Summary Information
Pittsburgh Symphony Society Records
AIS.1966.16
Pittsburgh Symphony Society.
1927-1964
14.75 linear feet (7 boxes; 21 oversized ledgers and scrapbooks)
Language: English
Abstract: The Pittsburgh Symphony Society was formed in 1927 to support the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. This collection consists of organizational records, committee activities, contracts, active and inactive Society membership cards, brochures, advertisements, financial records and ledgers, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings.
ULS Archives Service Center
University of Pittsburgh Library System
7500 Thomas Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA, 15260
412-648-3232
archives-ref@mail.pitt.edu
October 2009
Finding aid prepared by Wendy Pflug
History
The Pittsburgh Symphony Society emanated from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to support, encourage, and promote further interest in the arts. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra was originally formed in 1895 and disbanded due to financial difficulties in 1910. It was 1926 before the orchestra was reestablished with its members rehearsing for no fee and each musician contributed money to make a new season in 1927 possible. The Pittsburgh Symphony Society was formed in 1927 to administer the daily tasks associated with running a symphony. The Society raised funds in order to maintain an orchestra by actively soliciting corporate and individual members, running the box office, and careful accounting. The Society was also responsible for arranging contracts between musicians and conductors, along with program advertisers. The Pittsburgh Symphony Society sought to raise the profile of the symphony promoting performances in local publications, through advertisements and announcements. In order to instill a life-long appreciation of music, the Society organized frequent Young People's Concerts for local school children. The Pittsburgh Symphony Society’s primary goal was to promote and financially support the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. It achieved world wide renown and recognition, often appearing in national and international publications to great acclaim.
Collection Scope and Content Notes
This collection contains financial records, organization records, contracts, operational material on the Pittsburgh Symphony and active and inactive Society membership cards, financial campaign material, scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, committee activities, advertisements, and memorabilia.
Arrangement
Series I. Administrative Files, 1927-1959
Series II. Press Files, 1928-1955
Series III. Financial Files, 1934-1964
Series IV. Membership Files, 1927-1958
Series V. Scrapbooks, 1943-1956
Subject Terms
- Musical groups -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- American Federation of Musicians. Local 60 (Pittsburgh, Pa).
- Pittsburgh Opera (Pa.).
- Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
- Pittsburgh Symphony Society.
- Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Social life and customs
Access and Use
No restrictions.
Gift of John Edwards on September 9, 1966.
Pittsburgh Symphony Society Records, 1927-1964, AIS.1966.16, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
This collection was reprocessed by Wendy Pflug in September 2009. It was originally processed by Archive Service Center staff in 1966.
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
American Federation of Musicians, Local 60-471 Records, 1906-1996, AIS.1997.41, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society Records, 1961-2009, AIS.1998.51, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Penn Theater, Pittsburgh, Pa., Records, 1927-1964, AIS.1968.06, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Collection Inventory
Series I. Administrative Files, 1927-1959
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Scope and Content Notes: The Administrative Files series contains information on the daily administration of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra by the Pittsburgh Symphony Society. Included in this series are documents on organizing special concerts for local school children, contracts with various musicians, along with programs, orchestra tour schedules, and tickets. Also included in this series is correspondence and notes from the Board of Directors, President, Vice President, Secretary, and Manager of the Pittsburgh Symphony Society. This Administrative Files series is arranged alphabetically.
