Minnesota Orchestra Archives collection
The Minnesota Orchestra Archives are a large special collection within the Performing Arts Archives.
About the Minnesota Orchestra Archives
The Minnesota Orchestral Association Archives, part of the Performing Arts Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries, are among the most complete of any major symphony in the country. The Minnesota Orchestra, known as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1903 until 1968, began depositing its records at the University in 1977. Since that time, the collection has received additional material annually. The archives contain scrapbooks that detail the first fifty years of Orchestra history; correspondence from several offices within the Association; thousands of photographs of conductors, guest artists, staff and board members; financial records; programs and other publications; and recordings in a variety of formats.
In addition, there are subgroups of material relating to the construction of Orchestra Hall in 1973-74; extensive documentation of tours conducted by the orchestra throughout the United States and the world (the Orchestra has been called the "Orchestra on Wheels"); and numerous special events including anniversary celebrations, Metropolitan Opera appearances, Sommerfest, and Cabaret Pops. More detailed information about the Orchestra's archives are available in the Collection Summary, in the Series List.
Collection summary
This summary describes the series and major sub-series within the collection. Dates represent the inclusive dates of materials in each group. Linked from this page are complete finding aids for most series. Complete finding aids for these collections are available in printed form in the archives. Please contact the Performing Arts Archives with questions or for additional information. For historical information about the Minnesota Orchestra see their Web site, Minnesota Orchestra: Mission and History.
- Series 1: Board of Directors
- Series 2: President's Office Records
- Series 3: Music Director
- Series 4: General Manager
- Series 5: Departments
- Series 6: Special Events & Projects
- Series 7: Buildings & Related Materials
- Series 8: WAMSO Files
- Series 9: Scrapbooks & Clippings
- Series 10: Publications
- Series 11: Photographs, Slides, Negatives
- Series 12: Audio and Video Recordings
- Series 13: Posters & Realia
- Series 14: Historical Materials
Related collections
These collections are not actually part of the Orchestra's archives but are from people that were associated with the Orchestra sometime during their career and who donated their collections to the Orchestra's archives.
- Arthur J. Gaines Photograph Collection (PA012A)
- Dottie Carpenter Photograph Collection (PA012B)
- Steve Zellmer Collection of Minnesota Orchestra (PA012C)
- Elbert L. Carpenter Collection (PA012D)
- Mrs. H.A. Wilson Scrapbook (PA012E)
- Danz Family Papers (PA012F)
- Mary La Grange Scrapbook (PA012G)
- Harry H. Maddy and Rhadames John Angelucci Collection (PA012H)
- Ray Fitch Memoirs (PA012I)
- Gustav S. Janossy Music Books (PA012K)
- Henry Denecke, Jr. Interview Recordings and Transcripts(PA012L)
- Dorothy Cummings Collection (PA012M)
- Robert Aupperle Scrapbook and Clippings (PA012N)
- Jenny Cullen Collection (PA12O)
- Brian Newhouse Collection (PA012P)
- Carl Rudolph Collection (PA012Q)
- Jon Butler Collection of Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra Recordings (PA012S)
- WAMSO Encore Cookbook correspondence and manuscript (Mss016)
- John Kurtz Sherman Papers (PA004)
- Minneapolis Muscians Association records (PA037)
- Friends of the Minnesota Orchestra Records (PA067)
- Young People's Symphony Concert Association collection (PA051)
- William R. Trotter Collection (PA071)