WAUUA19_15_5280VerrallJohn.xml Guide to the John Verrall Papers 1929-1993 Verrall (John W.) Papers Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries © 2006 (Last modified: 6/30/2026)
Allen Library BOX 352900 Seattle, Washington 98195-2900 Business Number: 206-543-1929 speccoll@uw.edu http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcollections/

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 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-07-15. Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard). June 2026 Nick Campigli: Updated extent, added accessions to 5280-003 Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries John Verrall papers Verrall, John, 1908-2001 5280 5.85 cubic feet 11 boxes 1929-1993 Music compositions, scrapbooks, and other materials from John Verrall, composer and professor of music at the University of Washington. Collection materials are in English.

John Verrall was born in Britt, Iowa, in 1908 and died in Seattle in 2001. He was a composer and professor of music at the University of Washington from 1948 to 1973. He received a B.M. from the Minneapolis College of Music in 1929 and a B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1934. Verrall studied composition with Zoltan Kodaly at the Liszt Conservatory of Music in Budapest. He also studied with Aaron Copland, Roy Harris, and Frederick Jacobi. Before becoming an editor for G. Schirmer and the Boston Music Company, he taught at Hamline University from 1934 to 1942 and at Mount Holyoke College from 1942 to 1946. Verrall received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1947 and a D.H. Lawrence Fellowship in 1964. He taught composition at the University of Washington from 1948 until his retirement in 1993.

Verrall composed works in a variety of different genres, ranging from solo piano works for children to large orchestral and operatic pieces. He wrote seven string quartets, and composed or arranged a large number of works for the solo french horn with accompaniment. For the Washington Centennial Celebration, he wrote a choral symphony in honor of Chief Joseph; it was premiered by the Walla Walla Symphony Orchestra in 1989. Many of his compositions used a nine-pitch scale consisting of two tetrachords on either side of a central pitch that was alterable (C-Db-Eb-E, F or F#, G-Ab-Bb-B).

Arranged by type of document.

The John Verrall papers consist almost entirely of musical compositions and arrangements by John Verrall. The music is primarily made up of the composer's facsimile editions printed by the American Composers Alliance (ACA). There are also published musical scores but only a few handwritten manuscripts. However, many of the printed copies have handwritten notes. Some published works are labled "analysis copy" and contain highlighting and musical analysis, presumably by Verrall. Other pieces consist of copy masters for proofreading and editing. Pieces with significant correction markings or added notation have been noted on the inventory. Some pieces contain penciled-in performance markings and bowings.

Also included are Verrall's arrangements of works by other composers, most notably Bach, Mozart, Edvard Grieg, and Stephen Heller; compositions of other composers; an article by John Beale entitled "The Music of John Verrall"; a scrapbook of various concert programs ; and Verrall's personal catalog of his compositions, which sometimes contains information about the premiere performances and the performers of the compositions.

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

The creator's literary rights have not been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

John Verrall Papers. Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries, Seattle, Washington.

Most of the Verrall papers were donated by John Kunz on November 29, 2001. A few additional scores, including a program and an annotated copy of the prologue and first act of The Cowherd and the Sky Maiden, were transferred from the University of Washington Music Library on March 22, 2004.

Processed in 2004 by Nicholas Netzel.

In processing the papers, efforts were made to keep the highest quality and most complete version of each work.

Twenty-one duplicate scores, including some parts, were transferred to the University of Washington Music Library, June 4, 2004.

 Verrall, John, 1908-2001--Archives Verrall, John, 1908-2001--Manuscripts--Facsimiles University of Washington--Faculty University of Washington. University Archives Seattle Composers--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives College teachers--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives Music teachers--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives Music--Manuscripts Music--Manuscripts--Facsimiles Arrangement (Music) University Archives/Faculty Papers (University of Washington) Music Colleges and Universities Peforming Arts Scores Correspondence Programs card indexes writings Posters Biographical Information: "The Music of John Verrall," by James Beale 1958 5280-003 Box 2 33 Music Scores

Divided into two subseries for instrumental music and vocal music. These subseries are further divided by size and type of ensemble, and, in the case of chamber and solo music, by general instrumentation. Chamber music is considered to be music for ten or fewer instruments. Works for a single instrument and piano accompaniment are filed with solos.

Unless otherwise noted in the description, researchers may assume that non-solo works have both the score and the instrumental parts, and accompanied solos have the part and accompaniment. Instrumentation has been noted when it is not apparent in the title of a work or when it deviates from standard instrumentation for the ensemble. If not described, scores are printed or facsimile copies without a discernable publisher. Non-standard instrumentation has also been noted.

 Instrumental Music Orchestral The Chief Joseph Legend 1988 5280-003 Box 3 1-2

No string parts. One ACA facsimile score and one score with corrections. Text and lyric sheets.

