[ARSCLIST] Score Preservation

[Mark Shakarjian <mssl72@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,
     I rarely post anything, but I am always reading. I have an  
issue that has come up and I need some help from the experts out  
there. A few of you know that I had been working for a French  
composer for many years, Michel Colombier. Michel had passed away a  
year ago November 14th. Since then I've been dealing with a lot of  
the issues on what to do with the master tapes, DATs and CD's, but  
and the question of how to deal with all the hand written scores is a  
concern. Since my expertise is short on the paper preservation/ 
restoration side, I've asked a few friends and composers locally to  
see if they have had any input on this. Some didn't know and some  
have said that they need to be sprayed with some sort of "art" spray  
so the pencil won't smudge and wear away. I don't know if that stuff  
is more damaging over time. Would it make a difference what type of  
paper he used (manufacturer?) and what pencil? I don't know if the  
paper is acid free. It's a yellow shade with printed staffs on it.  
What about storage conditions? I know that when I worked at The  
Eastman School of Music everything in the studios was at 68 degrees,  
45% humidity. Does the same apply to paper scores and books? I've  
also questioned donating the scores to a University. This is  
something I need to discuss with his wife and a few close friends of  
his.
   I appreciate any input on this. This stack of score sheets is a  
big part of his life and I don't want to see it destroyed. It seems  
rare these days to see actually see somebody hand write a score and  
make adjustments to it on stage in front of an orchestra. I feel  
blessed to have witnessed him at work.

Thank you for any help,

Mark Shakarjian
http://michelcolombier.com/

PS- Feel free to reply off-list