{"value"=>"<p>This series (4.4 lin. ft.) is composed of lyrics, scripts, poetry and sheet music, along with printed materials such as programs and newspaper clippings related to performers and performances. It is divided into three subseries according to the creator of the works.</p> <p>The Margaret Bonds subseries (1.6 lin. ft.) provides insight into Bonds' creative life and musical process. A significant portion of the subseries is comprised of her scores, arranged alphabetically by title, including compositions with both words and music, as well as her arrangements of songs. Within the sheet music is a folder of fragments and notes for piano lessons and a handwritten copy of the score for \"Midtown Affair.\" Of interest is a composition notebook where Bonds lists her goals as pianist, composer and teacher, and six music composition books with hand written exercises and scales, and notation of spirituals and popular songs, such as \"Didn't It Rain\", \"Deep River\" and \"Dancing on the Ceiling.\" A collection of handwritten, typed or printed lyrics composed or arranged by Bonds, along with scripts for her production \"The New Kid\" and \"Midtown Affair\" are included. In addition, there is a scrapbook with various newspaper clippings about her, and her students and associates, the Allied Arts Academy (Bonds' music school in Chicago), and performance programs, several featuring Bonds accompanying singer Etta Moten. There are several press releases about presentations given by Bonds, and a handwritten copy of her lecture for the Quest Club that discusses a variety of composers and sheds light on her own musical influences.</p> <p>The Collaboration with Langston Hughes subseries (1.0 lin. ft.) holds some of the most notable works of her career. Correspondence between Bonds and Hughes discusses publishing issues, lyrics to be set to music, the travels and events they were planning or attended. The correspondence consists primarily of postcards, telegrams, short handwritten notes and greeting cards. There is also a small collection of postcards and notes to Bonds from George Houston Bass (Langston Hughes' secretary and literary assistant from 1959-1964). Copies of the librettos \"Mister Jazz,\" \"Port Town,\" and music cues for Ask Your Mama, along with poems and possible lyrics written by Hughes are addressed to Bonds for her consideration to set them to music. Of special interest is a typed copy of Shakespeare in Harlem with handwritten notes about the music and chord progressions written next to the text. The subseries contains two columns written for the \"Chicago Defender\" by Hughes, \"Young Artists Do Not Live by Praise Alone\" and \"National Association of Negro Musicians has Great Heritage\" with handwritten note thanking Bonds for her help. Several newspaper clippings and printed programs featuring Hughes, and a ticket to a show called \"Music and Poetry of the Negro\" with Hughes as narrator and Margaret Bonds as pianist are part of the subseries. Handwritten sheet music featuring poems by Hughes and music by Bonds is arranged alphabetically by title.</p> <p>The Creative Works by Others subseries (2.2 lin. ft.) contains sheet music, scores, lyrics, poetry and scripts written by other composers. Highlights of this subseries are handwritten, bound copies of \"The Griffin\" by David Hughes, \"Eight Inventions for Piano\" (1946) by Ulysses Kay (published as the \"Four Inventions for Piano\", with four parts remaining unpublished), \"Thumbnail Sketches of a Day in the Life of a Washerwoman\" by Florence B. Price, and manuscript sheet music for \"A Quiet Afternoon – Nine Piano Pieces\" and \"Second Sonata for Piano\" by Bonds' student and Pulitzer Prize winner Ned Rorem. In addition, there is a typed copy of Countée Cullen's \"Heritage\" and a printed copy of \"Mary, Mother of Christ\" autographed by Countée Cullen. Sheet music is arranged alphabetically by composer and by title. A small collection of practice sheet music by some notable composers: Harry T. Burleigh, Hall Johnson and Florence B. Price are from the \"Estella C. Bonds Collection.\" The printed materials in this subseries include performance programs of others performing Margaret Bonds' songs and newspaper clippings about other artists.</p>"}