 Commentaries on Themes from Edvard Grieg undated 5280-003 Box 3 3

Score and parts with print masters of parts.

 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra 1957 5280-003 Box 1 1-2

Photocopies and ACA facsimiles.

 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Two Piano Version 1984 5280-003 Box 1 3

Score only, ACA facsimile.

 Concerto for Viola and Orchestra 1974 5280-003 Box 3 4

Full score and piano reduction score, viola part only. ACA facsimile.

 Dark Night of Saint John: Suite in Four Parts for Chamber Orchestra 1957, 1989 5280-003 Box 4 1

ACA facsimile score, 2 copies of 1989 revised score with parts.

 Lyric Symphony 1990 5280-003 Box 8 1-2

Two ACA facsimile scores, with corrections and additions.

 Olympic Sunset 1988 5280-003 Box 1 4 A Pastoral Elegy 1970 5280-003 Box 1 5

Oboe, flute, three clarinets, bassoon, horn, trumpet, three trombones, tuba. Score, facsimile parts, print master parts.

 Portrait of Saint Christopher 1956 5280-003 Box 4 2-5

Two ACA facsimile scores and multiple copies of parts with corrections and additions.

 Prelude: In Praise of Peace undated 5280-003 Box 3 5

ACA facsimile score in concert pitch with additions. Multiple copies of parts.

 Radiant Bridge: Fantasy for Orchestra Based on Indian Shaker Rhythms 1974-1976 5280-003 Box 4 6-8

Three copies of ACA facsimile score with additions and parts.

 A Song of David: Elegy for Orchestra undated 5280-003 Box 3 6

Score only, with additions.

 Suite No. 1 for Orchestra 1976 5280-003 Box 3 7

Two ACA facsimile scores with multiple copies of parts.

 Summerland Fantasy, A Bucolic Prelude for Orchestra 1985 5280-003 Box 1 6

ACA facsimile score.

 Symphony for Chamber Orchestra No.3 1967 5280-003 Box 3 8

Three scores: two photocopies and one print master. Multiple copies of some parts.

 Symphony for Young Orchestras 1954 5280-003 Box 1 7

Published by Boston Music. Alternate title is Symphony in the Phrygian Mode. Two identical scores with parts; one has alternate title pasted on.

 Variations on an Ancient Tune 1956 5280-003 Box 4 9

Score only.

 A Winter's Tale 1947 5280-003 Box 5 1

Score only, published by Independent Music.

 Wind Ensemble Holiday Moods: Suite for Band 1948 5280-003 Box 5 2

Condensed score and partial parts. Published by Boston Music.

 A Northern Overture for Band 1950 5280-003 Box 5 3

Condensed score and parts. Published by Boston Music

 Passacaglia for Concert Band undated 5280-003 Box 1 8

ACA facsimile.

 Chamber Music Strings Divertimento for Strings 1967 5280-003 Box 5 4

Two violins, viola, violoncello, contrabass. Published by Highgate Music.

 Prelude and Allegro for Strings circa 1950-1959 5280-003 Box 1 9

Two violins, viola, violoncello, contrabass.

 Quartet No. 1 (Introduction and Finale) undated 5280-003 Box 5 5

Score and miniature facsimile score with additions and parts.

 Quintet for Piano and Strings 1952 5280-003 Box 5 6

Two violins, viola, violoncello, pianoforte. ACA facsimile.

 String Quartet No. 2 1940-1945 5280-003 Box 1 10

Published by Valley Music.

 String Quartet No. 3 1950 5280-003 Box 1 11

With corrections, published by Theodore Presser / Oliver Ditson.

 String Quartet No. 4 1952 5280-003 Box 1 12

Published by Theodore Presser / Oliver Ditson.

 String Quartet No. 5 1952, 1988 5280-003 Box 5 7

Includes original finale with corrections. Independent Music facsimile score is from 1952. Also includes photocopied parts from 1988 revision.

 String Quartet No. 6 1956 5280-003 Box 5 8

Print master score and photocopied score and parts.

 String Quartet No. 7 1961 5280-003 Box 1 13

ACA facsimile.

 String Trio 1941 5280-003 Box 5 9

Published by Valley Music.

 Three Nocturnes for Violin, Cello, and Piano 1987 5280-003 Box 5 10

ACA facsimile score, photocopied scores with corrections and parts.

 Woodwinds Divertimento for Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon 1971 5280-003 Box 5 11

Two copies of score. Three sets of parts - photocopy, print master, ACA facsimile.

 Introduction and Rondino for 3 Clarinets 1957 5280-003 Box 1 14

ACA facsimile.

 Septet for Wind Instruments 1965 5280-003 Box 7 1

Flute, oboe, two clarinets, horn, two bassoons. ACA facsimile, two scores with corrections and parts.

 Serenade (Horn, Clarinet) 1941 5280-003 Box 11 1

Clarinet and Horn. Composed by John Verrall.