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Box 1
| Folder |
1 |
Executive Board Remarks, 1936
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| Folder |
2 |
Executive Board of the Pittsburgh Symphony Society By-Laws, 1952
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| Folder |
3 |
Executive Board Memos, 1952
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| Folder |
4 |
Reports to the Board of Directors and Call for Meetings, 1952-1953
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| Folder |
5 |
Board of Directors Correspondence, 1954
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| Folder |
6 |
Board of Directors Petition to the Trustees of the Falk Foundation, undated
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| Folder |
7 |
Contract between Pittsburgh Symphony and American Federation of Musicians, Local 60 1950
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| Folder |
8 |
Contracts Soloists and Conductors, 1951-1954
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| Folder |
9 |
Contract with Pittsburgh Opera Society, 1953-1954
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| Folder |
10 |
Contracts with American Federation of Musicians, Local 60, 1953-1959
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| Folder |
11 |
Contracts with Soloists, 1954-1957
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| Folder |
12 |
Contracts with Program Advertisers, 1954-1956
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| Folder |
13 |
Contracts with Program Advertisers, 1956-1958
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| Folder |
14 |
Contracts with Soloists, 1957-1958
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| Folder |
15 |
Contracts with Program Advertisers, 1958-1959
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| Folder |
16 |
Conductor's Symposium, Notes and Photographs, 1958-1959
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| Folder |
17 |
Floor plans for Proposed Music Hall, 1939
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| Folder |
18 |
Manager, Edward Specter, 1936-1950
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| Folder |
19 |
Manager, William McKelvy Martin, Incoming Correspondence, 1954
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| Folder |
20 |
Manager, John S. Edward, Outgoing Correspondence, 1956
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| Folder |
21 |
Performance Program Notes for
Joan of Arc, 1953
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| Folder |
22 |
Pittsburgh Symphony Society Annual Meeting, 1954
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| Folder |
23 |
Pittsburgh Junior Symphony Audition Cards, 1953
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| Folder |
24 |
Pittsburgh Junior Symphony, 1953,1956
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| Folder |
25 |
Pittsburgh Symphony Society Campaign Letterhead, 1934
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| Folder |
26 |
Pittsburgh Symphony Society Envelope Letterhead, undated
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| Folder |
27 |
Pittsburgh Symphony Society Luncheon, 1952
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| Folder |
28 |
Pittsburgh Symphony Society Ticket Stubs, 1928-1931
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| Folder |
29 |
Pittsburgh Symphony Tour Schedule, 1951
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| Folder |
30 |
President, Mrs. William Maclay Hall, Correspondence, 1928-1930
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| Folder |
31 |
President, Charles Denby, Notes, 1952
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| Folder |
32 |
President, Charles Denby, Report to the Board of Directors 1952
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| Folder |
33 |
President, Charles Denby, Outgoing Correspondence, 1953-1956
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| Folder |
34 |
Programs, 1927-1954
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| Folder |
35 |
Programs, Concerts for High School Students, 1950-1951
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| Folder |
36 |
Program, Railroad Night at the Symphony, 1956
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| Folder |
37 |
Programs, Pittsburgh Orchestra Association Concert, 1944-1946
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| Folder |
38 |
Secretary, Richard J. Rauh, Correspondence, 1927
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| Folder |
39 |
Secretary Richard J. Rauh, Notes and Newspaper Clippings, 1952
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| Folder |
40 |
Vice-President, E.T. Weir, Incoming Correspondence, 1949
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| Folder |
41 |
Vice-President, E.T. Weir, Outgoing Correspondence, 1954
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| Folder |
42 |
Young People's Concert, 1939
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| Folder |
43 |
Young People's Concerts, 1954-1956
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| Folder |
44 |
Young People's Concerts, 1956
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| Folder |
45 |
Young People's Concerts, 1957-1958
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| Folder |
46 |
Young People's Concerts Questionnaire, 1958
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Box 2
| Folder |
1 |
Young People's Concert Seating Arrangement, 1961
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| Folder |
2 |
Young People's Concerts Promotional Material, undated
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| Folder |
3 |
Young People's Concerts Photographs, undated
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Series II. Press Files, 1928-1955
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Scope and Content Notes: The Press Files series contains material that publicized performances of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Included in this series are numerous newspaper clippings from local and national publications that show the popularity and renown of the symphony. The Press Files series also feature advertisement and announcements of symphony concerts. Of particular interest are a brief biography written by the Society on renowned conductor Fritz Reiner and press releases from Columbia Music on recording released of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performances. This series is arranged by year.
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| Folder |
4 |
Symphony Concert Flyers, 1928-1945
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| Folder |
5 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1928
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| Folder |
6 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1929
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| Folder |
7 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1929
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| Folder |
8 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1929
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| Folder |
9 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1929
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| Folder |
10 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1929
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| Folder |
11 |
Concert Flyer, 1929
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| Folder |
12 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1930-1931
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| Folder |
13 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1930-1931
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| Folder |
14 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1931-1932
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| Folder |
15 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1931-1932
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| Folder |
16 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1932-1933
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| Folder |
17 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1932-1933
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| Folder |
18 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1933-1934
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| Folder |
19 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1933-1934
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| Folder |
20 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1934-1935
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| Folder |
21 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1934-1935
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Box 3
| Folder |
1 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1934-1935
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| Folder |
2 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1934-1935
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| Folder |
3 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1935-1936
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| Folder |
4 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1935-1936
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| Folder |
5 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1936-1937
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| Folder |
6 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1936-1937
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| Folder |
7 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1937-1938
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| Folder |
8 |
Newspaper Clippings on Symphony Guest Artists, 1938
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| Folder |
9 |
Symphony Concert Flyers, 1938-1939
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| Folder |
10 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1938-1939
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| Folder |
11 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1939-1940
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Box 4
| Folder |
1 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1940-1941
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| Folder |
2 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1940-1941
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| Folder |
3 |
Symphony Advertisements, 1940-1950
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| Folder |
4 |
Symphony Newspaper Clippings and Advertisements, 1941-1943
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| Folder |
5 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1941-1942
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| Folder |
6 |
Fritz Reiner Biography and Newspaper Clippings, 1944-1945
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| Folder |
7 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1950-1952
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| Folder |
8 |
Symphony Press Releases, 1953-1954
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| Folder |
8 |
Symphony Concert Announcements, 1953-1954
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| Folder |
10 |
Press Releases for the Performance of Handel's
Messiah 1955
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| Folder |
11 |
High School Concerts Newspaper Clippings, undated
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| Folder |
12 |
Press Releases, undated
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Series III. Financial Files, 1934-1964
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Scope and Content Notes: This series chronicles the financial accounting of maintaining the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The Financial Files series includes information on various fundraising campaigns, contributions pledged, box office statements, and expenditure reports. This series also includes twelve oversized financial ledgers detailing cash receipts, disbursements, accounts, and payroll. The Financial Files series is arranged by year.
