Joan Franks Williams papers, 1944-1995

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Williams, Joan Franks
Title
Joan Franks Williams papers
Dates
1944-1995 (inclusive)
Quantity
14.31 cubic feet (31 boxes) including 57 sound cassettes, 20 sound tape reels, 1 videoreel, 5 compact discs
Collection Number
5250 (Accession No. 5250-001)
Summary
Materials related to Joan Franks Williams' music compositions and programs. Williams was a composer in Seattle and Israel
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users, but access to portions of the papers restricted. Contact repository for details.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Joan Franks Williams was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 1, 1930. After earning her Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in 1952, she completed her Master's degree in 1961 at the Manhattan School of Music. She married Irving Williams in 1954; the family moved to Seattle in 1962. In 1971, the Williams family moved to Tel-Aviv, where she worked at Kol Israel Radio and produced an annual concert series at the Tel-Aviv Museum. During this time, Williams also composed over thirty pieces, primarily chamber music, including Frogs (1974), Rudolph Heinemann in Bonn (1978), and Leah (1986). The family returned to Seattle in 1988, where Williams worked to introduce modern music to Seattle audiences through New Dimensions in Music, a nonprofit organization she founded. Williams died of complications from Parkinson's disease on January 30, 2003.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

List of Williams' compositions (1955-1992), music manuscripts, notebooks, Early Education programs, correspondence, publications, cassette tapes, CDs, and reel-to-reel audiotapes, primarily of Joan Franks Williams compositions. New Dimensions in Music materials including programs, posters, articles and clippings, tax and financial documents, and other administrative and board documents.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Some restrictions exist on copying, quotation or publication. Contact Repository for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 9 series.

  • Biography
  • Music Manuscripts and Related Materials
  • Recordings
  • Programs
  • Organizations and Conferences
  • Teaching/Instruction
  • Articles
  • Correspondence
  • Miscellaneous

Acquisition Information

Donated by Irving Williams between 2001 and 2014.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Series 1:  BiographyReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Biography/CV
1948-2003
1/2
Diplomas/Awards
Undated
1/3
Student Materials
Undated
1/4
Student Materials
Undated
1/5
Grant Applications
Undated
1/5
Music and Art Books (2)
Undated
1/5
Score
1949
Box
2
Score
1951-1952
2
Additional Biographical Materials

