Richmond Symphony records A Guide to the Richmond Symphony records, 1932-2009 M 382 A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, M 382

A Guide to the Richmond Symphony records, 1932-2009 M 382

A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, M 382


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VCU James Branch Cabell Library

Special Collections and Archives 901 Park Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23284
Business Number: (804) 828-1108
libsca@vcu.edu
URL: https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/locations/#cabell

Megan Bender

Repository
VCU James Branch Cabell Library
Identification
M 382
Title
Richmond Symphony records 1950-2000
Quantity
42.4 Linear Feet
source
Richmond Symphony
Language
English

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

Recordings of the Richmond Symphony, commercial and non commercial, cannot be reproduced in any form. Notes in the program books cannot be reproduced without written permission of the author.

All literary property rights are retained by the Richmond Symphony.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Richmond Symphony Archives, Collection Number M 382, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.

Acquisition Information

Donated by the Board of the Richmond Symphony in August of 2009.


Biographical/Historical Information

Virginia's capital had its own symphony orchestra for a brief period in the 1930s, but the present Richmond Symphony dates from 1956, when it was founded as a community orchestra. Edgar Schenkman led the orchestra as its music director and conductor from its founding until 1971, when direction was taken over by French conductor Jacques Houtmann. The Symphony expanded greatly during Houtmann's sixteen years of leadership, achieving regional orchestra status and turning its part time "Little Symphony" into a full time Sinfonia in 1973. The first such professional symphonic ensemble to be established in Virginia, the Richmond Sinfonia proceeded to expand its schedule, particularly in the area of in school concerts for Virginia's school children. Further performing flexibility was lent by the Symphony's String, Brass, and Woodwind Ensembles. The development of student concerts and the sponsorship of youth orchestras rounded out the Symphony's extensive involvement with music education in the state.

The Richmond Symphony continues to be the largest performing arts organization in Virginia. Concert series, both classical and popular, are held in the Richmond Mosque and the Virginia Center for the Performing Arts (Carpenter Center), a downtown theater in whose renovation the Symphony took part. These and other special performances are supported by foundations, private donations, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of correspondence, musician files, concert programs, season plans, contracts, newspaper clippings and articles, Board meeting minutes, scrapbooks, photography, financial records and administrative documents, and audio-visual materials, chiefly from the 1980s through the 2000s, but also from earlier decades. A collection of related records, the RADA/Richmond Symphony Archives (M 257), is also held by Special Collections and Archives.

Arrangement

Collection is in alphabetical order.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Container List

Miscellaneous Documents
1933-1936, 1940-1941, 1959-2008
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Musicians
1986-1999, 2004
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Programs
1957-2002, 2005-2006
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Board of Directors / Executive Committee
1986-1991
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Newspaper Clippings and Articles
1965, 1970, 1972, 1980-1998
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Board Meeting Minutes
1936, 1975-1984, 2007
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Scrapbooks
1932-1933, 1964-1969, 1992-1993, 1998-1999
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Photography
1993
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Administrative Documents
1985, 1991, 1996
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Miscellaneous Binders
1990-1991, 2005-2009
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Audio Videos, Cassette Tape, and Compact Discs
1990, 1993, 1995-2004, 2006
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