Sound Recording Series

Summary: The Sound Recording Series consists of four sub series:  Original Reel to Reels not preserved; Preservation Copies:  Reel to Reels; Preservation Copies:  Compact Discs; and Original Reel to Reels Preserved.   This series is arranged by artist and chronologically.  Dates range from 1936 – 1996.  Recordings are of the music that accompanied the dances.  Many recordings are original sound scores written and performed by Alwin Nikolais.

Preservation copies on compact disc specify the composer and the length of work.  Robert Auld of Auldworks was the audio engineer and completed the preservation process and transfer from original reel to reels to other formats.  This series is described at the item level in the finding aid.

The Original Reel to Reels Not Preserved sub series includes the sound recordings to accompany the dances as well as interviews, advertisements and lectures.  The recording boxes indicate whether they were utilized for rehearsals or performances.  Dates range from 1936 – 1996.  Preservation Copes:  Reel to Reels are preservation copies created from the original reel to reels.  The names of the composers and recording notes are included.  Preservation Copies:  Compact discs include archival copies and over 200 use copies created from the original reel to reels.   Original Reel to Reels:  Preserved are the original copies that were used to create the preservation copies in reel to reel and compact disc formats.