Series 2:  Music Manuscripts and Related MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/1-2
Music Prior to 1957
Box/Folder
3/1
Rondo for Violin & Piano
undated
3/1
Once By the Pacific
undated
3/1
Theme & Variations for String Orchestra
undated
3/1
Sur Ce Jour L'Amour
undated
3/1
Perpetual Motion
undated
3/1
Sonata for Violin & Piano
undated
3/1
Sonatina for English Horn & Piano
undated
3/2
Piano Pieces for Judy
1955
3/2
The Prince's Gift
1955
3/2
String Quartet #1
1958-1959
3/3
Variations on a Theme by Peri
1958
3/4
A Tale of Two Cities
1959
3/5
A Tale of Two Cities (Woodwinds)
1959
3/6
A Tale of Two Cities (Brass)
1959
4/1
A Tale of Two Cities (Percussion, Harp)
1959
4/2
A Tale of Two Cities (Violins)
1959
4/3
A Tale of Two Cities (Viola, Cello, Harp)
1959
4/4
A Tale of Two Cities (Related Materials)
1959
box:oversize
19
Oversized: A Tale of Two Cities
1959
Box/Folder
4/5
Three Miniature for Flute and Piano
1959
4/6
Three Songs from Sonnets of the Portuguese
1959
4/7
Symphony
1959-1960
5/1
Symphony
1959-1960
5/2
Three Movements for 10 Instruments
1960
5/3
Chamber Piece for Ten Instruments
1960-1961
5/4
The Betrayal
1960-1961
5/5
The Betrayal (Woodwinds)
1960-1961
6/1
The Betrayal (Brass, Percussion)
1960-1961
6/2
The Betrayal (Harp, Violin)
1960-1961
6/3
The Betrayal (Viola, Cello, Bass, Viol)
1960-1961
6/4
The Betrayal (Related Material)
Undated
box:oversize
19
Oversized: The Betrayal
Undated
Box/Folder
6/5-7
Theme and Variations for Violin, Oboe, Horn, and Cello
1962
7/1
Three Miniatures for Piano
1963
7/2
Composition for Piano
1964
7/3-5
String Quartet
1965
8/1
Concert Piece for Solo Violin
1966
8/2
Await the Wind
1966
8/3
Incidental Music for the Trojan Women
1966
8/4-5
Continuum
1967
8/6
Etudes from Moscow, Idaho
1968
8/7
From Paterson
1968
9/1
Haiku for Flute, Cello, and Percussion
1969
box:oversize
19
Seattle Public School Concert Piece for Trumpet, Clarinet, Cello, and Percussion
1968
Box/Folder
9/2-4
Cassandra
1969
10/1-2
Cassandra
1969
10/3
Film Music for Protection of Animal Welfare Services (PAWS)
1970-1971
10/4
In Celebration
1971
Box
10
Haiku for Orchestra
1972
Box/Folder
11/1-4
Frogs
1973-1974
12/1
Frogs
1973-1974
12/2
Due for Solo Cello and Piano
1975
12/3-6
Samson the Hero
1975
13/1
Samson the Hero
1975
13/2
Et tu Brute
1976
13/3-5
Intensities
1976
14/1-2
Intensities
1976
14/3-4
In the Fashion We Have Invented for One Another
1977
14/5
If Stones Send Up Their Whiteness
1978
14/6
Rudolph Hienemann in Bonn
1978-1979
14/7
Sevens for Octet
1979
15/1
Compostion for Violin and Piano
1979
15/2
Willie and die Fledermaus
1979-1980
15/3
Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Waltz
1980
15/4
Two Songs and Interlude
1981-1982
15/5
For Henry Moore's Elephant Skull Etchings
1982-1983
16/1
For Henry Moore's Elephant Skull Etchings
1982-1983
16/2
The Blue-eyed Lion
1983
16/3-4
From Song of Songs
1983-1984
16/5-6
Gulliver's Travels
undated
17/1-3
Gulliver's Travels
1984-1985; undated
17/4
Ceremonies
1983-1984
18/1-2
Ceremonies
1983-1984
18/3
Leah
1984
18/4
Homage to Louise Nevelson
1987
18/5
Gulliver in Lilliput
1987
18/6
Fanfaria
1988
18/7
Hildaness
1991
19/1
Piece for Paul
1991
19/2
Frogs Revisited
1992
19/3
Frogs Revisited
1992
19/4
Songs, Not Dated
Box/Folder
19/4
Come Slowly Eden
undated
19/4
A Bird Came Down the Walk
undated
19/4
The Littlest Angel
undated
19/4
Intreat Me Not to Leave Thee
undated
19/4
Desert Places
undated
19/4
Three Songs from Robert Frost
undated
19/5
Duets, Not Dated
Box/Folder
19/5
Sonatina
undated
19/5
Theme and Variations
undated
19/6
Not Dated
Symphonic Sketches
undated
Piece for Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon
undated
Piano Solo
undated
Piano Solo
undated
Cello Solo
undated
String Quartet
undated
Mildred
undated
19/7
Piece for Percussion
Undated
19/8
Transcriptions
Undated
19/9
Unidentified Songs
Undated
20/1
Unidentified Duets
Undated
20/2
Unidentified Trios
Undated
20/3
Unidentified Quartets
Undated
20/4
Possible Solo Sketches
Undated
20/5
Unidentified Orchestral Sketches
Undated
21/1
Unidentified Sketches
Undated
21/2
Unidentified Sketches
Undated
21/3
Unidentified Sketches
Undated
21/4
Unidentified Sketches
Undated
Box
22
Miscellaneous Sketchbooks
Undated
23
Oversized Materials
Undated