 Serenade for Five Instruments 1947 5280-003 Box 5 12

Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon. Published by Theodore Presser / Mercury Music.

 Suite for 3 Clarinets in Bb 1984 5280-003 Box 1 16 Serenade No. 2 for Wind Quintet 1974 5280-003 Box 1 15

Published by Theodore Presser / Tritone Music.

 Brass Suite for Brass Sextet 1956 5280-003 Box 2 1

Two trumpets, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba. Published by Merion Music.

 Keyboard Prelude, Intermezzo and Fugue for 2 Pianos 1964 5280-003 Box 6 1

Score only. ACA facsimile.

 Duo Sonata (for Piano, Four Hands) 1983 5280-003 Box 6 2

Two scores with corrections.

 Sonata for Two Pianos 1984 5280-003 Box 6 3

Three scores - facsimile, photocopy, photocopy with corrections.

 Suite for Two Pianos 1967 5280-003 Box 6 4

With corrections and additions.

 Mixed Wind and Strings Concert Piece for Strings and Horns undated 5280-003 Box 6 5-6

Two horns, two violins, viola, violoncello, contrabass. ACA facsimile score and Independent Music facsimile parts.

 Dark and Light: Five Fantasy Pieces for Horn and Strings undated 5280-003 Box 6 7

Horn, two violins, viola, contrabass. Manuscript score only.

 Introduction, Variations and Adagio 1974 5280-003 Box 6 8

Flute, oboe, violin, violoncello, pianoforte. ACA facsimile.

 Nonette (String Quartet and Woodwind Quintet) 1970 5280-003 Box 6 9

ACA facsimile with additions.

 Pastorale 1960 5280-003 Box 2 2

Two flutes, two violas, three violoncellos

 Rhapsody for Horn in F and Strings 1979 5280-003 Box 2 3

Horn, three violins, viola, violoncello, contrabass. ACA facsimile.

 Instrumental Solo Strings Fantasy Variations for Violin and Piano 1989 5280-003 Box 2 4 Sonata No. 1 for Viola and Piano 1956 5280-003 Box 6 10

ACA edition with corrections, Dow Music Publisher editions.

 Sonata No. 2 for Viola and Piano 1963 5280-003 Box 2 5

With analysis. Published by Edition Peters.

 Sonata for Cello and Piano 1929 5280-003 Box 6 11

Score only, includes some manuscript pages.

 Sonatina for Violin and Piano 1958 5280-003 Box 2 6

Published by Dow Music.

 Sonatina for Viola and Piano 1962 5280-003 Box 2 7

Published by Dow Music. Includes two analysis copies.

 Sonatina for Cello and Piano 1958 5280-003 Box 2 8

Published by Dow Music.

 Evening Reflections: Nocturne for Piano, Violin, and Cello 1986 5280-003 Box 11 2 Woodwinds Brief Elegy undated 5280-003 Box 2 9

For unaccompanied clarinet. Print master and photocopy.

 Four Characteristic Pieces for Flute and Piano 1991 8/3

Print masters.

 Nocturne for Bass Clarinet or Bb Clarinet and Piano undated 5280-003 Box 2 10 Sonata for Flute and Piano 1976 5280-003 Box 2 11

Published by Theodore Presser / Tritone Music.

 Sonata for Oboe and Piano 1956 5280-003 Box 6 12

Part and loose pages of facsimile score and print masters.

 Brass Eusebius Remembered: Fantasy for Horn or Tenor Saxophone and Piano 1976 5280-003 Box 2 12

Score, horn part, and saxophone part.

 Invocation to Eos for Horn in F or Saxophone in Eb and Piano 1983 5280-003 Box 2 13

Two scores, horn part, saxophone part.

 Five Bagatelles for Horn and Piano 1993 5280-003 Box 8 4

Print masters.

 Sonata for Horn and Piano undated 5280-003 Box 8 5

Print master and correction copy.

 Three Fantasy Legends 1990 5280-003 Box 2 14

Horn, pianoforte. ACA facsimile.

 Keyboard All in a Day: 6 Short Pieces for Piano 1950 5280-003 Box 2 15

Published by Theodore Presser / Oliver Ditson. Photocopy and six indvidual pieces.

 Autumn Sketches 1968 5280-003 Box 2 16

Published by New Valley Music.

 Canzona for Organ 1968 5280-003 Box 2 17

Includes two analysis copies. Published by Edition Peters.

 Four Pieces for Piano 1954 5280-003 Box 2 18

Two copies. Published by University of Washington Press.

 Memories of Earlier Days: Three Pieces for Piano 1986 5280-003 Box 9 1

ACA fascsimile and print masters.

 The Mosquito and the Frog 1955 5280-003 Box 2 19

Published by Carlton Music.

