MOORE, UNDINE S.
Undine Smith Moore papers, 1770-2012 [bulk 1923-1987]

Restrictions on Access

Special restrictions apply: Use copies have not been made for audiovisual material in this collection. Researchers must contact the Rose Library at least two weeks in advance for access to these items. Collection restrictions, copyright limitations, or technical complications may hinder the Rose Library's ability to provide access to audiovisual material.

Collection stored off-site. Researchers must contact the Rose Library in advance to access this collection.

Access to processed born digital materials is only available in the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library (the Rose Library). Use of the original digital media is restricted.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Special restrictions apply: Printed or manuscript music in this collection that is still under copyright protection and is not in the Public Domain may not be photocopied or photographed. Researchers must provide written authorization from the copyright holder to request copies of these materials.

Source

Purchased from Mary Moore Easter, 2010. Additions donated by Marcus Eley, 2018.

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Undine Smith Moore papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Processing

Processed by Amber L. Moore, Tricia Hersey, Jason Gutierrez, and Ariel Svarch, 2014.

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Biographical Note

Undine Eliza Anna Smith Moore, African American composer, educator and lecturer, was born August 25, 1904, in Jarratt, Virginia. She began playing the piano at age seven. Her musical abilities led to her receiving the Juilliard Graduate School’s first scholarship in 1924, which she used to attend Fisk University where she studied music and graduated cum laude in 1926. She began teaching piano, organ and music theory at Virginia State College in 1927 while also commuting to New York City to attend Columbia University's Teacher’s College.

Moore received her Master’s Degree in 1931 and continued teaching at Virginia State until her retirement in 1972. In 1938, she married Dr. James Arthur Moore, a professor and head of the Department of Health and Physical Education at Virginia State College. In 1941, she gave birth daughter Mary Hardie Moore. During her time at Virginia State she co-founded and co-directed the university's Black Music Center, bringing leading black composers, performers, and lecturers to campus.

After her retirement, Moore took Visiting Professorships at Carleton College, Virginia Union University, College of St. Benedict and Fisk University. In addition to her teaching, Moore was a renowned composer of songs, choral works, and pieces for small groups. She was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1980 for Scenes From the Life of a Martyr, an oratorio on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Moore died of a stroke February 6, 1989, in Petersburg, Virginia.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of the papers of Undine Smith Moore from 1770-2005 [bulk 1923-1987] and includes correspondence and personal papers, manuscript and published scores by Moore, writings by Moore and by others, subject and teaching files, photographs and scrapbooks, printed material, and audiovisual material. Correspondence contain letters relating to her tenure at Virginia State College, speaking engagement requests, and personal letters with friends and colleagues. Personal papers include journals detailing her daily experiences, royalty agreements and statements, and family papers from her husband, James Arthur Moore, and daughter, Mary Hardie Moore Easter.

Manuscript scores by Moore contain both her drafts and published compositions including Daniel, Daniel Servant of the Lord and Scenes from the Life of a Martyr, about Martin Luther King, Jr. Writings by Moore document many of her speeches, seminar talks, conference presentations and interviews. Writings by others consists of both typescript and published essays about African American history and culture, composers and musical compositions. Subject files contain administrative material relating to the Black Music Center at Virginia State University, sheet music by others such as Edward Boatner and Margaret Bonds, as well as her research on music and education. Teaching files include administrative material, handouts for students, examinations, student handouts, lesson plans and student papers.

Photographs and scrapbooks include portraits and snapshots of Moore, her relatives as well as her time as an undergraduate at Fisk University. Printed material by Moore contain articles, clippings and essays about the composer as well as brochures, pamphlets, and programs related to performances of her compositions at Gillfield Baptist Church, Carleton College and Fisk University. Other printed material consists of collected promotional material from various religious, cultural and educational institutions. Audiovisual material includes sound and video recordings of interviews with Moore, events honoring the composer, her lectures and speeches, as well as performances of her compositions by choirs and orchestras such as the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in Virginia.

Arrangement Note

Organized into seven series: (1) Correspondence and personal papers, (2) Manuscript scores and published compositions by Moore, (3) Writings, (4) Subject and teaching files, (5) Photographs and scrapbooks, (6) Printed material, and (7) Audiovisual material.