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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Oratorio Society of Queens Records
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Oratorio Society of Queens, 1927- | |
| Title | Guide to the Oratorio Society of Queens Records, | |
| Dates: | 1927-2002 | |
| Abstract: | The Oratorio Society of Queens Records (8 boxes, 5 cubic feet, 1927-2002) document the creation and existence of a singing society from its roots as the Oratorio Society of Flushing to the borough-wide, Oratorio Society of Queens. The records are in the form of Attendance Books (1 folder, 1947-1955, 1965-1966), Awards (1 folder, 4 items, 1967, 1983-1987), Board of Directors’ Meeting Minutes (9 folders, 1927-1983), Membership (2 folders, 1927-1930, 1964-2002), Correspondence (5 folders, 1927-1959), Programs (9 folders, 1927-1999), Rubber Stamps, “Oratorio Society of Flushing” (4 stamps, ca. 1927-ca. 1950), and Scrapbooks (4 books, 4 folders, 1927-2002.) | |
| Extent: | 8 boxes, 5 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | O-2 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Society, originally known as the Oratorio Society of Flushing, was founded in 1927. The idea of a community based mixed voice chorus, dedicated to sharing the aesthetic values oratorio music expresses, was conceived by Mrs. Edward Keefe as Queens’ answer to the New York Oratorio Society. Mrs. Keefe was initially assisted by John W. Norton, organist and choirmaster of St. George’s Episcopal Church and Edward M. Franklin, a leading layman of the church.
The charter members were an enthusiastic and dedicated group drawn from Flushing’s several old, prominent families, among the most esteemed and respected in New York City. In keeping with the democratic spirit historically associated with Flushing, membership was open to all. Among other members was Bertha Parsons, the last owner-resident of Bowne House before it was opened as a museum of early Flushing. On May 12, 1927 a chorus of 100 voices directed by John Norton performed Mendelsohn’s “Hymn of Praise” to critical acclaim before an audience of 900 at Flushing High School. The Society’s characteristic feeling of good fellowship and loyalty started at inception and continued throughout.
There would be carol singing at Flushing Hospital, after which the singers would sing at a founder’s home and partake of a lovely party in the festively decorated house. Local merchants provided financial support and articles for door prizes at fund raising events. The Society was supported by member dues, subscribers, bake sales and fund raising dinners. Mrs. Maude Wilson was made an honorary member in the early 1930's because she contributed the entire proceeds of her Annual Party and Dahlia Flower Show to the Society. Fund raising was always a necessity even though concert accompaniment was originally by organ or piano.
The chorus, subsequently conducted by Herbert Sammond, and later by Lawrence Rasmussen, performed two major concerts a year until 1943, when Mr. Rasmussen was called to service in World War II. Rehearsals were suspended until 1946 when Mr. Rasmussen returned. David Katz (founder of the Queens Symphony) succeeded Mr. Rasmussen in ensuing years, dispelling the notion that the works of the great masters are too deep and profound for the average person to understand and appreciate. By the Society’s seventy-fifth anniversary in 2003, Maestro David Close had, for thirty years, successfully continued the traditions established by the founding members.
The expansion to full orchestra accompaniment with professional vocal soloists created the need for increased funding. Although continuing its annual Fund Raising Dinner each April, the Society depends upon grants from corporate and public funds in addition to traditional ticket sales and subscriptions.
In 1985 the Society changed its name to the Oratorio Society of Queens in recognition of membership deriving from all parts of Queens. The entire Borough was learning that one need not travel to Manhattan for classical music, one could go to St. Andrew Avellino Church, the Reformed Temple of Forest Hills, Trinity Lutheran Church, Christ the King High School, Flushing Meadows - Corona Park under the Unisphere, Seuffert Bandshell in Forest Park, Bayside High School, Colden Center or various venues in Brooklyn and Long Island. The Society appeared at the 1940 World’s Fair and in later years at Lincoln Center. For its seventy-fifth anniversary the Society performed Verdi’s Requiem with the Queens Symphony at Queensboro Community College.
The Oratorio Society’s reputation for near professional sound and attitude has garnered the respect of all who have heard the group. At weekly rehearsals Maestro Close has carefully trained the group of amateur singers to achieve excellence. Drawn from all sectors of society, the common bond of love of music keeps all members united in purpose. Members come from Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and even Nassau County. The roster includes active and retired educators, lawyers, health professionals, engineers, homemakers, secretaries, writers, librarians, artists and actors, people from all walks of New York City life. In addition to singing a high percentage of members commit themselves to the demanding administrative and fund raising tasks required to maintain the momentum necessary to ensure the success of each concert season.
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Scope and Content Note
The Oratorio Society of Queens Records (8 boxes, 5 cubic feet, 1927-2002) document the creation and existence of a singing society from its roots as the Oratorio Society of Flushing to the borough-wide, Oratorio Society of Queens. The records are in the form of Attendance Books (1 folder, 1947-1955, 1965-1966), Awards (1 folder, 4 items, 1967, 1983-1987), Board of Directors’ Meeting Minutes (9 folders, 1927-1983), Membership (2 folders, 1927-1930, 1964-2002), Correspondence (5 folders, 1927-1959), Programs (9 folders, 1927-1999), Rubber Stamps, “Oratorio Society of Flushing” (4 stamps, ca. 1927-ca. 1950), and Scrapbooks (4 books, 4 folders, 1927-2002).
The series, and sub series are arranged in alphabetical order, and the folders’ contents are arranged in chronological order. The following is the description of the series’ and their sub divisions’ contents that cannot be discerned from the Inventory and not all of them are described. Therefore, the Scope and Content Note and the Inventory must be used in conjunction for a complete accounting of the records.
This is a growing collection with periodic donations from the society. The new donations will be added to the appropriate series or sub series. New series and sub series will be created when needed.
The Board of Directors’ Meeting Minutes (9 folders, 1927-1983) series contains the minutes to the society’s Board of Directors. They document the creation and functioning of the society. The issues discussed and recorded at these meetings were the creation of the society and by-laws, financial issues, dues, election of officers, hiring of conductors and soloists, and where and when to sing. Also included in these records are the treasury reports.
The Correspondence (5 folders, 1927-1959) series contains the letters to and from the society and supporting documents. Documented in the correspondence are the solicitation of members and funds, the organizing of productions, hiring conductors and soloists, locating rehearsal space and the many letters of congratulations.
The Scrapbooks (4 books, 4 folders, 1927-2002) series contain clippings, programs, photographs, correspondence and ephemera. They document the society’s productions, the hiring of soloists and conductors and the make-up of the board. The scrapbooks are filled with articles that appeared regularly in Queens’ newspapers including the: Long Island Star, Long Island Star-Journal and the Long Island Press.
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Arrangement
The series and sub series are in alphabetical order and the contents of the folders are in chronological order.
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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 Oratorio Society of Queens Records, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library
Provenance
The society donated the records to the Queens Borough Public Library in 2003.
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 show their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card. 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:
- Oratorio Society of Flushing
- Oratorio Society of Queens, 1927-
Subject Topics:
- Choral societies
Subject Places:
- Flushing (New York, N.Y.)
- Queens (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
