Wilensky – Music and Performing Arts Library

Collection Information

Collection

Shirley Rose Wilensky collection of music materials.

Location

Dispersed within cataloged collections in the Music and Performing Arts Library and among music materials in storage on the lower level of the University Press Building

Provenance

Private collection, donated by Abraham Wilensky after the death of his wife, Shirley Wilensky, in 1989

When acquired

1989-1990

Description

Shirley Wilensky received a master’s degree in Aesthetics Education from the University of Illinois in 1979, and completed substantial additional work toward the doctorate in music education. She was active as a performer and instructor in voice, piano, and organ in central Illinois and elsewhere throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Her extensive collection (over 11,000 items) is particularly rich in keyboard and vocal music including (among other materials) over 800 books, 93 piano-vocal scores, 16 full orchestral scores, over 500 piano anthologies, 800 vocal anthologies, and over 5,000 recordings (mainly LP).

Arrangement

Dispersed among cataloged collections and materials in storage

Access/Finding Aids/Bibliography

Unfortunately, no list exists by individual title. Published items have been marked “Gift – Wilensky” in the gutter. The Collections File folder (“Wilensky, Shirley”) includes a brief summary, an inventory of general categories, a photograph of Shirley Wilensky, one of her concert programs, biographical data, a formal appraisal of the collection together with related tax form, invoices relating to the preparation of a plaque mounted in the Music and Perfroming Arts Library and copies of correspondence of Music Librarian William McClellan to Abraham Wilensky.

Index terms

Wilensky, Shirley