Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Guide to the James Adair papers, 1936-1973
MSS 2002/20
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: James Adair papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 2002/20
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
30.0 Linear feet
(58 flat boxes & 7 oversize boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1936-1973
Abstract: Contains correspondence, programs, and musical scores pertaining to James Adair, a faculty member at Sacramento State who
worked in the Department of Music.
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce
from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives.
Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, The Library,
California State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the
copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
James Adair (1909-1999), Professor of Music, Emeritus, came to California State University, Sacramento in September 1949 as
Assistant Professor of Music. The University (then known as Sacramento State College) was new, with a faculty of 49 and a
student enrollment of 830. Adair, with Frederick Westphal and Elizabeth May as the other members of the music faculty, started
classes in Counterpoint and Composition, organized the chorus, Orchestra, Opera Workshop, and classes in Music Listening.
Subsequently, for many years, he conducted the orchestra, Little Symphony, chamber music program, and in the last ten years,
to 1975, devoted his time primarily to Counterpoint, Composition, and Orchestration.
Starting his career as a violinist, he played in the Denver Symphony (1924-27), St. Louis Symphony (1929-31), Chicago Little
Symphony (1937-33), and the Rochester Philharmonic (1947-49). He taught at Stephens College from 1933-47 with time out to
serve in World War II (1942-46).
Degrees include the BM degree, violin major, from the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago, MM from the Kansas City Conservatory
of Music, and two years study on the doctor degree at Eastman School of Music, Composition major, 1947-49.
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2002/20, James Adair papers, Department of Special Collections
and University Archives, The Library, California State University, Sacramento.
Documentation was accumulated by James Adair and subsequently donated to the University Library in 2002.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Dontated to the CSUS University Library in 2002 by James Adair.
Arrangement scheme by Heather McCummins.
No additions are expected.
Collection is arranged in 12 series: Collection Information, Personal Papers, Orchestral Music, Vocal Music, Chamber Music,
Solos, Band Music, Ballet/Dance Music, Holiday Music, Miscellaneous Music, Other Composers/Writers, and Photographs.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Adair, James
Grainger, Percy, 1882-1961
Composition (Music)
Music.
Sheet music.