Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Leland C. Smith Papers
- Dates:
- 1955-1991
- Creators:
- Smith, Leland, 1925-
- Extent:
- 7.5 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], Leland C. Smith Papers (SC1539). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This collection consists of research files, correspondence, sheet music, and audiovisual material.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Leland Clayton Smith (1925-2014) was a Stanford Professor Emeritus of Music. Smith was a co-founder of the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) alongside John Chowning.
He began composing in 1938 and first studied with Darius Milhaud at age 15. He did some dance band work and then served in a Navy band (and combo) for two and a half years. He studied with Roger Sessions in Berkeley, where he served as his assistant, and received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of California in 1948. He attended the Paris Conservatory from 1948-1949 and returned to California in 1950. Smith played the bassoon and clarinet with the San Francisco Opera and Symphony. His first teaching position was at Mills College from 1951-1952, then at the University of Chicago for six years. He also played with the Chicago Opera and Symphony.
After returning to California in 1958, Smith taught composition and theory in Stanford's Department of Music. As a skilled programmer, he made lasting contributions to music's digital age with his music input system, music typesetting research and computer music. SCORE, his music notation input program, was the first program of its kind and is considered today's quality standard.
- Acquisition information:
- Administrative transfer, Music Library, 2020.
- Physical location:
- Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged three business days in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: https://library.stanford.edu/libraries/special-collections.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-10-27 13:49:12 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Partial restrictions apply. Materials in box 1A related to proposal submissions are restricted for 75 years after date of creation and may be made available in 2050. Otherwise, materials are open for research use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
- Terms of access:
-
While Stanford University is the owner of the physical and/or digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Except materials in the public domain, any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the rightsholders, heir(s), or assigns. For more information, see: https://library.stanford.edu/special-collections-policies
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], Leland C. Smith Papers (SC1539). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Stanford University Archives, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6064, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022