Eric Stokes papers
Scope and Content Note
The collection contains audio recordings, business records and correspondence, programs, program notes, clippings, composition materials and scores. The majority of materials is split between scores and recordings. Correspondence consists primarily of professional correspondence between Stokes and George Sturm, his agent, and correspondence between commissioning artists and ensembles.
Dates
- Creation: 1957-2001
Language of Materials
English
Language of Materials
English
Restrictions on Access
The collection is open and available for use by researchers in the Andersen Library Reading Room.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright is retained by the copyright holder.
Biographical Information
Composer Eric Stokes (1930-1999) was born just outside of Philadelphia in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. Stokes was involved in music from a young age and continued his studies at Lawrence College in Wisconsin, graduating in 1952. He obtained his Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory in 1956 following two years in the Army. Several years later Stokes began his doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota. After completeing his doctoral degree, Stokes' went on to teach at the University of Minnesota for the next 29 years, retiring in 1988.
It was during Eric Stokes' time at the University of Minnesota that he was most prolific as a composer. He composed more than eighty works including operas, chamber music, orchestral, and choral works. Stokes' compositions were premiered by several high-profile music ensembles in Minnesota, such as the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Minnesota Opera Company, Zeitgeist, and the Dale Warland Singers.
Eric Stokes is the founder of Horspfal Music Concern, his publishing company and main vehicle for distributing his compositions. The name is taken from the name from the first opera Stokes' composed, Horspfal. Stokes' music was eclectic in style, but frequently drew on nature and poetry for inspiration. After the composer's death, the Eric Stokes Fund, "Earth's Best in Tune." was created. Administered by the American Composers Forum in Saint Paul, the Eric Stokes Fund provides grants to emerging artists interested in Stokes' music and/or ecologically-conscious music.
Extent
33 Linear Feet (29 boxes)
Abstract
The collection contains the professional correspondence, programs, program notes, recordings, composition materials and scores of composer Eric Stokes.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into the following five series:
- Administrative
- Audio/Visual
- Compositions
- Correspondence
- Publications
Physical Location
High Bay
Acquisition
The collection was donated to the Performing Arts Archives by Cynthia Stokes. Accruals have occured on an annual basis since the collection was first established in 2009.
Processing Information
The collection was processed and the finding aid written by Kathryn Hujda, 2015, with generous support from Creative Heritage Initiative donors.
Subject
- Stokes, Eric, 1930-1999 (Person)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Eric Stokes papers PA091
- Author
- Kathryn Hujda
- Date
- February 2105
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Performing Arts Archives Collecting Area