- physdesc
-
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"11 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"16 boxes, 2 oversized", "unit"=>"containers"}], "supress_display"=>true}
- unitid
-
{"value"=>"JPB 06-67", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"20394", "type"=>"local_mss"}
- unitdate
-
{"value"=>"1947-1982", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1947/1982"}
- date_inclusive_start
-
1947
- date_inclusive_end
-
1982
- keydate
-
1947
- unittitle
-
{"value"=>"John Watts papers"}
- repository
-
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.</span> <span class=\"subarea\">Music Division.</span> <div class=\"address\"><span class=\"addressline\">New York, New York</span></div>"}
- abstract
-
{"value"=>"The John Watts Papers span the years 1947-1982 and contain scores, correspondence, teaching materials, writings and photographs pertaining to the career of this noted composer."}
- prefercite
-
{"value"=>"<p> John Watts Papers, JPB 06-67. Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.</p>"}
- origination
-
{"value"=>"Watts, John, 1930-1982", "type"=>"persname"}
- bioghist
-
{"value"=>"<p> John Watts was born July 16th, 1930. He received his BA from the University of Tennessee, his Masters in Musicology from the University of Colorado and completed doctoral studies at the University of Illinois and Cornell University. Some of his teachers included Cecil Effinger, Roy Harris, John Krueger, Robert Palmer, Burrill Phillips and David Van Vactor. In 1950 Watts entered military service and served for two years as a clarinetist, dance band pianist and arranger in the 75th and 179th Army Bands, Special Services. After this he taught briefly at the Army-Navy Music School in Washington, DC. During this time he married his first wife, Mary. He held many teaching positions over the years including posts at the University of Colorado, North Dakota State College, International Institute of Music, Puerto Rico, and Staten Island Community College. He was also the editor of the Manhattan East newspaper, a graphic designer and a free lance writer. In the fall of 1964, Watts founded the Composers Theatre, and in 1966 he became the president of its parent organization, the Composers and Choreographers Theatre. In 1969 he became a member of the faculty at the New School for Social Research in New York. Watts was the director of the ARP Electronic Music Program, and the Music Workshops coordinator. During this time Watts met and married his second wife, Laura Foreman. Over the years Watts produced over 100 compositions in all forms, primarily chamber music and dance scores. He also had an interest in children’s theater. Starting in 1969 Watts began to incorporate electronic elements into his compositions, and became an adept ARP synthesizer soloist. His works and performances helped to popularize the electronic synthesizer as a musical instrument. John Watts died on July 2, 1982 at the age of 52.</p>"}
- scopecontent
-
{"value"=>"<p> The John Watts Papers contain documents from 1947 to 1981 and cover the professional musical career of the composer, John Watts. The correspondence includes letters between Watts and his friends and colleagues, as well as letters between Watts and his first wife, Helen. The grant materials contain applications for various federal and private grant programs, not only for personal work but on behalf of the Composers Theater as well. Watt’s teaching materials include class lists, flyers, grades and other materials pertaining to the Composers Theater, as well as handwritten lecture notes. The writings consist of papers Watts completed for various publications, as well as research for several of his compositions. The collection is primarily scores and includes many of Watts compositions, both published and unpublished, as well as sketches and drafts. Of special note are the “environmental” scores, collages created by Watts and meant to be played intuitively by instrumentalists. With the exception of the correspondence, the collection is lacking in materials of a personal nature.</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The John Watts papers are arranged in six series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/20394#c605242'>Series I: Correspondence</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1950-1975</div>\n</li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/20394#c605252'>Series II: Grant Materials</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1969-1976</div>\n</li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/20394#c605271'>Series III: Teaching Materials</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1969-1975</div>\n</li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/20394#c605286'>Series IV: Writings and Research</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1953-1976</div>\n</li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/20394#c605293'>Series V: Photographs</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1971</div>\n</li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/20394#c605302'>Series VI: Scores</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1949-1981</div>\n</li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}
- arrangement
-
{"supress_display"=>true}
- userestrict
-
{"value"=>"<p>For permission to publish, contact the Chief, Music Division.</p>"}
- processinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Processed by Lea Jordan; Machine-readable finding aid created by Lea Jordan.</p>"}
- extent_statement
-
11 linear feet (16 boxes, 2 oversized)
- date_start
-
1947
- date_end
-
1982