Scope and arrangement
The Helene Hipkins scores date from 1935 to 1942. They hold published sheet music, manuscripts, and sketches and lyrics for unfinished songs.
Published songs include I Miss You (1935); Beyond The Sunset, Thoughts On The Wing, Camel Bells, and On Sunday Morn (1937); Start Tootin' Your Own Horn (1939); The Road To Paradise (1940); An Easter Hallelujah (1941); and Out Of The Depths (1942). Most are for piano and voice. Some of the religious songs contain arrangements for choir created by the publishers. The published sheet music also holds manuscripts for the songs. The first folder of published songs holds a biography of Hipkins written by her daughter, Helen, as well as a listing of songs in the collection.
The manuscripts hold over 40 unpublished songs. They are in two divisions: those with final piano arrangements, and those without arrangements. Some of the manuscripts may have been written by Charles Reid, who co-wrote the music, lyrics and arrangements for many of Hipkins' songs.
The unfinished sketches and lyrics contain material for around 10 songs. The sketches contain no lyrics, and some have only melodies. Most of the lyrics are hand-written, and were probably authored by Hipkins.
Arrangement
The scores are in three divisions: published songs, manuscripts, and unfinished sketches and lyrics. The manuscripts have two subdivisions, with piano arrangements and without.