Arthur Russell Custer Papers (Mss. Gr. 168)

The Arthur Custer papers consist of records relating to Custer’s work as a composer, lecturer, performer, and educator from 1940 until the late 1990s.

The majority of the documentation in the collection consists of original scores written by Custer, including classical pieces, music for children, scores for stage productions and films, and commercial jingles. There are also scrapbooks of material on Custer’s career, recording logs, photographs and negatives, some correspondence, audio and videocassettes, slides, floppy disks, compact discs, 33 1/3 LP records of Custer's work, and scores by other composers.

The papers are divided into the following series:

Series one, Scores (1950-1994) contains scores written by Custer for performance, film, and television. The documents in the series consist of drafts, printed and bound scores, notes, recording logs, floppy disks, and slides.

Series two, Scores for Children (1975-1997) consists of scores for children’s television and films, and educational songs. The documents contain drafts, written scores, recording logs, notes, floppy disks, and cassette tapes.

Series three, Scrapbooks (1950-1983) contains press clippings, event programs, photographs, correspondence, press releases, and articles written by Custer relating to his career in academia and as a composer.

Series four, Media (1976-1997) consists of cassettes, videotapes, and 33 1/3 LP records of Custer’s works, performances, and film scores.

Series five, Scores by Other Composers (1953-1989), consists of printed scores, some annotated or autographed, and arrangements of scores by composers other than Custer.

Series six, Subject Files (1940-1995) contains photographs, photographic negatives and positives, slides, press clippings, press releases, publications, letters, notes, and educational materials relating to Custer’s work as a composer and educator.