The Thomas H. Kerr, Jr. papers reflect his activity as a composer, organist, pianist, scholar, and teacher. The Personal series, 1937-1988, is comprised of individual files on Kerr and his family and includes biographical statements and sketches, high school and college records, scrapbooks, organizational affiliations, newspaper articles and essays published in various publications, letters, obituaries, and memorabilia from the wedding to his second wife Hortense R. Kerr. There are newspaper clippings about Thomas H. Kerr dating from 1950 to 1988 regarding performances. The Professional series 1934-1988 consists of a small file on Kerr relating to his work at Howard University in the Piano Department, including letters from colleagues and scholars until his death in 1988. There are also programs of Kerr's concerts from the 1930s to 1980s and notes drafted for recital programs. The Music series forms the major part of the collection and consists of compositions and arrangements. A printed catalog compiled by Constance Tibbs Hobson and Cynthia A. Reid of his works, spanning a period of five decades (1937-1987) documents more than 100 of his compositions and arrangements, many of which are in the collection. There are also works by other composers, including his father, Thomas Kerr, Sr. and other well known composers. The Hortense Kerr series is comprised of her files on Kerr documenting her effort to catalog and copyright Kerr's music. There is also general correspondence, and cards and letters following Kerr's death, program for recitals in Kerr's honor, and contracts to perform her husband's music.
