Guide to the Florence Underwood Collection, 1905-1988

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Underwood, Florence White, 1906-1988
Abstract:
The Underwood collection consists primarily of Florence Underwood's written music and research conducted to write the music. In addition, scrapbooks, personal and legal papers make up a portion of the collection.
Extent:
9.08 linear feet
Language:
English, Unidentified Asian language
Preferred citation:

Florence Underwood Collection, Stanford University, Music Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The Florence Underwood Collection is comprised of materials donated in two parts. Florence Underwood donated materials relating to the composition There's a Land, and her son, Robert Underwood, donated the rest of the materials on February 25th, 2008. The manuscripts are made up of original and photocopied scores, parts and arrangements written, arranged or edited by Florence Underwood. A smaller selection of sheet music features other composers' works. Materials related to the research of Underwood's compositions include original source materials, photocopies of reference texts, correspondence, handwritten notes and typed stage directions. Underwood maintained scrapbooks consisting of newspaper clippings, programs, greeting cards and photographs. Her professional and personal life is documented through correspondence and legal paperwork.

Biographical / historical:

Florence Underwood was born Florence White on August 27th, 1906 in North Dakota. She married Lloyd Underwood in 1926. They had one son, Robert Underwood. She and her family moved from Portland, Oregon to the San Francisco Bay area, and lived in San Mateo County. She studied with Darius Milhaud at Mills College in the 1940s. In February of 1953, her composition "The Hopi Indian Legend" was premiered by the San Diego Philharmonic Orchestra. Werner Janssen conducted. Several of her compositions were performed by local orchestras, and she also composed original music for amateur theater groups in the San Francisco Bay and Portland areas. She taught piano and composition privately and at Multnomah College in Portland. In addition to her music career, Underwood also worked in public relations at the College of Notre Dame and had her own lapidary business in Belmont, California. She died June 27th, 1988.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into six series: I. Florence Underwood Music Manuscripts. II. Research. III. Scrapbooks. Subseries I: Scrapbook I. Subseries II: Scrapbook II. Subseries III: Scrapbook III. Subseries IV: Collected Items. Subseries V: Oversized Photocopies of Newsclippings. IV. Correspondence V. Legal and Personal Papers. VI. Sheet Music.

Physical location:
Stanford Music Library, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94305-3076
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. May be used on site only.

Terms of access:

Open for research; material must be requested at least two business days in advance of intended use. Contact the Music Library for assistance.

Preferred citation:

Florence Underwood Collection, Stanford University, Music Library.

Location of this collection:
Stanford Music Library, Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3076, US
Contact:
650-723-1212
muslibref@stanford.edu
Website