Scholarship

Title: Scholarship
Description: As a University of Michigan professor, Patterson pursued research and publication projects about Black American composers and musicians, as well as performance projects to amplify the results of his scholarly work. Projects of particular note include the Black Art Song Series (1977–1978), a concert series coordinated with the Eva Jessye Afro-American Music Collection; two published anthologies of Art Songs by Black American Composers (1977 and 2002); and the Black American Music Symposium (1985) that brought together Black scholars, composers, and artists to network and collaborate.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

How does scholarly work contribute to social justice advocacy? What are the limitations of scholarly approaches to issues of injustice? What are the benefits?

Does scholarship contribute to social justice causes strictly by focusing on topics related to those causes? Can methodology also contribute to advocacy?

RELATED COLLECTIONS:; Expanding the Repertoire; BIPOC Platforming

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Con Brio: A Newsletter of the National Black Music Caucus, Vol. 1, No. 1
A newsletter published by the National Black Music Caucus, overseen by Willis Patterson as the Executive Secretary.
Ann Arbor Native Is Appointed 'U' Associate Music Professor
An article celebrating Patterson's appointment at the School of Music and summarizing his career up to that point.
Patterson To Conclude Series On Black Music
A feature on Willis Patterson and the Black Music Series, with the last concert of the series happening the next day (04/08/1973).
Letter to Willis Patterson from John J. Danahy
Letter from Detroit radio station WWWW congratulating Patterson on being named the station's "citizen of the day" in advance of his return to the University of Michigan as associate professor. A certificate for the honor that includes a brief biography of Patterson is enclosed.
Letter to Paul Boylan and CDR Members from Willis Patterson
A letter expressing both the voice department's ambivalence towards the student course proposal on the art songs of Black composers and Patterson's personal strong support for it. His diverging opinions from the department are of particular interest. Two pages of the letter present, but it is incomplete in the archive file.
Letter to Paul Boylan from Leonard Johnson
A letter expressing support for the proposal for a course on the art songs of Black composers. Cites a NASM review stating the the School of Music could benefit from "expanding our comparatively conservative offerings."
Letter to Henry Johnson, Richard English, and William Cash from Willis Patterson
Request for funds from the university administration in support of the Black Art Song Series, detailing that and related research projects such as Patterson's anthology.
School of Music Report of Faculty Activities 1975
A report of Willis Patterson's teaching, professional, research, and service activities across all three terms of 1975.
Letter to Willis Patterson from Charlotte Heth, August 11, 1988
A letter inquiring about details of Charlotte Heth's upcoming visit to campus through the King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Program, with a short biography and Heth's abbreviated CV enclosed.
Letter to Marilyn Gordon from Angela Jones, April 7, 1988
This letter to Marilyn Gordon, Coordinator of Minority Affairs and the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP), and the rest of the SROP selection committee outlines Jones's research objectives for the summer of 1988 if selected for SROP, with Willis Patterson as her research mentor.
Letter to Black Businesses from Willis Patterson
Form letter sent to top 100 Black businesses soliciting financial contributions in support of the Black American Music Symposium. Summarizes the symposium's goals, potential impact, and budget.
Art Songs by Black Female Composers Concert Program and Lyrics Sheets
4 page program for concert of compositions by Dorothy Rudd Moore, Florence Price, and Margaret Bonds, performed by Jacqueline Paige Green (soprano), Diane Bischak (violinist), Charles Lloyd (pianist), Willis Patterson (bass), Sylvia Olden Lee (pianist), Claritha Buggs (soprano), and Kermit Moore (cellist); 2 pages of lyrics. Part of the Black Art Song Series/Black American Composers concert series.