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Nee (Thomas) Papers
MSS 0609
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Table of contents
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Thomas Nee Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0609
Physical Description:
1 Linear feet
(3 archives boxes and 1 oversize box)
Date (inclusive): 1946-2001
Abstract: The papers of Thomas Nee, conductor and University of California, San Diego emeritus professor of music, include correspondence
and biographical materials related to his fifty years of classical and experimental music conducting.
Thomas Nee Papers, MSS 609. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Acquired 2003, 2010.
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Scope and Content of Collection
The papers of Thomas Nee, conductor and emeritus professor of music, contains
correspondence from twentieth century composers including university mentor Ernst Krenek, as well as composers Henry Brant,
Robert Erickson, Dika Newlin, Will Ogden, Pauline Oliveros, Bernard Rands, Roger Reynolds, and Dane Rudhyar. The papers also
also contains biographical materials, including programs and newsclippings, reflecting his conducting career from 1948-2001,
writings, and audio visual materials. The recorded materials represent concerts Nee conducted during his career. The collection
is arranged in four series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE, 2) CONDUCTING EXPERIENCE, 3) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, and 4) AUDIO VISUAL RECORDINGS.
Born in Evanston, Illinois on Oct. 25, 1920, Thomas Nee graduated from the University of Minnesota. Following service in the
Merchant Marine during World War II, he received his masters of arts from Hamline University, where he studied under composer
Ernst Krenek. His postgraduate work included studies at the University of Vienna, the Austrian State Academy, and Black Mountain
College with composer Stefan Wolpe in North Carolina, as well as private study with conductor Hermann Scherchen in Switzerland.
Nee was music director for the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis from 1954-1967 and 1972-1973.
In 1967, Nee joined the UCSD Music Department, accepted the position of conductor, taught music, and served as department
chair from 1971-1977. He also conducted SONOR, a resident ensemble that performed experimental music by UCSD composers. In
addition to conducting the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus during the academic year, he also conducted the New Hampshire Music
Festival during the summer months from 1960-1992. Nee conducted world premieres of contemporary repertoire and numerous guest
engagements including opera workshops, festivals, the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Eastman Philharmonic,
Rochester Philharmonic, and Darmstadt Ferienkurse.
Nee retired from UCSD in 1991, but remained active until his death in 2008, overseeing the Tom Nee Commission, awarded each
year to a graduate-level composer whose new piece is performed each spring by La Jolla Symphony & Chorus.
The audio and visual recordings in Box 3, Folders 1-3 are restricted and require a user copy to be produced.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Music -- 20th century
Composers -- Correspondence
Ogdon, Will, 1921-2013 -- Correspondence
Oliveros, Pauline, 1932-2016 -- Correspondence
Rands, Bernard -- Correspondence
Krenek, Ernst, 1900-1991 -- Correspondence
Partch, Harry, 1901-1974 -- Correspondence
Nee, Thomas -- Archives
Erickson, Robert, 1917-1997 -- Correspondence
Reynolds, Roger, 1934- -- Correspondence
Cage, John -- Correspondence
Rudhyar, Dane, 1895-1985 -- Correspondence