Series 3:  RecordingsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
24
Cassettes
Undated
Box
24
Tape 1-Analysis of Cassandra
undated
24
Tape 2-Ceremonies
undated
24
Tape 3-Ceremonies
undated
24
Tape 4-Frogs
Tel Aviv Background
undated
24
Tape 5-Frogs
undated
24
Tape 6-From Song of Songs
University of Washington Contemporary Group: Emilie Berendsen, voice; Felix Skowrenek, flute; Steve Novacek, guitar
1988-11-14
24
Tape 7-From Song of Songs
University of Washington Contemporary Group: Emilie Berendsen, voice; Felix Skowrenek, flute; Steve Novacek, guitar
undated
24
Tape 8-From Song of Songs
1986-03-13
24
Tape 9-From Song of Songs
undated
24
Tape 10-From Song of Songs
Emilie Berendreu, mezzo soprano; Wendy Kashi, flute; Orly Lavanne, guitar
1985-06-24
24
Tape 11-Gulliver's Travels Rehearsal
undated
24
Tape 12-Gulliver's Travels
American Wind Symphony Orchestra; R. Boudreau, cond.; Ronald Rogers, narrator
1985-05-03
24
Tape 13-Gulliver's Travels World Premier
1985-05-17
24
Tape 14-Gulliver's Travels Rehearsal
1985-05-15
24
Tape 15-From Song of Songs
Outdoor Concert
1991-04-09
24
Tape 16-Gulliver's Travels
American Wind Symphony Orchestra in Burlington, IA
1985-05-20
24
Tape 17-Gulliver's Travels
Burlington, IA
1985-06-24
24
Tape 18-Gulliver's Travels
American Wind Symphony Orchestra; Robert Boudreau, cond.
undated
24
Tape 19-Conversations about Gulliver's Travels
Premier Trip Discussion
undated
24
Tape 20-Hildaness
Collegium Program
1990-05-21
24
Tape 21-Hildaness
undated
24
Tape 22-Homage to Louise Nevelson
Early ideas
undated
24
Tapes 23-26-Homage to Louise Nevelson
undated
24
Tape 27-Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Waltz
WCF Concert
1990-04-16
24
Tape 28-Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Waltz
Roger Nelson, piano; Jeff Domoto, trombone; Susan Kohler, clarinet; Phyllis Allport, cello
undated
24
Tape 29-In the Fashion We Have Invented for One Another
undated
24
Tape 30-Intensities
undated
24
Tape 31-Lea Goldberg
undated
24
Tapes 32-33-Lecture at University of Tel Aviv
undated
24
Tape 34-New Dimensions in Music Concert
1971-02-21
24
Tape 35-Piano and Violin Piece
Rehearsal, Eddie K.
undated
24
Tape 36-Piano and Violin Piece
Concert, 3rd St. Settlement
undated
24
Tape 37-Rudolph Hienemann in Bonn
Stuart Dempster, trombone
undated
24
Tape 38-Shimshon Hagibor
undated
24
Tape 39-Viola da Gamba Demo
undated
24
Tape 40-Collected Works
Includes Homage to Louise Nevelson, Frogs, and Recitativo/Aia e Burlesca by Sergei Slonimsky
undated
24
Tape 41-Collection of Pieces
Includes Gulliver's Travels and Ceremonies
undated
24
Tape 42-Collection of Pieces
Includes For Henry Moore's Elephant Skull Etchings and Frogs
undated
24
Tape 43-Collection of Pieces
Includes Frogs, If Stones Send Up Their Whiteness, and Ceremonies
undated
24
Tape 44-Collection of Pieces
Includes If Stones Send Up Their Whiteness, Frogs, and Ceremonies
undated
25
Tape 45-Collection of Pieces
Includes Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Waltz and Hildaness
undated
25
Tape 46-Collection of Pieces
Includes For Henry Moore's Elephant Skull Etchings and Frogs
undated
25
Tape 47-Collection of Pieces
Includes Ceremonies and In the Fashion We Have Invented for One Another
undated
25
Tape 48-Collection of Pieces
Includes Shimshon and Willie and die Fledermaus
undated
25
Tape 49-Collection of Pieces
Includes For Henry Moore's Elephant Skull Etchings and In the Fashion We Have Invented for One Another
undated
25
Tape 50-Collection of Pieces
Includes If Stones Send Up Their Whiteness, Frogs, and Ceremonies
undated
25
Tape 51-Collection of Pieces
Includes In the Fashion We Have Invented for One Another and Rudolph Hienemann in Bonn
undated
25
Tape 52-Retrospective
Includes Fanfaria, Hildaness, Gulliver in Lilliput, Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Waltz, Leah, Rudolph Hienemann in Bonn, Homage to Louise Nevelson, Duo for Cello Solo, and Frogs Revisited
1992-04-06
25
Tape 53-Restrospective
1992-04-06
25
Tape 54-Other Recordings
The Blind Fiddler, Peter Maxwell Davies (comp.); Orkney Festival
1978
25
Tapes 55-57-Unknown
Possibly New Dimension in Music Concert
undated
Reels
Box
26
Reel 1- Cassandra
undated
26
Reel 2- RHenry Moore's Elephant Skull Etchings
undated
26
Reel 3- Frogs
Emilie Berendsen, mezzo soprano; Israel Chamber Orchestra, Joan Franks Williams, cond.
undated
26
Reel 4- Frogs
undated
26
Reel 5- If Stones Send Up Their Whiteness
undated
26
Reel 6- Collection of Pieces
Includes Frogs and Intensities
undated
26
Reel 7- Collection of Pieces
Includes Concert Piece for Solo Violin, Await the Wind, and Composition in Three Movements for Violin and Piano
undated
26
Reel 8- Collection of Pieces
Includes From Paterson, Concert Piece for Solo Violin, Await the Wind, and Composition for Violin and Piano
undated
26
Reel 9- Collection of Pieces
Includes Concert Piece for Solo Violin, Await the Wind, and Composition in Three Movements for Violin and Piano
undated
26
Reel 10- Shapey Lesson
1962-03-03
26
Reel 11- Shapey Lesson
1962-04-03
26
Reel 12- Shapey Lesson
1962-04-10
26
Reel 13- Shapey Lesson
1962-05-10
26
Reel 14- Shapey Lesson
1962-06-09
26
Reel 15- Shapey Lesson
1963-03
26
Reel 16- Shapey Lesson
1963-03-15
26
Reel 17- Shapey Lesson
1963-03-29
26
Reel 18- Shapey Lesson
undated
26
Reel 19- Interview with Williams and Morton Subotnik
undated
26
Reel 20 and slides- Mavena
Composed by Ivo Malec
1967-09-28
Film
Box
26
60mm Film: Cassandra
Undated
CDs
Box
26
CD1 - Jacob Gilboa
Conducted by Joan Franks Williams
1995
26
CD 2 - A Retrospective of Music by Joan Franks Williams
Includes Hildaness, Gulliver in Lilliput, Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Waltz, Leah, Fanfaria, Rudolph Heineman in Bonn, Homage to Lousie Nevelson, Duo for Cello Solo, and Frogs Revisited
4/6/1992
26
CD 3 - A Retrospective of Music by Joan Franks Williams (Rough Edit)
Includes Hildaness, Gulliver in Lilliput, Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Waltz, Leah, Fanfaria, Rudolph Heineman in Bonn, Homage to Lousie Nevelson, Duo for Cello Solo, and Frogs Revisited
4/6/1992
26
CD 4- Joan Franks Williams Celebration--Disk 1
Undated
26
CD 5 - Joan Franks Williams Celebration--Disk 2
Undated