 Ostinato Jubilato for Carillon 1968 5280-003 Box 6 13

Two copies. Includes notes.

 Prelude and Fughetta for Carillon 1958 5280-003 Box 6 14 Preludes en Suite 1950 5280-003 Box 2 20

Photocopies, facsimiles, and print-masters.

 Sketches and Miniatures: 10 Pieces for Piano 1954 5280-003 Box 6 15

Published by Valley Music. Four copies, including two analysis copies and print masters.

 Sonata No. 1 for Piano Solo 1989 5280-003 Box 9 2

ACA facsimile and print master.

 Sonata No. 2 for Piano 1986 5280-003 Box 6 16

ACA facsimile.

 Theme and Variations 1984 5280-003 Box 6 17

ACA facsimile. Alternate title: Eleven Variations on an Original Theme.

 Three New Preludes for Piano 1985 9/3

Print master.

 Vocal Music Opera The Cowherd and the Sky Maiden 1952 5280-003 Box 7 2-7

Full score and piano/vocal score, with corrections and additions.

 The Wedding Knell, Based on a Tale by Nathaniel Hawthorne 1952 9/4

Flute, clarinet, horn, bassoon, viola, violoncello, bells, pianoforte. Full score and piano/vocal score, with corrections and additions.

 Choral Christ Crucified for Me undated 5280-003 Box 2 21 They Shall Never Thirst undated 5280-003 Box 7 8

Three copies.

 Ah Come, Sweet Night 1947 5280-003 Box 2 22 Songs Colonial Heritage: Three Songs for Voice and Piano 1978 9/5

For high or low voice.

 The Promise of the Cross undated 5280-003 Box 2 23 Songs of Nature: Four Songs for Voice and Piano from Rural Poems by John Gracen Brown 1979 5280-003 Box 2 24 A Sojourn of the Spirit 1978 5280-003 Box 2 25

Words: John Gracen Brown.

 To You 1982 5280-003 Box 2 26

Words: Walt Whitman.

 Arrangements for Instrumental Music Wind Ensemble A Christmas Fantasy 1950 5280-003 Box 5 13

Arranged by Verrall. Includes choral parts.

 Prelude, Arietta and Fugue, Bach 1970 5280-003 Box 5 14

Multiple copies of score and parts.

 Instrumental Solo Brass Concerto No 1. in D Major for Horn and Orchestra, Mozart (K 412) undated 5280-003 Box 8 6

Horn, pianoforte. Score includes print master and photocopy.

 Concerto No 2. in Eb Major for Horn and Orchestra, Mozart (K 495) 1981 5280-003 Box 8 7

Horn, pianoforte. Score - print master.

 Concerto No 3. in Eb Major for Horn and Orchestra, Mozart (K 447) 1985 5280-003 Box 8 8

Horn, pianoforte. Score - print master.

 Concerto No 4. in Eb Major for Horn and Orchestra, Mozart (K 495) undated 5280-003 Box 8 9

Horn, pianoforte. Score - print master.

 Three Characteristic Pieces for Horn in F and Piano, Stephen Heller 1984 5280-003 Box 8 10 Three Lyric Pieces by Edvard Grieg undated 5280-003 Box 2 27

Horn, pianoforte.

 Keyboard Andante from Concerto No. 17, Mozart undated 5280-003 Box 2 28 Caprice, J.N. Hummel, Op. 49 undated 5280-003 Box 9 6

Print master.

 Etude (after Clementi, Gradus ad Parnassum) undated 5280-003 Box 2 29 Flower-Fruit and Thorn-Pieces, Nuits Blanches, La Naiade, Stephen Heller, Op. 82 1983 5280-003 Box 9 7

Print master.

 Study (after Czerny Opus 740 No. 3) undated 5280-003 Box 6 18 Twelve Selected Preludes, Stephen Heller, Op. 81 1987 5280-003 Box 9 8

Print master.

 Unidentified undated 5280-003 Box 9 9

Possibly by Stephen Heller. Print master.

 Compositions of Others Instrumental Keyboard Solo Music Idilio, by Theodore Lack undated 5280-003 Box 2 30 Selected Sonatas, Domenico Scarlatti (the Affective Greats) undated 9/10 Choral Music: Favorite Christmas Carols undated 5280-003 Box 2 31 Phonodisc Master Recordings Winter's Tale Overture (Seattle Symphony) 1949 5280-003 Sound Disc 1 Viola Sonata undated Correspondence and Ephemera Correspondence Regarding String Quartet No. 6 1971, 1992 5280-003 Box 2 32 Poster: Chief Joseph Legend, Premiere undated 5280-003 Box 9 11 Programs undated 5280-003 Box 2 34 Notecards: Verrall's Index of Compositions undated 5280-003 Box 10

Includes information on composition dates and premieres of some of his works.

 Scrapbook of Concert Programs 1964-1987 English 5280-003 Box 11