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| Folder |
13 |
Symphony Fundraising Campaign Dinner Program, 1934
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| Folder |
14 |
Bank Deposit Books, 1934-1939
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| Folder |
15 |
Symphony Budget, 1937-1938
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| Folder |
16 |
Symphony Fundraising Campaign Material, 1939, 1951
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| Folder |
17 |
Orchestra Tours Expenses, 1948-1950
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| Folder |
18 |
Symphony Fundraising Campaign Worker's Kit, 1950
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| Folder |
19 |
Orchestra Tours Expenses, 1950-1955
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| Folder |
20 |
Orchestra Fundraising Campaign, 1950-1951, 1954
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| Folder |
21 |
Box Office Statements, 1951-1952
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| Folder |
22 |
Symphony Fundraising Campaign Information, 1951-1952
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| Folder |
23 |
Comparative Operating Results, 1952-1957
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| Folder |
24 |
Box Office Statements, 1952-1953
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Box 5
| Folder |
1 |
Corporate Sponsors Gifts, 1952-1957
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| Folder |
2 |
Box Office Statements, 1953-1954
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| Folder |
3 |
Weekly Summary Expenditure Reports, 1953-1954
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| Folder |
4 |
Disbursement Statements, May to December, 1953
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| Folder |
5 |
Disbursement Statements, January to June, 1954
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| Folder |
6 |
Disbursement Statements, July to December, 1954
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| Folder |
7 |
Weekly Summary Expenditure Reports, 1954-1955
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| Folder |
8 |
Disbursement Statements, January to June, 1955
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| Folder |
9 |
Disbursement Statements, July to December, 1955
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| Folder |
10 |
Deficit, 1955-1956
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| Folder |
11 |
Contributions Pledged, 1955-1956
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| Folder |
12 |
Budget, 1955-1956
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| Folder |
13 |
Weekly Summary Expenditure Reports, 1955-1956
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| Folder |
14 |
Disbursement Statements, January to June, 1956
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| Folder |
15 |
Disbursement Statements, July to December, 1956
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| Folder |
16 |
Weekly Summary Expenditure Reports, 1956-1957
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| Folder |
17 |
Disbursement Statements, January to June, 1957
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| Folder |
18 |
Disbursement Statements, July to December, 1957
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Box 6
| Folder |
1 |
Weekly Summary Expenditure Reports, 1957-1958
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| Folder |
2 |
Disbursement Statements, January to June, 1958
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| Folder |
3 |
Disbursement Statements, July to December, 1958
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| Oversize |
Ledger 1 |
Cash Disbursements, June 1927- February, 1934
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| Oversize |
Ledger 2 |
Cash Receipts, June 1927- February 1944
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| Oversize |
Ledger 3 |
Account Book, March 1926- October 1926
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| Oversize |
Ledger 4 |
Account Book, June 1927- May 1934
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| Oversize |
Ledger 5 |
Account Book, June 1927- May 1939
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| Oversize |
Ledger 6 |
Account Book, May 1939- December 1946
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| Oversize |
Ledger 7 |
Cash Receipts, February 1944- June 1956
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| Oversize |
Ledger 8 |
Cash Disbursements, March 1944- June 1956
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| Oversize |
Ledger 9 |
Account Book, December 1946- April 1952
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| Oversize |
Ledger 10 |
Account Book, April 1952- January 1957
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| Oversize |
Ledger 11 |
Payroll Book, 1962-1963
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| Oversize |
Ledger 12 |
Check Register, 1962-1964
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Series IV. Membership Files, 1927-1958
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Scope and Content Notes: The Membership Files series details the various membership campaigns and drives lead by the Pittsburgh Symphony Society. Included in this series are index cards of season subscribers and correspondence with corporate sponsors, events planned and coordinated by the Pittsburgh Symphony Society Womem's Association. This series is arranged by year.
