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Anchorage Symphony Orchestra Records

Guide to the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra records
1953-1995

Collection number: HMC-0056.
Creator: Anchorage Symphony Orchestra.
Title: Anchorage Symphony Orchestra records.
Dates: 1953-1995, bulk 1968-1987.
Volume of collection: 4.5 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary: Organizational records of Anchorage’s local symphony orchestra.

Organizational history:
The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1946 by seventeen local musicians, whose first public performance in December of that year was a joint performance of A Christmas Carol with the Anchorage Little Theater.  The orchestra gave its first full concert in May 1947.  At the time of its founding, the symphony was the only musical organization of its kind in Alaska and was the farthest north symphonic orchestra on the continent. In addition to its regular programs of classical music, the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra has performed special Young People’s Concerts and Pops Concerts, and has collaborated with the Anchorage Community Chorus, the Anchorage Civic Ballet, the Anchorage Civic Opera, and the Alaska Festival of Music to bring Alaskans a variety of entertainments. In the early 1960s, an Executive Board was formed to handle the Symphony’s business matters and the Anchorage Symphony Women’s League was established to assist the Board and to promote the Symphony.

Collection description:
This collection contains the organizational records of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra (ASO) from 1953-1995, with the bulk of the records dating from 1968-1987.  Materials in the collection include committee papers, meeting minutes, and correspondence from the ASO board of directors; other administrative correspondence about the daily functions, concerts, and special programs of the organization; ASO newsletters, programs, and brochures for ASO concerts and programs; subject files and newspaper clippings kept by the organization on topics pertinent to the activities of the ASO; financial records; and other organizational records, including publicity materials and photographs.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged into the following series:
Series 1: Board of directors records; 1968-1987
Series 2:  Administrative correspondence; 1971-1986
Subseries 1:  General correspondence; 1971-1986
Subseries 2: Board of directors and staff member correspondence; 1974-1986
Series 3:  Newsletters; 1983-1986
Series 4:  Subject files; 1964-1987
Series 5:  Programs and brochures; 1968-1987
Series 6:  Financial records; 1953-1988
Series 7:  Newspaper clippings, 1968-1987
Series 8:  Other records; 1972-1995

Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.

Rights note: Archives does not own copyright to this collection.

Preferred citation: Anchorage Symphony Orchestra records, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.

Related materials: Archives & Special Collections also holds the following related collections: Anchorage Symphony League records; 1946-1992.  HMC-0057.

Acquisition note: The collection was placed on deposit in the archives in 1988 by the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra.  Additional materials were added to the collection in 1996.

Processing information: This collection was arranged and described by Michele Wellck in 1996.  The guide to the collection was revised by Megan K. Friedel in 2011.

Container list:
Series 1: Board of directors records; 1968-1987.0.3 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description Dates
1/1 -1/2 By-laws and articles of incorporation 1976, 1982
1/3 -1/8 Board meeting minutes 1974-1979
1/9 -1/14 Board meeting minutes and agendas 1982-1987
1/15 Committee list and descriptions 1976-1987
1/16 Budget committee papers 1968 May
1/17 Contract committee papers 1977
1/18 Education committee agenda and memo papers 1982
1/19 -1/20 Fundraising committee papers, including Salmon Derby plan 1985, 1987
1/21 Liaison committee papers 1983
1/22 Long-Range Planning committee/Caroline Wohlforth papers 1982-1985
1/23 Programs committee invoices for program ads 1982
1/24 Publicity committee 1979
1/25 Search committee papers regarding search for conductor 1980-1981
1/26 Search committee papers regarding search for Anchorage Symphony Orchestra board members 1979
1/27 Tickets committee memo circa 1981
1/28 Young Peoples Concerts committee papers 1978-1981
1/29 Letters to board of directors 1980-1983
1/30 Mediators report by Bean Public Relations 1982 December 14
1/31 Memos to board members 1977-1987

Series 2: Administrative correspondence; 1971-1986. 0.7 cubic feet.
Series 2.  Subseries 1:  General organizational correspondence; 1971-1986. 0.3 cubic feet. Arranged chronologically by material type.

