Finding aid of the Donald Folsom Cooper Music Manuscripts and Scores, PC.7069
Abstract
Donald Folsom Cooper (1926-1994) grew up in Exeter, New Hampshire. He graduated from
Spaulding High School in Rochester, New Hampshire in 1944. After two years of Navy
service, Cooper pursued a Bachelor's degree in Music from the Philadelphia Musical
Academy. From 1947 to 1952, he studied composition under Stefan Wolpe at the music
academy. In 1952, he applied to Black Mountain College. He became interested in the
college through Stefan Wolpe, who also became his primary instructor while he was
studying there. He worked as a freelance composer for most of his life. He passed
away on May 25, 1994, in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
This collections consists of music manuscripts and original compositions by Donald
Folsom Cooper.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Donald Folsom Cooper Music Manuscripts and Scores
- Call Number
- PC.7069
- Creator
- Cooper, Donald Folsom
- Date
- 1948-1970
- Extent
- 0.750 cubic feet
- Repository
- Western Regional Archives, State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for Research
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.7069, Donald Folsom Cooper Music Manuscripts and Scores, State Archives of North Carolina, Western Regional Archives, Asheville, NC, USA.
Biographical/Historical
Donald Folsom Cooper was born on October 1, 1926, to Arthur G. Cooper and Constance
Gaudette in Exeter, New Hampshire. He grew up in the Exeter area, where his father,
a veteran of both World Wars, worked as a salesman. Cooper graduated from Spaulding
High School in Rochester, New Hampshire in 1944. Beginning in June 1946, Donald served
two and a half years in the Navy during World War II. He spent twelve months of his
service overseas.
He pursued a Bachelor's degree in Music from the Philadelphia Musical Academy from
1947 to 1952. During this time, he worked as a piano technician and repairman for
the Efrem Hian piano company. He also studied composition under Stefan Wolpe for three
years as part of his classes at the music academy. His classes primarily focused on
piano, composition, analysis, and orchestra. On June 23, 1951, he married Rebecca
Anne Boone Saulsbury in Philadelphia and they had one son. Cooper later remarried
and had an additional four children with his new wife.
Donald applied to Black Mountain College on September 26, 1952. He became interested
in the college through Stefan Wolpe, who was also his primary instructor while he
was studying there. His classes at Black Mountain College consisted of composition,
analysis, and orchestration, alongside a work scholarship. He attended Black Mountain
College from 1952 to 1954. During this time, he and his wife, Rebecca, welcomed their
first child, Todd, in 1953.
He worked as a freelance composer for most of his life. He passed away on May 25,
1994, in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Donated to the Western Regional Archives in April 2024.