File 148 - Unheard of : memoirs of a Canadian composer

6 cm of textual records + 78 photographs

John Beckwith (2018); Kathleen McMorrow (A2024-02)

File contains research notes, correspondence, re-writes, editorial comments, press releases, and reviews for John Beckwith’s memoirs Unheard Of: Memoirs of a Canadian Composer (Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2012). Beckwith’s research notes include a list of important personal and professional events from 1937 to 1990, various copied correspondence, and some original correspondence from Nadia Boulanger and Beckwith’s father. File also includes correspondence from Ben Conway and William Toye and Beckwith's contract with Wilfrid Laurier University Press for the publication of the book.

A portion of Beckwith's source materials and research notes were originally stored in a vertical file folder, arranged alphabetically by subject matter. This arrangement is replicated in the folder storage of these records. Beckwith's source material included the following divisions and contents:

1. Beckwith [family] : a copy of Beckwith Notes: Number Six (Albert C. and Edward S. Beckwith, 1907) and other genealogical records and notes on the Beckwith family, including family photographs, correspondence, newspapers clippings, marriage certificate for John L. Beckwith and Agnes F. McLeod.
2. Children : photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and graduation programs relating to John Beckwith and Pamela Terry's children Jonathan, Robin Jane, Symon, and Lawrence.
3. Dunn : photographs, correspondence, and research notes pertaining to Mary and George Dunn.
4. Education : photographs, programs, and correspondence pertaining to John Beckwith's education prior to attending the University of Toronto, including programs from recitals of Gwendoline Harper's students.
5. Photograph of Marian Scott, Helmut Kallmann, and John Beckwith at the National Library of Canada (1997).
6. Grace [Dean McLeod White] : correspondence and notes pertaining to John Beckwith's paternal aunt.
7. Harold [Beckwith] : photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and notes, including an interview with Michael Hutcheon, pertaining to Harold Arthur Beckwith, John Beckwith's father.
8. Margaret [Alice Beckwith, nee Dunn] : photographs, newspaper clippings, and correspondence from and about John Beckwith's mother.
9. Nuptials : photographs from weddings, anniversaries, and christenings in the Beckwith family.
10. Pamela [Terry Beckwith] : photographs of Pamela Terry Beckwith and a transcription of her Paris diaries (1950-1952).
11. Sisters : photographs of and correspondence with John Beckwith's sisters, Jean and Sheila, including their notes on portions of the manuscript for Unheard Of.
12. Tree : the Beckwith family tree [oversize]
13. Pictures and captions : two photographs and a program from the premiere performance of John Beckwith's Rhapsody for piano by Gene Gash (December 13, 1951).
14. Works : newspaper clippings and correspondence regarding reviews of John Beckwith's compositions.

• English

Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2012