Box/Folder Description Dates
1/33 General correspondence 1971
1/34 General correspondence 1972
1/35 General correspondence 1973
1/36 General correspondence 1974 January-April
1/37 General correspondence 1974 May-June
1/38 General correspondence 1974 August
1/39 General correspondence 1974 November-December
1/40 General correspondence circa 1974-1975
1/41 General correspondence 1975 February-May
1/42 General correspondence 1975 June-August
1/43 General correspondence 1975 September-December
1/44 General correspondence 1976 January-April
1/45 General correspondence, including photographs of William Masselos 1976 May-August
1/46 General correspondence 1976 September-December
1/47 General correspondence circa 1976-1977
1/48 General correspondence 1977 January-April
1/49 General correspondence 1977 May-December
1/50 General correspondence 1979
1/51 General correspondence with Walter F. Anderson, special assistant to the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts 1979
1/52 General correspondence 1980-1981
1/53 General correspondence: Outgoing 1982 July-September
1/54 General correspondence: Outgoing 1982 October-December
1/55 General correspondence: Outgoing 1983 January-March
1/56 General correspondence: Outgoing 1983 April-June
1/57 General correspondence: Outgoing 1983 July-September
1/58 General correspondence: Outgoing 1983 October-December
1/59 General correspondence: Outgoing 1984 January-March
1/60 General correspondence: Outgoing 1984 April-June
1/61 General correspondence: Outgoing 1984 July-September
1/62 General correspondence: Outgoing 1984 October-December
1/63 General correspondence -Various incoming 1982-1986

Series 2.  Subseries 2: Board of directors and staff correspondence; 1974-1986.  0.4 cubic feet.  Arranged alphabetically by correspondent name.

Box/Folder Description Dates
1/64 Bud Adams board resignation 1983 January
1/65 Richard Anglemyer letter regarding board membership 1982 May
1/66 Larry Baker board resignation 1983 December
1/67 Matt Berman (Anchorage Symphony Orchestra Players Association president) correspondence 1982-1983
1/68 Dennis Barry memos from Pat Lombard 1982
1/69 Ken Calhoon letter regarding board membership 1984-1985
1/70 Sally Dowling notes regarding bowling requirements 1984-1985
1/71 Maurice Dubonnet (conductor) correspondence 1974-1981
1/72 Nancy Farmer correspondence 1974, 1981
1/73 Hubert Gellert correspondence 1980-1983
1/74 R. Everett Harris correspondence 1981-1983
1/75 Carol Heyman correspondence 1982
1/76 Duane Heyman correspondence, minutes, and notes 1981-1983
1/77 Dan Heynen board resignation letter 1983 January
1/78 Ruth Jefford board resignation letter 1985 May
1/79 William Kramer memos from Patricia Lombard 1981-1982
1/80 Patricia Lombard (general manager) correspondence 1981-1982
1/81 William E. McHarg correspondence and memos 1981-1983
1/82 Ron Merrett correspondence and memos 1981-1982
1/83 Irving “Ozzie” Miller resume Undated
1/84 Elaine Nelson correspondence and memos 1981-1982
1/85 David Outcalt board resignation letter and photograph 1986
1/86 Jean Penney correspondence 1982
1/87 Shirley Pope board resignation letter 1985
1/88 Marilyn Sellick (Anchorage Symphony Women’s League president) letter to Women’s League members Undated
1/89 Meredith Sykes (secretary of board of directors) correspondence, memos, minutes, and notes 1981-1984
1/90 Richard Weaver correspondence and board application 1984-1985
1/91 Joshua Wright board resignation letter 1985 October

Series 3: Newsletters; 1983-1986. 0.05 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description Dates
1/92 Music in the Air 1983-1984
1/93 Symphony! 1984-1986

