Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Gordon Playman papers
- Dates:
- 1947-2002
- Creators:
- Playman, Gordon
- Abstract:
- Papers of composer Gordon Playman.
- Extent:
- 17.84 Linear Feet (1 document box, 19 oversize flat boxes)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Gordon Playman papers, PA Mss 59. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection contains a number of Playman's scores in various stages of production. Also present are small amounts of research files, correspondence, and clippings.
Materials related to his compositions may include manuscript scores, research files, correspondence, clippings, and recordings. Playman wrote several large-scale orchestral works, including four symphonies, all of which were performed.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Gordon Playman (January 29, 1922-November 4, 2002) was born in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin and, after the family moved in 1925, grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1940, he entered the University of Minnesota but left in 1942 after being recruited into the U.S. Naval Aviation program. He trained in Jacksonville, Florida, and Santa Barbara and El Toro, Californiam, and in February 1945 he was sent to serve in the Marine Corps as a torpedo bomber pilot in the South Pacific.
After World War II ended and he returned to the United States, Playman resumed his study of English literature and music composition at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1947. That same year, he won a John Hancock Composition Scholarship to Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts where he studied with Arthur Honegger, Aaron Copland, and Samuel Barber.
In 1948 he joined the FBI as a special agent, a position he held for 24 years. After retiring in 1972, he moved to Southern California, where he devoted his time to composing. His works include: four symphonies, a clarinet concertino, a ballet score, two essays, a set of variations for orchestra, as well as pieces for string orchestras, solo voice, choral groups and chamber groups.
- Acquisition information:
- Donated by Wendy Gonzalez, October 2004.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged by topic into the five series:
- Series 1: Musical scores
- Series 2: Sound recordings
- Series 3: Research files
- Series 4: Correspondence
- Series 5: Clippings
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-06-11 15:15:15 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and may be retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.
All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@library.ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or their assignees for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Gordon Playman papers, PA Mss 59. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
- Location of this collection:
-
UC Santa Barbara LibrarySanta Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
- Contact:
- (805) 893-3062