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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Bayside Glee Club Records
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Bayside Glee Club | |
| Title | Bayside Glee Club Records | |
| Dates: | 1945-1956 | |
| Abstract: | The Bayside Glee Club, a male chorus, was originally organized on September 12, 1944 as the Glee Club of the Sacred Heart Church of Bayside. For the most part, the Bayside Glee Club Records consist of printed materials such as news bulletins issued by the club and copies of special anniversary journals. The period encompassed is ca. 1945-1956. | |
| Extent: | 1 box, .5 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | B-4 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Bayside Glee Club, a male chorus, was originally organized on September 12, 1944 as the Glee Club of the Sacred Heart Church of Bayside. At the time of the formation of this club the church had been founded about 48 years. According to an article appearing in the May 10, 1951 issue of the Long Island Star-Journal, the club was founded by Charles P. Radley, an individual having not only an interest in choral singing and glee clubs, but also some professional background having sung in his youth with the famous Paulist Fathers Choir. Besides, Mr. Radley, the other original members were Walter Bernard, Louis J. Bousquet, Albert J. Bradley, Robert Ellenberg, Charles Hughes, Cyril Johnston, Irving Judd, Jr., Patrick Romanella, Joseph Schumm, Patrick Sheridan, David A. Walsh, and Paul Rourke. Mr. Radley was the group’s first president and held office for four years.
From the very beginning of its history, the club took on a professional aspect and various committees such as Committees on Music and Concert were formed. The first conductor of the group was Paul H. Burke with Arthur O’Leary as assistant and Thomas McNally as accompanist. Around 1950 Mr. Medley P. Ray became conductor. The club gave performances in various parts of the country and appeared on TV which at that time was in its infancy.
Sometime in 1949, the name of the club was changed to the Bayside Glee Club, the change probably reflecting the attraction to the organization of a much broader base than simply that represented by the Sacred Heart Church.
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Scope and Content Note
For the most part, the Bayside Glee Club Records consist of printed materials such as news bulletins issued by the club and copies of special anniversary journals. The period encompassed is ca. 1945-1956.
The first series News Bulletins or Flyers (350 items, 1945-1956) is the most numerous. These one page bulletins were usually issued on a weekly basis. Initially they were headed: To All Glee Club Members or to All Active and Associate Glee Club Members. Around 1946 they were labeled: Top Notes for Active and Associate Glee Club Members.
The second series, Special Notices, Announcements and Related Materials (125 items, 1945-1956) covers approximately the same period as the previous group. The format of these announcements is similar to the above in most instances. These special notices called attention to such events as outings, field days, dinners and the like.
The third series, Anniversary Journals (19 items 1945-1956) consists of special anniversary journals issued usually on a yearly basis and in conjunction with a special concert. Besides the usual advertisements found in this type of publication, names of club members and friends of the organization will be found.
The fourth series, Repertoire (40 items, 1948-1953, no date) is most likely very incomplete. As presently constituted, the series consists of some type written sheets of several songs (words, no music) some of which are marked as to the season in which they were sung, but the majority of which carrying no such designation.
General Correspondence (10 items, 1947-1954), the fifth series, is extremely fragmentary. For the most part it consists of letters addressed to the historian of the Club, Dr. Herbert Donovan. From some of these letters it is noted that Dr. Donovan was interested in preparing a history of the club (as noted previously). This collection may have come about as a result of the efforts of Dr. Donovan to gather pertinent materials for his contemplated history. Thus, it is quite possible that all items in the collection were once in Dr. Donovan’s possession.
Series six, Minutes of Meetings (20 items, 1950-1953) consists of typewritten minutes, presumably distributed to the membership.
The seventh series, Financial Statements (3 items, 1949-1954) is the most fragmentary series. It consists of typewritten sheets, presumably distributed to the membership indicating the financial condition of the Club.
The last series Miscellaneous (20 items, no date) contains such items as a typed membership directory, a blank application for membership, some memoranda, and a contract application with a musicians’ union.
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Arrangement
The records have been divided into the following series.
| News Bulletins or Flyers (350 items, 1945-1956) | |
| Special Notices, Announcements and Related Materials (125 items, 1945-1956) | |
| Anniversary Journals (19 items 1945-1956) | |
| Repertoire (40 items, 1948-1953, no date) | |
| General Correspondence (10 items, 1947-1954) | |
| Minutes of Meetings (20 items, 1950-1953) | |
| Financial Statements (3 items, 1949-1954) | |
| Miscellaneous (20 items, no date) |
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a
photograph its control number. The Bayside Glee Club Records, Archives at Queens
Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
Though it is difficult to determine with accuracy all or nearly all of the materials in this collection were once originally owned by Dr. Herbert Donovan who held the office of Historian of the Society.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770
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Access Points
Subject Organizations:
- Bayside Glee Club
Subject Places:
- Bayside (New York, N.Y.)
Subject Topics:
- Glee clubs
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
