ROCHESTER CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION [CMA] SCRAPBOOKS

SC 1996.4

Ruth T. Watanabe Special Collections
Sibley Music Library
Eastman School of Music
University of Rochester

prepared by Ronald J. Morgan
Summer 1996

CONTENTS

 

DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTION

Rochester Civic Music Association [CMA] Scrapbooks (1923-1975, bulk 1929-1975)
Location: Old Sibley Library, AA4B 1,1 – 2,8.
110 linear inches

 

Historical Sketch

The Rochester Civic Music Association (frequently referred to as the Civic Music Association or CMA) was formed in 1930 through a merging of the Eastman Theater Subscriber’s Association and the Civic Orchestra Association. The purpose of the new organization was to support and conduct the activities of the Rochester Civic Orchestra (first season: 1929), Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (first season: 1923), Eastman Theater Concerts, and other musical events such as visits of the Metropolitan Grand Opera to Eastman Theater. The CMA conducted annual fundraising drives to support a variety of musical activities, as well as dance, theater, and other entertainment. As fiscal problems increased in the post-war era, the CMA became increasingly preoccupied with the struggle to fund the Civic Orchestra and the RPO. This led to the decision in 1965 to dissolve the Civic Orchestra and concentrate resources in the Philharmonic. In 1975 the CMA voted itself out of existence by changing its name to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. to better reflect its major benefactor.

 

Provenance

The majority of the materials in this Collection were gathered in chronological order by the Rochester Civic Music Association. It is unknown when the reference materials in Series 2 were created. The Collection was apparently transferred to the Sibley Music Library in the early 1990s.

 

Scope and Content

The collection consists mainly of annual scrapbooks filled with press clippings of CMA sponsored performances, including the early history of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. The clippings comprise concert announcements, articles on performances and performers, performance reviews, and CMA related issues (fundraising, society events, contract disputes with the orchestra, etc.) Several scrapbooks are dominated by specific issues as indicated in the Inventory. The first scrapbook includes materials from the year previous to the official formation of the CMA (1929), and the Collection contains scrapbooks up to and including the CMA’s last year (1975).

Two binders index the performances of the Civic Orchestra and the RPO from 1923 – 1972, giving dates, conductors, and repertoire. Two other binders provide programs of out-of- town performances of the Civic Orchestra, RPO, and the Rochester Little Symphony, in alphabetical order by city, beginning in 1929.

This Collection is valuable in reference to the following topics (non-comprehensive): the history of the Civic Music Association, artistic activities/organizations in Rochester from 1929 to 1975, social events in Rochester from 1929 to 1975, performances in the Eastman Theater, the early history of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc., philanthropy of the arts in Rochester from 1929 to 1975, the funding of orchestras, board-musician relations in orchestras (contract disputes, etc.).

 

Restrictions and Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this Collection.

 

Associations

The history of the CMA is continued in The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. Scrapbooks. The following publications that relate to the history of the CMA are held in the Eastman School of Music Archives: the Civic Music News (1929-1975), Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra programs (1927- ), Eastman Theater programs (1922- ).

 


DESCRIPTION OF SERIES

 

Series 1: Scrapbooks

Scrapbooks of the Rochester Civic Music Association maintained in their chronological order from 1929-1975. The scrapbooks contain press clippings of CMA sponsored performances including concert announcements, articles on various artistic organizations, articles on specific performances, articles on specific performers, performance reviews, and articles on other CMA related issues.

 

Series 2: Reference Binders

Binders that index the performances of the Civic Orchestra and the RPO from 1923 – 1972, giving dates, conductors, and repertoire.

Binders that provide programs of out-of-town performances of the Civic Orchestra, RPO, and the Rochester Little Symphony, in alphabetical order by city, beginning in 1929.

 


INVENTORY

Location: Old Sibley Library AA4B 1,1 – 2,8
(* = oversized items moved to the end of the Collection.)

Series 1: Scrapbooks

Scrapbook 1 1929-31 Clippings: mostly Civic Orchestra (CO) and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO).
Scrapbook 2 1929-31 Clippings: mostly CO and RPO (CMA sponsored 1930-).
Scrapbook 3 1931-32 Clippings: mostly CO and RPO (CMA sponsored 1930-).
Scrapbook 4 1931-32 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 5 1932-33 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 6 1934 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 7 1935-36 Clippings: CMA events — mostly opera, dance, theater.
Scrapbook 8 1935-39 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 9 1937-39 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 10 1939-40 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 11 1940 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 12* 1944-49 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 13 1955-56 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 14* 1957 (Fall) Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 15 1957-58 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 16 1958-59 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 17 1959 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 18 1959 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 19 1959-60 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 20 1960-61 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 21 1961-62 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 22 1961-62 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 23 1962-63 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 24 1963-64 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 25 1964-65 Clippings: CMA events. Includes CMA and Musician’s Union dispute over Civic Orchestra members.
Scrapbook 26 1966 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 27 1965-68 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 28 1966-67 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 29 1966-67 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 30 1966-67 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 31 1968 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 32 1968-69 Clippings: CMA events. Includes contract disputes between CMA and musicians. Press on the Rochester/Buffalo Philharmonic merge issue.
Scrapbook 33* 1969-70 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 34 1969-70 CMA: “Under 30” Committee ( RPO promotion.)
Scrapbook 35 1969-70 CMA: “Under 30” concerts.
Scrapbook 36 1969-72 CMA: RPO programs.
Scrapbook 37* 1970-71 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 38* 1971-72 Clippings: CMA events. Includes CMA funding issues (State Art Council cuts) and Eastman Theater renovations.
Scrapbook 39 1972 Clippings: CMA firing controversy, funding problems.
Envelope 1 1972 Clippings: CMA firing controversy (photocopies).
Scrapbook 40* 1972 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 41* 1972 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 42* 1972-74 Clippings: CMA events.
Scrapbook 43* 1974-75 Clippings: CMA events. Includes issues relating to CMA Board of Directors.

Series 2: Reference Binders

Binder 1 1923-72 Civic Orchestra/ Rochester Philharmonic listing of programs and conductors.
Binder 2 1923-72 Civic Orchestra/ Rochester Philharmonic listing of programs and conductors.
Binder 3 1929-c. 1960s Civic Orchestra/ Rochester Philharmonic/ Rochester Little Symphony out-of-town programs (cities A through I.)
Binder 4 1929-c. 1960s Civic Orchestra/ Rochester Philharmonic/ Rochester Little Symphony out-of-town programs (cities K through Z.)

Back to Finding Aids