Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Records

Collection

Identifier: Mss 3055

Staff Only

Scope and Content

Papers

Scope and Contents The collection contains correspondence between board members and donrs; board meeting minutes; budget reports, programs from events, and a historical booklet detailing the history and 50th anniversary of the orchestra.

Dates

1940-1981

Creator

Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. (Organization)

Condition Description

Good

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the Institute.

Biography

The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony has been on the community as early as 1912 when a group of forty musicians, led by Harry Rudd, accompanied a Norwegian Sangerfest. It was in 1917 that the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, led by A. J. Stevens presented its first concert. In 1931, Agnes Jardine called together support for a community orchestra that was named the Fargo Civic Orchestra with Harry Rudd as the conductor.

In 1937, Sigvald Thompson would become the conductor of the Fargo-Moorhead Civic Orchestra and would lead them for the next thirty-seven years. During those early years, the orchestra membership ranged between twenty-eight and sixty members. Several different locations around the two cities were used for the one to three concerts held annually. These concerts, through the fundraising efforts of the board were always free. As the 1940s came to a close, the membership in the Orchestra swelled to around eighty members.

Sigvald Thompson would go on to serve as conductor until 1974 when J. Robert Hanson took over. His time with the Orchestra lasted until 1990 when Joel Revzen took on the position. He was the conductor until 2002. In 2003, Bernard Rubenstein took over and was the conductor who presided over the 75th anniversary celebrations. In June of 2013, Christopher Zimmerman was chosen as the music director.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra Association records document the correspondence, board meeting minutes, programs, and events of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony.