• Description of Collection
• Description of Series
• Inventory

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra [RPO], Inc. Scrapbooks (1975-1986, bulk 1975-1986)
Location: Old Sibley Library, AA3B, 5, 1-9.
17 linear inches

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. (or RPO) was incorporated in 1975 as a legal, not-for-profit organization with the purpose of overseeing the affairs of the Orchestra. The corporation was formerly known as the Rochester Civic Music Association which sponsored the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Civic Orchestra, Eastman Theatre Concerts, and other musical and non-musical events in Rochester since 1930. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra gave its first performance in 1923.

Issues of funding the RPO and the Civic Orchestra gained increasing attention throughout the life of the Rochester Civic Music Association. By 1965 the Civic Orchestra was dissolved, and the RPO became the major benefactor of the CMA’s fundraising campaigns. Article clippings suggest that the decision to change the name of the CMA to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. in 1975 was a marketing strategy to increase community awareness and financial support for the organization.

The materials in this Collection were gathered in chronological order by year by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc.. The scrapbooks were apparently transferred to the Sibley Music Library in the early 1990s.

The Collection consists of annual scrapbooks filled with press clippings of performances sponsored by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. from 1975 to 1986. The clippings comprise concert announcements, articles on performances and performers, performance reviews, and RPO related issues (fundraising, Board issues, etc..) Several scrapbooks are dominated by specific issues as indicated in the Inventory.

This Collection is valuable in reference to the following topics (non-comprehensive): the history of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, musical performances in Rochester between 1975 and 1986, performances in the Eastman Theatre, studies in marketing/ public-relations/ fundraising/ board issues in orchestral organizations.

There are no restrictions on the use of this Collection.

The history of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. prior to its incorporation in 1975 can be found in the Rochester Civic Music Association (CMA) Scrapbooks. The following publications that relate to the history of the RPO are held in the Eastman School of Music Archives: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra programs (1927- ), Eastman Theater programs (1922- ), the Civic Music News (1929-1975).

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Scrapbooks of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. maintained in their chronological order from 1975 to 1986. The scrapbooks contain press clippings of RPO Inc. sponsored performances including concert announcements, articles on specific performances, articles on specific performers, performance reviews, and articles on other RPO Inc. related issues.

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This page created by Sam W. Tooley. Last modified 28 October 1997.