Series 4: Subject files; 1964-1987. 1.25 cubic feet.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Box/Folder Description Dates
1/94 Alascom 1981-1985
1/95 Alaska Airlines 1979-1985
1/96 Alaska Arts Alliance 1981-1985
1/97 Alaska Festival of Music 1973-1977
1/98 Alaska Festival of Music program 1964
1/99 Alaska Light Opera Theater copy machine use 1985
1/100 Alaska Pacific University 1982-1986
2/1 Alaska Piano and Organ 1984, undated
2/2 Alaska Repertory Theater 1980-1985
2/3 Alaska State Fair 1986
2/4 Alaska State Hearing for the Arts 1974-1975
2/5 Alaska Visitors Association 1983
2/6 All Ways Travel 1984
2/7 Alyeska Pipeline Service Company correspondence 1981-1982
2/8 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) 1978-1984
2/9 American Symphony Orchestra League 1975-1987
2/10 American Symphony Orchestra League comparative statistical reports 1984-1987
2/11 American Symphony Orchestra League San Francisco conference 1985
2/12 American Symphony Orchestra League Toronto conference 1984-1985
2/13 American Symphony Orchestra League Volunteer Council pre-seminar work materials 1985
2/14 Anchorage Arts Advisory Commission 1977, 1979
2/15 Anchorage Arts Council 1975, 1981-1985
2/16 Anchorage arts organizations list 1978 November
2/17 Anchorage Civic Opera 1978-1984
2/18 Anchorage Community College 1971, 1980-1986
2/19 Anchorage Community Theatre 1984-1985
2/20 Anchorage Concert Association 1974, 1983
2/21 Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau 1981-1986
2/22 Anchorage Piano Co. 1984
2/23 Anchorage Symphony Orchestra Players Association 1980-1986
2/24 Anchorage Symphony Women’s League 1980-1986
2/25 Anchorage Symphony Women’s League season ticket committee 1984, 1986
2/26 Anchorage Welcome Service 1981, 1984
2/27 Article for Robert Craven’s book – Correspondence 1984
2/28 Arts Alaska 1984-1987
2/29 Auditions undated, 1982
2/30 Auditions for 1983-1984 season 1983
2/31 Auditions for 1984-1985 season 1984
2/32 Basically Bach Festival 1981-1987
2/33 Bean Public Relations 1982-1983
2/34 Box office statements 1978-1979
2/35 Boys and Girls Clubs of Alaska letter 1985
2/36 Broadcast Music, Inc. 1983-1985
2/37 Chevron correspondence 1980-1985
2/38 City Hall advisory committee 1980
2/39 Commissions 1981
2/40 Conductors 1980-1981
2/41 Documentary undated
2/42 Endorsement letters 1982-1983
2/43 Equipment loan 1983
2/44 Eva-Tone Soundsheets, Inc., includes 17 33 1/3 RPM “Soundsheets”/Flexidisks, 1 of which is of Anchorage Symphony Orchestra 1984
2/45 Expo ’74 – World’s Fair in Spokane, includes photograph 1972-1974
2/46 Exxon correspondence 1980-1986
2/47 Fairbanks Symphony. 1980-1984
2/48 Finance – Concert costs 1983-1984
2/49 First Federal Savings -Anchorage Symphony Orchestra ticket outlet 1978-1980
2/50 Fred Astaire Studios undated, 1985
2/51 Fundraising 1966-1969
2/52 Fundraising 1981-1983, 1986
2/53 Fur Rendezvous 1985
2/54 General manager position undated, 1979
2/55 Graphix West 1979-1982
2/56 Homer Council on the Arts 1983
2/57 Hospitality 1981-1983
2/58 Hutton, E.F. 1985
2/59 Instrument insurance – Bailey, Martin & Fay 1979-1981
2/60 Insurance policy – Rollins Burdick Hunter 1975-1983
2/61 Insurance policy – Marine Office Appleton & Cox Corp. 1974-1975
2/62 Jake Jacobson Enterprises 1983-1984
2/63 KAKM 1980-1985
2/64 KBYR 1981
2/65 KFQD 1981
2/66 KHAR 1980-1981
2/67 KIMO 1981
2/68 KSKA 1980-1985
2/69 KTUU 1983
2/70 Lease – Old City Hall 1981-1983
2/71 Logo registration 1984
2/72 Long-range planning meeting 1980 May
2/73 Long-range planning 1982
2/74 Mailing lists 1981-1982
2/75 Marketing coordinator 1982-1983
2/76 Master-class workshop 1979
2/77 Media contacts and publicity releases 1978-1980
2/78 Meet the Composer, Inc. 1983-1984
2/79 Microage Computer Store 1984
2/80 Multivisions 1980-1981
2/81 Murray/Bradley, Inc. 1981, 1985
2/82 Musical America 1981
3/1 Musicians rolls 1980-1983
3/2 National Bancorp of Alaska annual report 1986
3/3 National Committee for Symphony Orchestra Support correspondence 1978-1979
3/4 Northland Systems, Inc. 1984
3/5 Office equipment 1981-1983
3/6 Old City Hall 1980-1981
3/7 Performing Arts Center (University of Alaska Anchorage/Anchorage Community College) facility use 1976-1982
3/8 Personnel policies undated
3/9 Promotion 1981-1982
3/10 Tape sales – Massound Productions 1979
3/11 University of Alaska, Anchorage community affiliation undated
3/12 Viennese Waltz Night 1975
3/13 Western Opera Theatre circa 1974

