In 2006 the
Columbia University Libraries
received a generous award
from The GRAMMY Foundation® Grants
Program for preservation
of the Ditson Fund Recordings
Archive.
The Ditson Fund at Columbia
University supports performances,
publications, and recordings
of works by younger or relatively
unknown (living) American
composers. Works commissioned
by the Fund represent a
microcosm of the history
of classical musical composition
in the United States in
the 20th century.
The Libraries 2006-2007
project focused on preserving
master copies of recordings
made from 1942 to 1951 of
works by established and
emerging composers, most
of whom later became significant
figures. The specific
goals of the project were:
- to clean and rehouse the
original tapes and discs
in new archival-quality
containers, and to transfer
all information from original
boxes and sleeves to the
new ones;
- to store the original
recordings permanently in
a controlled environment;
- to create and preserve
digital versions of these
recordings and design an
online site, thereby making
these materials easily accessible
to students, faculty and
researchers.
Work on this project was
carried out by the Preservation
Division, the Original and
Special Materials Cataloging
Department, the Music & Arts
Library and the Libraries
Digital Program Division.
|