf, Tenney, Henze, 1997: Wolff Dark as a Dungeon 1-24 Wolf. 25 Improv - bass + trombone. 26. Improv. 27. Improv. - gliss. good. 28. Improv - loud, aggressove. 29 + 30. Tenney I.
Item 5: Wolf - Dark as a Dungeon, undated

Box 17

Item 1: Michael Cameron Reel 1 of 1, undated
Item 2: Faculty Recital Michael Cameron - Double Bass Reel 1 of 3, 1986
Item 3: Faculty Recital Michael Cameron - Double Bass Reel 2 of 3, 1986
Item 4: Michael Cameron Reel 1 of 2, 1987
Item 5: Michael Cameron Reel 2 of 2, 1987
Item 6: Cameron (Guest) 1/2, 1989
Item 7: Cameron (Guest) 2/2, 1989
Item 8: Reel to Michael Cameron from Bob Grat, undated
Item 9: Ciosoni Recording Session Original, 1991
Item 10: Double Bass Technique with Jeff Bradetich, 1994: Personal note addressed to Michael Cameron on front of case.
Item 11: Michael Cameron Alan Segall Session, 1995
Item 12: Michael Cameron Audio Cassettes, 1995: Two audio cassettes with recording notes.
Item 13: The North Suburban Symphony of Lake Forest, 1997: Allan Dennis, Music Director. Verdi, La Forza del Destino Overture. Botticini, Concerto for Double Bass, Michael Cameron Double Bass. Schubert, Symphony No. 4.
Item 14: MC Digital Audio Tapes, 1997

Sub-Series 2: Course Listening Lists, undated

Contains Michael Cameron's listening lists for the School of Music courses MUS 437 and MUS 560. Many listening lists specify a composer (Bach, Schubert, Webern, etc) or a time period "Turn of the Century Chamber Music, 20th Century String Literature). Items are arranged by course and then by the number of the listening list (1, 2, 3, etc...).