Series 5: Programs and season brochures; 1970-1987. 0.2 cubic feet.
Arranged chronologically by material type.

Box/Folder Description Dates
3/14 Programs: Pops Concerts 1968, 1970
3/15 Programs: 1971-1972 season 1971-1972
3/16 Programs: Bettie McDonald, soloist 1971 February 4-6
3/17 Programs: Concerts in Anchorage, Kodiak, and Homer 1971 March 4-7
3/18 Programs: Fairview School concert 1972 February 6
3/19 Programs 1973
3/20 Programs: Chamber Music Concert 1974 March 8
3/21 Programs: Fredell Lack, soloist 1974 October 26
3/22 Programs: Pops Concert 1974 November
3/23 Programs: Zaven Tashjian, soloist 1975 February 21
3/24 Programs: Anchorage Chamber Symphony 1975 March 7
3/25 Programs 1976
3/26 Programs (incomplete): Dona Lee Croft, soloist 1976 December 3-4
3/27 Programs: Aldo Mancineill, soloist 1977 March 25-26
3/28 Programs: Jack Glatzer, soloist 1977 December 2-3
3/29 Programs: Gloria Marinacci, soloist 1978 February 24-25
3/30 Programs: James Johnson, soloist 1978 March 24-25
3/31 Programs: 1978-1979 season 1978-1979
3/32 Programs: Chamber Symphony 1979 January 19
3/33 Programs: Rosemary Glyde, soloist 1979 February 23-24
3/34 Programs: Bettie McDonald, soloist 1979 March 23-24
3/35 Programs: 1979-1980 season 1979-1980
3/36 Programs: Anchorage Chamber Symphony 1980 February 1
3/37 Programs: Nathaniel Rosen and Paul Rosenthal, soloists 1980 November 21-22
3/38 Programs: “Words and Music 1981 January 23-24
3/39 Programs: Orchestra with Anchorage Community Chorus 1981 April 10-11
3/40 Programs: Anchorage Chamber Symphony 1981 May 21
3/41 Programs: Carmen Dragon, conductor – Kathy Knight, soloist circa 1981-1982
3/42 Programs: Richard Buckley, conductor 1981 December 12
3/43 Programs: Jeff Holland Cook, conductor – Janet Marie Flanagan, soloist 1982 January 22-23
3/44 Programs: Viennese Waltz Night 1982 May 1
3/45 Programs: Ani Kavafian, soloist 1985 November 22-23
3/46 Programs: Nancy Allen and Carol Wincenc, soloists 1986 February 14-15
3/47 Programs undated, 1958-1964
3/48 Season brochure 1974-1975
3/49 Season brochure 1980-1981
3/50 Season brochure 1982-1983
3/51 Season brochure 1983-1984
3/52 Season brochure 1984-1985
3/53 Season brochures 1986-1987
3/54 Program and brochure examples 1982-1983

Series 6: Financial records; 1953-1988. 1.0 cubic foot.
Arranged by material type.