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| Folder |
4 |
Membership Campaign,
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| Folder |
5 |
Membership Cards, 1927-1929
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| Folder |
6 |
Correspondence to Members (Form Letter), 1927-1928, 1930
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| Folder |
7 |
Women’s Association Meeting Minutes, 1937
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| Folder |
8 |
Membership Campaign Drive, 1937
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| Folder |
9 |
Women’s Association Correspondence, 1938-1939
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| Folder |
10 |
Women’s Association Form Letters, 1938-1939, 1954-1955
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| Folder |
12 |
Women’s Association Reply Cards, 1939, 1954-1955
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| Folder |
12 |
Membership Campaign, 1943-1944
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| Folder |
13 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee List of Organizations, 1950
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| Folder |
14 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Prospective Donors 1950-1951
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| Folder |
15 |
Women's Association, Board of Directors Nominations, 1951
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| Folder |
16 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Draft of Proposed Letters, 1951-1952, 1955
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| Folder |
17 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Memos and Charts 1952
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| Folder |
18 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence, 1952
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| Folder |
19 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Luncheon, 1952
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| Folder |
20 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Lists of Amount Donated by Companies “A-D,” 1952-1953
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| Folder |
21 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Reports, 1952-1954
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| Folder |
22 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation, 1952-1953
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| Folder |
23 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “A-C,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
24 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “D-E,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
25 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “F-G,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
26 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “H-J,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
27 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “K-Mel,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
28 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “Mi-N,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
29 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “P,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
30 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “P,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
31 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “P-R,” 1952-1956
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Box 7
| Folder |
1 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “S-U,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
2 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence with Companies “W,” 1952-1956
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| Folder |
3 |
Women’s Association Correspondence, 1952, 1954-1955
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| Folder |
4 |
Women’s Association Membership List, 1952-1953
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| Folder |
5 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence, 1953
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| Folder |
6 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence, 1953
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| Folder |
7 |
Women’s Association Membership List, 1954-1955
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| Folder |
8 |
Men’s Committee Files, 1954
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| Folder |
9 |
Women’s Association Symphony Ball Committee Notes, 1954
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| Folder |
10 |
Women’s Association Symphony Ball Committee Notes, 1954
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| Folder |
11 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence, 1954
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| Folder |
12 |
Women’s Association Membership List by School Zones 1954-1955
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| Folder |
13 |
Membership Campaign Drive, 1954-1955
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| Folder |
14 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Notes, 1955-1956
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| Folder |
15 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence, 1955-1956
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| Folder |
16 |
Corporate Sponsorship Committee Correspondence, 1955-1956
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| Folder |
17 |
Women’s Committee Membership List, undated
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| Box |
8 |
Former Season Subscribers Cards, A-P, 1953-1958
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| Box |
9 |
Former Season Subscribers Cards, R-Z, 1953-1958
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| Box |
10 |
Corporate and Individual Contributors Cards, 1957
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| Box |
11 |
Individual Contributors Cards, 1957
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| Box |
12 |
Individual Contributors Cards, 1957
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| Box |
13 |
Individual Contributors Cards, 1958
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| Box |
14 |
Individual Contributors Cards, 1958
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Series V. Scrapbooks, 1943-1956
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Scope and Content Notes: This series features nine oversized scrapbooks of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performances and Pittsburgh Symphony Society activities. The scrapbooks are largely comprised of newspaper clippings and are arranged by date. The scrapbooks chronicling the activities of the Pittsburgh Symphony Society consist of form letter sent to member and memorabilia such as ticket stubs and pledge forms. The Scrapbook series is arranged by year.
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| Oversize |
Scrapbook 1 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1943-1944
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| Oversize |
Scrapbook 2 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1944-1945
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| Oversize |
Scrapbook 3 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1945-1946
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| Oversize |
Scrapbook 4 |
Fundraising Campaign 1947-1948
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| Oversize |
Scrapbook 5 |
Form Letters to Members, 1948-1949
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| Oversize |
Scrapbook 6 |
Fundraising Campaign Forms, 1947-1948
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| Oversize |
Scrapbook 7 |
Form Letters to Members, 1948-1949
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| Oversize |
Scrapbook 8 |
Fundraising Campaign Forms, 1950-1952
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| Oversize |
Scrapbook 9 |
Newspaper Advertisements, 1953
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