Box 16

Item 6: Listening List #1, Tapes 1+2, undated: Staszellcka Renesans
Item 7: String Literature Listening List #2, undated
Item 8: String Literature Listening 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, undated
Item 9: MUS 437 - LL3-1, 2, 3 H-K-O
Item 10: MUS 437 LL 4 - 1, 2, 3 (Pro. Cameron), undated
Item 11: String Literature Listening CD: Bartok String Quartets, undated: 1. String Quartet No. 1: mvt. 3--Introduzione-Allegro Vivace. 2. String Quartet No. 2: mvt. 2--Allegro molto capriccioso. 3. String Quartet No. 3: mvt.2--Seconda parte, Allegro. 4. String Quartet No. 4: mvt. 2--Prestissimo, con sordino. 5. String Quartet No. 5: mvt. 2--Adagio molto. 6. String Quartet No. 6: mvt. 4--Mesto
Item 12: String Literature Listenings, undated: 1. Enescu: SQ No. 1 in Eb Major, Op. 22 mvt. 2: Andante. 2. Enescu: SQ No. 2 in G Major, Op. 22 mvt. 3: Allegretto. 3. Janacek: String Quartet No. 1 mvt. 3: Con moto vivo. 4. Janacek: String Quartet No. 2 mvt. 1: Andante. 5. Szymanowski: SQ No. 1, Op. 37 mvt. 2: Andantino, Adagio. 6. Szymanowski: SQ No. 2, Op. 56 mvt. 2: Vivace
Item 13: Bach M437 Listening List #2, undated
Item 14: String Literature 437 CD 2 Ludwig Van Beethoven The String Quartets, undated: 1-5. Op. 132. Performers: Cleveland Quartet. 6. Op. 133, Grosse Fugue. Performers: Emerson String Quartet.
Item 15: MUS 437 Listening List 3-2, undated
Item 16: String Literature CD 3 Lisa Nelson, undated
Item 17: String Literature 437 CD 3 Franz Schubert Chamber Music, undated: 1. String Quartet in G Minor, D. ???. 2. String Quartet in A minor, D. 804. 3. Cello Quintet in C major, D. 956. 4. Quintet for Piano & Strings in A Major, The Trout. 5-6. Fantasy for Violin & Piano in C Major, D. 934. Performers: Cherubini QUartet, Alban Berg Quartet, Joseph Szigeti
Item 18: String Literature CD 3 Listening List #4, undated
Item 19: MUS 437 Listening List 4-1, original (H-K-O), undated
Item 20: String Literature CD 3 #4, undated
Item 21: String Literature 437 CD 4 Felix Mendelssohn Chamber Music, undated: 1-2. Quartet in A minor, Op. 13. 3. Octet in Eb major, Op. 20. 4-5. Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 66. 6. Cello Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 58. 7. Spohr: Grand Nonetoo in F major, Op. 31. Performers: Cleveland Quartet/Meliora Quartet, Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, Lynn Harrell $ Bruno Canino, Ensemble Wien-Berlin
Item 22: String Literature 437 CD 4 Felix Mendelssohn Chamber Music, undated: 1-2. Quartet in A minor, Op. 13. 3. Octet in Eb major, Op 20. 4-5. Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 66. 6. Cello Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 58. 7. Spohr: Grand Nonetto in F major, Op. 31. Performers: Cleveland Quartet/Meliora Quartet, Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, Lynn Harrell & Bruno Canino, Ensemble Wien Berlin
Item 23: String Literature 437 CD 5 Robert Schumann Music for Strings, undated: 1. Sonata for Violin & Piano in A minor, Op. 105. 2. Piano Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 47. 3-4. Piano Quintet in Eb Major, Op. 44. 5-6. String Quartet in A Major, Op 41, no. 3. 7. Violin Concerto in D minor. 8. Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129. Performers: Gidon Kremer/Martha Argerich, Cleveland Quartet & Emanual Ax, Emerson String Quartet, Georg Kulenkampff & Natalia Gutman
Item 24: String Literature 437 CD 5 Robert Schumann Music for Strings, undated: 1. Sonata for Violin & Piano in A minor, Op. 105. 2. Piano Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 47. 3-4. Piano Quintet in Eb Major, Op. 44. 5-6. String Quartet in A Major, Op. 41, no. 3. 7. Violin Concerto in D minor. 8. Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129. Performers: Gidon Kremer/Martha Argerich, Cleveland Quartet & Emanuel Ax, Emerson String Quartet, Georg Kulenkampff & Natalia Gutman
Item 25: String Literature 437 CD 6 Johannes Brahms Music for Strings, undated: 1. Piano Trio in B Major, Op. 8. 2. Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34. 3. String Sextet in G Major, Op. 36. 4. Cello Sonata in E minor, Op. 38. 5. Piano Quartet in A major, Op. 26. 6-7. String Quartet in C minor, Op. 51 #1. Performers: Beaux Arts Trio, Amadeus Quartet, Jacqueline Du Pre, Borodin Quartet, Emerson String Quartet
Item 26: String Literature 437 CD 7 Brahms/Dvorak Chamber Music, undated: 1. Violin Sonata in A Major, Op. 100. 2. Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 101. 3-4. String Quintet (viola) in G major, Op. 111. 5. Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115. 6. Viola Sonata in F minor, Op. 120. 7. String Sextet in A major, Op. 48. 8. String Quartet in G Major, Op. 106. Performers: Jaime Laredo, Beaux Arts Trio, Chamber Music Northwest, Budapest String Quartet, Pinky Zukerman, St. Martin-in-the-Field, Das Alban Berg Quartet
Item 27: String Literature 437 CD 7 Brahms/Dvorak Chamber Music, undated: 1. Violin Sonata in A Major, Op. 100. 2. Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 101. 3-4. String Quintet (viola) in G major, Op. 111. 5. Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115. 6. Viola Sonata in F minor, Op. 120. 7. String Sextet in A major, Op. 48. 8. String Quartet in G major, Op. 106. Performers: Jaime Laredo, Beaux Arts Trio, Chamber Music Northwest, Budapest String Quartet, Pinky Zukerman, St. Martin-in-the-Field, Das Alban Berg Quartet
Item 28: String Literature 437 CD 8 Turn of the Century Chamber Music, undated: 1. Borodin: String Quartet No. 2 D Major I. Allrego moderato. 2. Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A minor II. Tema con Variazione. 3. Taneyev: Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 22 I. Allegro. 4. Faure: Piano Quartet #1 in C minor, Op. 15 III. Adagio. 5. Reger: Sereande for FLute, Viola and Violin in G Major, Op. 141 I Vivace. 6. Elgar: Quartet, op. 83 I Allegro moderato.
Item 29: String Literature MUS 437 CD 9 Debussy, Ravel, Bridge, Schoenberg, undated: 1-2. Debussy: Quartet in G minor I. Anime et tres decide. II. Assez vif et bien rythme. 3. Debussy: Sonata for Violin and Piano II Intermede. 4-5. Ravel: String Quartet in F Major I. Allegro moderato. III Tres lent. 6. Bridge: Phantasie Trio, C minor I. Allegro moderato. 7-8. Schoenberg: String Quartet No. 2 op. 10 I. Massig IV. Entrauckung Sehr Langsam. 9-10. Schoenberg: String Quartet No. 4, op. 37 I. Allegro molto: Energico. III. Largo.
Item 30: String Literature 437 CD 10 Webern, Berg, Hindemith, undated: 1. Webern: Six Bagatelles Op. 9. 2. Berg: String Quartet Op. 3. 3, 4, 5. Berg: Lyric Suite. 6. Hindemith: Viola Sonata. Performers: Kronos Quartet, Adritti String Quartet, Kim Kashkashian.
Item 31: String Literature 437 CD 11 Bela Bartok, undated: String Quartet No. 3
Item 32: String Literature 437 CD 12 20th Century String Literature, undated: 1&2. Stravinksy. Three Pieces for String Quartet. 3. Violin Concerto in D 1: Toccata. 4. Ives. String Quartet # 2 II Arguements. 5. Cage. Six Melodies for Violin and Piano I. 6. Carter. String Quartet No. 2 III: Cadenza for Viola. 7. Babbitt. Sextets. 8. Britten. Suite for Cello, Opo. 72 II: Fuga: Andante moderato. 9. Prokofiev. Overture on Hebrew Themes.
Item 33: M560 II Haydn 1.1, undated
Item 34: M560 Haydn Quartets, undated
Item 35: M560 Mozart 2, undated
Item 36: M560 Schoenberg, Berg, Webern, undated