Scope and Contents
The Zo Elliott Papers contain sketches, manuscript scores, and published editions of Elliott's musical compositions, including operas, chamber works, piano pieces, songs, and choral music. Elliott's life and work are further documented by: correspondence; programs, clippings, and press releases; writings by and about Elliott; photographs; and miscellaneous items.
Dates
- 1861-1977 (inclusive)
Creator
Language of Materials
Materials chiefly in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment. There are no restricted materials in the collection. Please contact the Special Collections staff to schedule an appointment.
Some of the materials may be stored at the Library's off-campus shelving facility, so researchers should allow at least two business days to have the appropriate boxes paged.
Conditions Governing Use
The Zo Elliott Papers are the physical property of the Irving S. Gilmore Music Library of Yale University. Copyrights belong to the composers and authors, or their legal heirs and assigns.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Zo Elliott Papers were established in the Music Library of Yale University by Elliott's sister, Mildred W. Smith, in 1964.
Arrangement
In 10 series as follows: I. Correspondence. II. List of musical works, program notes, brochure. III. Photographs. IV. Clippings and press releases. V. Poetry and prose by Zo Elliott. VI. Miscellaneous items. VII. Statistical information and letter relating to John Brown. VIII. Piano roll. IX. Musical works by Zo Elliott. X. Musical works by other composers.
Extent
10 Linear Feet (19 boxes)
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
Music, correspondence and other papers, photographs; and miscellaneous items by and about the American composer Zo Elliott (1891-1964)
Biographical / Historical
Alonzo ("Zo") Elliott was born in 1891 in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was educated at St. Paul's School (Concord, New Hampshire), Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts), Yale University, Cambridge University, and Columbia Law School. Elliott also studied voice with De Sadler of New York and Berlin, and piano with Harry Whittemore of Manchester, New Hampshire. His best known composition is "There's a Long, Long Trail," one of the most popular songs from the era of World War I. (Elliott wrote the music; the words are by Stoddard King.) That song was not the only example of Elliott's interest in military music; he composed an opera, Top Sergeant, and he wrote an article about the background of the Civil War song "John Brown" which showed that the John Brown of the song was a soldier in Boston, not the famous abolitionist of the same name. Zo Elliott died in Wallingford, Connecticut in June, 1964.
- Title
- Register to The Zo Elliott Papers
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Compiled by Adrienne Nesnow
- Date
- 1996-2007
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared According To Local Music Library Descriptive Practices
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Gilmore Music Library Repository
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