Inventory
 

Terre Haute Symphony Collection
Dates: 1928-1999
Accession Number: 990126
Description: Two document cases

History

Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra

The Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1926 by Will H. Bryant, a professor of music at Indiana State Normal School, and a group of local union musicians. The idea of a symphony was also promoted by the Women's Department Club which asked Professor Bryant to create an orchestra and perform at their state convention of clubs on December 4, 1926. This became the date of their first concert which was held at the Indiana Theatre.

Although the early concerts were sporadic, venues changed, and the musicians performed without pay, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra has developed into a highly professional organization and has maintained a close relationship with Indiana State University. In 1933, President Ralph Tirey offered the orchestra rehearsal space and the use of university musical instruments. By 1946, the symphony had a permanent performance hall at the Student Union Building.

Over the years the symphony has collaborated with a variety of guest artists from local performers (such as Amelia Meyer, Vivian Bard, Elsa Silverstein, Wilfred Fidler)

to internationally acclaimed musicians (Isaac Stern, Roberta Peters, Aaron Copeland, Antonia Brico). Music directors/conductors of the Terre Haute Symphony include: Will H. Bryant (1926-1949), James W. Barnes (1949-1970), Victor B. Danek (1970-1978), Ramon E. Meyer (1978-1995), Cindy Egolf-ShamRao (1995-1997), and David Bowden (1997 to the present).

The Terre Haute Symphony is the second oldest orchestra in the state of Indiana. A brief history of the symphony by Susie Dewey is included in "High Notes," Vol. 1, No. 1 (November 1986), Folder 17 of this collection.

The Terre Haute Symphony Association was established as a non-profit organization to maintain and support the orchestra. In one of the Association's early constitutions the purpose of the organization was defined:

"The objectives of this association are to sponsor a civic orchestra known as the Terre Haute Symphony, to sponsor campaigns or solicitations to raise funds for said orchestra, and to do any and all things deemed proper and legal in the furtherance of musical culture of the city of Terre Haute and its adjacent area."

Women's Symphony Society of Terre Haute

In 1964, the Women's Symphony Society of Terre Haute organized "to promote the interests of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and to stimulate appreciation of fine music." Membership was open to women who held a season ticket to the concert series.

The Society was active in various fundraising projects: the Blossom Sale, the fall candle boutique, a Round Robin Bridge series, and it spearheaded the season ticket drive. It jointly sponsored activities with the Terre Haute Symphony Association, such as the Symphony Ball, music scholarships, purchase of instruments for the orchestra, and the Young Artists Concerto Competition.

The Society disbanded in 1978.

Terre Haute Symphony League

During the 1979-80 season, the Terre Haute Symphony League was formed as a volunteer group to provide additional support for the symphony. Membership was open to men and women interested in helping the symphony. Like its predecessor, the Women's Symphony Society of Terre Haute, the League has sponsored many fundraising activities from the Symphony Ball and Auction to the season ticket drive.

Today, in 1999, the League continues to be a vital organization to help maintain the symphony.

Content and Scope of the Collection

This collection was generated from original material on the Terre Haute Symphony found in the Community Affairs File in Special Collections. It represents four specific but interrelated organizations: the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, the Terre Haute Symphony Association, the Women's Symphony Society of Terre Haute, and the Terre Haute Symphony League.

The collection includes sample programs of symphony concerts, most of which are from the 1970s and 1980s. These programs not only document the specific concert, but contain a list of members of the orchestra and the members and officers of various supporting groups. Also, in the collection are some newsletters, bulletins, membership lists, and constitution and by-laws of the different organizations which support the symphony.

For related material, see Terre Haute Symphony Association (#790523A, OV 6); Terre Haute Symphony Association (SM D.C. 4); Terre Haute Symphony Association (SM D.C. 6); and Women's Symphony Society (#790523B).

Document Case 1
Folder 1	Programs	April 10, 1928 March 21, 1939
Folder 2	Programs	1954-1957
Folder 3	Programs	1960; 1962; 1965
Folder 4	Programs	1973-1974
Folder 5	Programs	1975-1976
Folder 6	Programs (includes Golden Anniversary concert, March 29, 1977)	1977
Folder 7	Programs, flyers	1978
Folder 8	Programs	1979
Folder 9	Programs	1980
Folder 10	Programs	1981-1982
Folder 11	Programs	1983-1984
Folder 12	Programs	1985-1986
Folder 13	Programs	1987-1988
Folder 14	Programs; flyers	1996-1998
Document Case 2
Folder 15	Bulletin of the Terre Haute Symphony Board	Oct. 1956
	Terre Haute Symphony Association: letters to subscribers	1973-1974
Folder 16	Newsletter: "Accent Notes"  Terre Haute Symphony Association	1978-1982
Folder 17	Newsletter: "High Notes"   Terre Haute Symphony Association	1982-1986
Folder 18	Women's Symphony Society of   Terre Haute (membership lists;    constitution and by-laws)	1972-1973; 1974-1976
Folder 19	Terre Haute Symphony League (membership lists; constitution and     by-laws)	1982-1987
Folder 20	Newsletter: "Notes of Interest" Terre Haute Symphony League	1986-1988
Folder 21	Terre Haute Symphony Ball and Auction - programs, flyers	1985-1986
Folder 22	Newsletter: "Prelude"	1999