Franklin E. Morris Papers, 1933-2010

Summary

Creator:
Morris, Franklin E., 1920-2018.
Abstract:
The papers of American composer Franklin E. Morris
Extent:
36 boxes, 71 films, and 4 wrapped packages (approximately 36.50 linear feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Franklin E. Morris Papers,

Background

Scope and content:

The Franklin E. Morris Papers documents his life and work as a musician. His papers contain films, cassettes, lantern slides, CDs, original music scores, compositions, and memorabilia.

Films are images of avant-garde and abstract art that were used in part at his multimedia performances. Morris used a numbering system for his films, and those numbers have been retained. A handful of films were unnumbered, and appear at the end of the inventory.

The rest of the collection is unprocessed, and not open to researchers.

Biographical / historical:

Franklin E. Morris (1920-2018) was an American composer and Syracuse University professor. Morris received a bachelor degree in chemistry from Ursinus College and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from MIT. As well as degrees in chemistry, he also studied music and composition at Cape Cod Institute of Music, Harvard University, and Yale University. In 1951 Morris started teaching music theory and composition at Syracuse University, a position he held until 1985.

While in Syracuse, Morris was actively involved in the local music scene. He organized annual recitals of solo and chamber works; composed and produced operas; and performed with the Syracuse Symphony. He also founded and directed the Electronic Studio of the School of Music at Syracuse University from 1966 to 1985. He had a particular interest in electronic music, and in 1976 started writing a long series of electronic symphonies. At his death, he had completed more than one thousand electronic symphonies. Additionally, he was interested in the intersection of electronic music and visual and dramatic arts, and presented many multi-media events at Syracuse University and other colleges across the Northeast.

Acquisition information:
Franklin Morris donated these materials to the University Archives between 1979 and 2017. The last donation was after his death in 2018.
Processing information:

Only the films have been processed in this collection. Other materials have not been processed.

Arrangement:

Films are arranged in numerical order. Films without numbers appear at the end of the inventory, and are arranged alphabetically by title.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Access to audiovisual media requires advance notice to produce a listening copy.

Only films have been processed. Unprocessed materials are closed to researchers.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Franklin E. Morris Papers,

Location of this collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Bird Library, Room 600
Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
315.443.2697
scrc@syr.edu