LA CROSSE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, INC. (La Crosse, Wis.). RECORDS, 1898-1996 (BULK 1947-1994). 5.6 cubic feet (12 archives boxes and one large flat box)

Abstract

Records of the La Crosse (Wis.) Symphony Orchestra, Inc., that include concert programs, newspaper clippings, meeting minutes of the Board and various committees, and photographic images.

Before 1947, many attempts at starting a community orchestra in La Crosse had failed, but the current La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Inc., has continually operated since the dissolution of the La Crosse Vocational Civic Symphony Orchestra in 1947.

Some information on other predecessor orchestras is also included in the collection; namely the Cathedral Orchestra, La Crosse Philharmonic Orchestra, La Crosse Vocational Civic Symphony Orchestra, and La Crosse Symphony Orchestra.

Acc. No. 1997/3
Some programs donated by Linda Sherwood of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and photographs of Rudolph Kreutz donated by Barbara Schutter of Richmond, Indiana, via Charles E. Haas, Jan. 1997
Acc. No. 1997/8
Donated by the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Inc., via Charles E. Haas, March 1997
Processed by Anita Taylor Doering, with assistance from Jaime Dechant and Bill Petersen, May 1997

History

The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Inc., was incorporated on May 1, 1947, and was a direct descendant of the La Crosse Vocational Civic Symphony Orchestra. Other predecessor orchestras used the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra name and these existed at least in 1898, 1932, and 1938.

For a complete history of the orchestra and its musical predecessors, refer to the comprehensive history by Charles E. Haas, A History of the Development of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, 1898 to 1993 (La Crosse, WI : C.E. Haas), 1997.

Scope and Content

The collection has been categorized into ADMINISTRATIVE FILES, CONCERT SEASON FILES, PHOTOGRAPHIC & SOUND IMAGES, and RELATED ORGANIZATIONS.

The ADMINISTRATIVE FILES include by-laws (1947-1992), financial materials (1966-1994), historical background, season ticket holders (1964-1982; 1990), copies of contracts with the local musicians' union (1964-1985), and some newsletters (1980-1981; 1990; 1994-1996).

The second series CONCERT SEASONS FILES includes newspaper articles, programs, board and committee minutes, board correspondence, and other documents, arranged by season. The season ran from July-June each year. These files also include documents generated by the search process when hiring replacement conductors, and occasionally conductor contracts will also be included in these files. Box 13 includes some oversize posters and newspaper pages.

PHOTOGRAPHIC & SOUND IMAGES basically include promotion photographs of guest artists, but also include photographs of a few board members, conductors, and symphony members. A few oversize group portraits are also included here. A few newspaper clippings are also interspersed here.

Lastly, the RELATED ORGANIZATIONS series consists of newspaper clippings, programs, and other miscellaneous items relating to predecessor musical groups in La Crosse. The most prominent include the Cathedral Orchestra, La Crosse Philharmonic Orchestra, La Crosse Vocational Civic Symphony Orchestra, and La Crosse Symphony Orchestra (pre 1947).