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.) |
