Collection number: UA 9/7/2
Size: 11 boxes
(4.5 cu.ft.)
About John E. Rogers (1938-2016)
Composer John E. Rogers was an early pioneer in electronic and dodecaphonic instrumental music. He studied with Milton Babbitt, Elliot Carter, Robert Sessions, and other significant figures in 20th century composition. He held degrees in music composition from the Yale School of Music (MM, 1962) and Princeton University (FMA, 1965). After graduation he established the computer music department at the University of New Hampshire in 1967 and started the University of New Hampshire Summer Electronic Music Festivals beginning in 1969. During his time at UNH, Rogers served as Chair of the Music Department, Chair of Academic Senate, designed UNH’s first webpage in 1998, and taught extensively. He was an active performer on trombone and bass sackbut, instruments which appear frequently in his compositions. Rogers published extensively in the areas of dodecaphonic theory and computer music programming.
Many of his compositions are constructed around very strict tone rows and employ extended techniques, non-standard seating arrangements, and multiple simultaneous conductors. Despite these 20th century traits, they are also firmly rooted in the Baroque and Classical periods through use of familiar forms such as sonata, fantasia, passacaglia, and standard ensemble types like chamber orchestras and string trios.
About the John Rogers Music Collection (1960-1999)
The John Rogers Music Collection consists of approximately 40 original compositions by Rogers for computer, electronica, and instruments. Ensembles range from solo works and vocal lieder to chamber and orchestral works. Major works include Movements for Chamber Orchestra (1963), Rotational Arrays for Wind Quintet (1966), his Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano (1969), Isorhythms for percussion ensemble (1962), and the Prolation Suite for Brass (1988). Most works include working composition notes, several versions of the score, instrumental parts, and/or a complete printout of the computer code for electronic works. One work may appear across several boxes.
In addition to compositions, there are extensive analyses of both dodecaphonic and functionally harmonic composers from the 18th through 20th centuries. Examples include J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Arnold Schoenberg, Milton Babbitt, Igor Stravinsky, and Anton Webern.
Dates are given where they were indicated by the composer. Many works were left undated, and likely fall outside of the dates specified for each box.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
This collection is open.
Copyright Notice
Copyright is retained by the estate of the creator.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], [Folder number], [Box number], John Rogers Music Collection, 1960-1999, UA 9/7/2, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Transferred from UNH Music Department, 2017
Separated Material
Duplicates and mildewed items were separated and discarded.
Collection Arrangement
Collection is roughly divided into two parts: Analysis and Composition. Original compositions are boxed by size.
Collection Contents
| Box 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1960-1999 | Music Analysis
Works and subjects covered:
| |
| Box 2 | ||
| 1960-1999 | Music Analysis and Dodecaphonic Sets
Works and subjects covered:
| |
| Box 3 | ||
| 1973-1993 | Electronic and Computer Music Papers and Analysis
Works and subjects covered:
| |
| Box 4 | ||
| 1963-1995 | Analysis and Compositions
| |
| Box 5 | ||
| 1960-1980 | Compositions
| |
| Oversize Box 1 | ||
| 1960-1974 | Compositions
| |
| Oversize Box 2 | ||
| 1961-1963 | Compositions
| |
| Oversize Box 3 | ||
| 1961-1966 | Compositions
| |
| Oversize Box 4 | ||
| 1961-1969 | Compositions
| |
| Oversize Box 5 | ||
| 1961-1988 | Compositions
| |
| Oversize Box 6 | ||
| 1969-1969 | Compositions
| |
