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 |
| 1/101 | Anchorage Symphony | 1995 November |
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 |