Series consists of Derek Healey's rough notes, including manuscript sketches and drafts, for his compositions, which he began to keep and maintain after a conversation with librarian Rollyn Morris at the University of Victoria. After 1999, when Healey began to compose on the computer (starting with Six Canadian Folk Songs, Set II, op. 86, these rough notes are fewer, as the majority of his "notes" were on the computer. These later compositions include printouts of the work's status about a week after it was started.
Series also contains performance records for Healey's compositions, including correspondence with performers, programs, posters, reviews, and other pertinent materials. Healey began collecting performance materials after arriving in Canada in August 1979.
Series also includes notes on Healey's compositions taken during and following lessons with Boris Porena (1962-1963) and his "favourite" notebook with sketch and reference material (e.g., Indian talas, piano struts, etc.) that he referenced and used regularly throughout his compositional career.