Series 4:  ProgramsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
27/1
Programs - Concerts of her music or concerts that she performed in
1949-1979
27/2
Concerts of her music or concerts that she performed in
1980-1989
27/3
Concerts of her music or concerts that she performed in
1990-1995; Undated
27/4
ISCM
1980
28/1-4
New Dimensions in Music
1962-1985
28/5
New Dimensions in Music
Undated

Series 5:  Organizations and ConferencesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
29/1
American Composers Alliance/American Wind Symphony Orchestra
Undated
29/2
Composers Forum
Undated
29/3
International League of Women Composers
Undated
29/4
International Society for Contemporary Music
Undated
29/5
International Women's Music Festival
Undated
29/6
Jewish Music Conference
Undated
29/7
New Dimensions in Music Newsletters
Undated
29/8-9
New Dimensions in Music
Undated

Series 6:  Teaching/InstructionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
29/10
University of Tel Aviv
Spring 1985
29/11
Miscellaneous Teaching Materials
Undated

Series 7:  ArticlesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
29/12-13
Articles
1960-1993
29/14
Articles
Undated
29/15
In Hebrew
Undated

Series 8:  CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
29/16-25
Correspondence
1948-2006
29/26
Correspondence
Undated

Series 9:  MiscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
30/1
Photographs
Undated
30/2
Speeches
Undated
30/3
Program Notes and Agenda
Undated
30/4
Interviews
Undated
30/5
Budgets, Contracts, etc.
Undated
30/6
Competition Judging Records
Undated
30/7
Handwritten Notes
Undated
30/8
Handwritten Notes
Undated
30/9
Unidentified Hebrew Documents
Undated
30/10
Unidentified Hebrew Documents
Undated
30/11
Unidentified Hebrew Documents
Undated
30/12
Miscellaneous Texts - Pandora
Commissioned by Port Townsend Summer School of the Arts
1967
30/12
Miscellaneous Texts - Gertrude
Hjalmar Söderberg, author; Raymond Jarvi, trans.
1906; 1968
30/12
Miscellaneous Texts - The King of Cats
Eleanor Keats, author
Undated
30/13-14
Miscellaneous Texts - Guiteau
James Neyland, author
Undated
30/15
Miscellaneous Texts - Unidentified
Undated
30/15
"Examining the Composer--Audience Gap in Contemporary Music"
Dr. Leland A. Lillehaug; The Augustana College Association
1969-06-08
31
Posters - New Dimensions in Music event posters
1985

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Composers--Israel
  • Composers--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Williams, Joan Franks--Archives

Corporate Names

  • New Dimensions in Music (Organization : Seattle, Wash.)