Local Composers Collection
Finding aid created by San Diego Public Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Diego Public Library
2021
330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 238-6668
speccoll@sandiego.gov
https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/
Title: Local Composers Collection
Dates: 1902-1981
Collection Number: MS.015
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 0.5 linear ft.
Repository:
San Diego Public Library
San Diego, California 92101
Abstract: This is a collection of printed sheet music and original musical manuscripts collected by Bonita resident Lee Whitney. She
was an actress, dancer, voice and stage teacher. Referred to as the “Prima Donna of Great Waltz” the soprano performed opera
and concerts in France and throughout the United States. The collection holds materials from 1902-1990. Some materials are
un-dated. There is little obvious that ties the contents together except that the composers represented have varied relationships
to music in Southern California and were notable in their era. They worked in the region as composers, teachers, songwriters,
and in the film industry.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
San Diego Public Library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claims
of the copyright holder. Permission to copy or publish any portion of San Diego Public Library's collection must be given
by the San Diego Public Library.
Local Composers Collection. San Diego Public Library
Scope and Content of Collection
This is a collection of printed sheet music and original musical manuscripts collected by Bonita resident Lee Whitney. She
was an actress, dancer, voice and stage teacher. Referred to as the “Prima Donna of Great Waltz” the soprano performed opera
and concerts in France and throughout the United States. She returned to San Diego County and worked through the 1940s from
Thearle Music Store in downtown San Diego.
The collection holds materials from 1902-1990. Some materials are un-dated. There is little obvious that ties the contents
together except that the composers represented have varied relationships to music in Southern California and were notable
in their era. They worked in the region as composers, teachers, songwriters, and in the film industry. Some were affiliated
with cultural venues like the Hollywood Bowl (Charles Wakefield Cadman), the Old Globe Theater (Conrad Susa), the Spreckles
organ (Humphrey Stewart) and the El Cortez Hotel (Madalyn Akers Phillips). Others were nationally acclaimed mavericks. Carrie
Jacobs Bond was the first female composer to sell over a million copies of her sheet music. Constance Mills Herreshoff was
the longtime music critic for several San Diego newspapers. Dorinda Morgan was the first to produce a recording by the Beach
Boys. There is a large collection of the self-published work of the obscure Thelma Hester Jones, and material by the actor
and author Harrison Dowd.
A wide range of music is represented. Lyrics are in English, French, Italian, Latin and Spanish. There are religious songs
included masses, carols, and one written for the rededication of the Mission San Diego. There are the poems of Edna St. Vincent
Millay, A. E. Houseman and Robert Hillyer set to music, patriotic songs, novelty songs, film scores and love songs.
The first part of the collection is copyrighted printed scores and photocopies. The second part of the collection is original
manuscripts, most un-dated. The last section is multiple copies of printed scores.