Box/Folder Description Dates
3/55 Budgets 1975-1978
3/56 Budgets 1983-1987
3/57 Financial statements 1966-1970
3/58 Financial statements 1971-1972
3/59 Financial statements 1974-1975
3/60 Financial statements 1975-1976
5/61 Financial statements 1976-1981
3/62 Financial statements 1982-1983
3/63 Financial statements 1983-1984
3/64 Financial statements 1984-1985
3/65 Financial statements 1985-1986
3/66 Financial statements 1986-1987
3/67 Financial statements 1987-1988
3/68 Account ledgers 1966-1975
3/69 Account and general ledgers 1969-1979
3/70 Financial journal 1969-1979
3/71 Account ledgers 1980 September-December
3/72 Account ledgers 1981 January-April
4/1 Cash receipts ledger 1974-1975
4/2 Check register 1973 September-1975 April
4/3 Check register 1975 April-1976 September
4/4 Check register 1976 October-1977 October
4/5 Check register 1977 November-1979 May
4/6 Check register 1979 February-1980 November
4/7 Check register 1980 November -1981 August
4/8 Check register 1981 September-1982 February
4/9 Check register 1981 September-1982 June
4/10 Check register 1982 July-1983 March
4/11 Check register 1984 February-November
4/12 Receipts (income) 1974-1975
4/13 Receipts (income) 1975-1976
4/14 Receipts (income) 1976-1977
4/15 Receipts 1977-1978
4/16 Chart of accounts 1980
4/17 Donations 1966
4/18 Financial Management for the Arts by Charles A. Nelson and Frederick J. Turk 1975
4/19 Johnson, Morgan & Co. audit reports 1981-1985
4/20 Other financial records 1966-1976
4/21 Musician’s wages increase projections circa 1984
4/22 Non-profit status records 1953-1986
4/23 Ticket prices report circa 1984
4/24 Grants – Alaska State Council on the Arts (general) 1973-1977
4/25 Grants – Alaska State Council on the Arts Audience Development Project administrative support 1978-1980
4/26 Grants – ARCO 1975-1985
4/27 – 4/35 Grants – Municipality of Anchorage 1977-1981
4/36 Grants – National Endowment for the Arts 1970-1986

Series 7: Newspaper clippings; 1968-1987.  0.5 cubic feet.
Arranged chronologically.

Box/Folder Description Dates
4/37 Clippings (general) undated
4/38 – 4/48, 5/1-5/8 Clippings (general) 1968-1987
5/9 Clippings about the new Performing Arts Center 1987

Series 8: Other records; 1972-1995. 0.5 cubic feet.
Arranged alphabetically.

Box/Folder Description Dates
5/10 Anchorage Symphony Orchestra: 1946 through 1996 – 50 Years of Excellence by Kathy Pierce, edited by Stephen Haycox 1995
5/11 Anchorage Symphony participation survey results undated
5/12 Box office statements undated, 1979-1980
5/13 “Goals of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra” draft statement undated
5/14 “History of the Anchorage Symphony” statement 1982
5/15 Contracts and agreements 1974-1976
5/16 Notes undated
5/17 Press releases 1984-1986
5/18 Publicity materials for guest artists, includes photographs 1983-1984
Box 6 Publicity materials – 4 reels of color 16mm moving image publicity films regarding Carmer Dragon, guest conductor circa 1981
5/19 Publicity materials – Other 1972-1987
5/20 Publicity materials – Young People’s Concerts 1975
5/21 Schedules of concerts and rehearsals 1973-1978
5/22 Talent Bank Catalog directory of human resources for Alaska education 1975 March
5/23 Ticket and attendance reports 1980-1978
5/24 Tickets 1976-1978
5/25 “What is the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra?” circa 1981
5/26 “What is the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra?” draft circa 1982

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