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Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra Scrapbooks and Photographs

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2188

  • Staff Only

The material in this collection is primarily related to the formation of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra. Although the collection spans the years of 1943 to 1971, the bulk of the collection consists of two scrapbooks kept by Waldo E. Cohn which documents the creation and the early years of the orchestra between 1943 and 1949.

These scrapbooks include letters, newspaper clippings, photographs, copies of photographs, programs, sheet music, tickets, and awards.

Dates

  • 1943-1971

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 flat box)

Abstract

The material in this collection is primarily related to the formation of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra. Although the collection spans the years of 1943 to 1971, the bulk of the collection consists of two scrapbooks kept by Waldo E. Cohn which documents the creation and the early years of the orchestra between 1943 and 1949.

Biographical/Historical Note

The earliest roots of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, Tennessee's oldest continuing symphony, began in 1943 when Waldo Cohn arrived in Oak Ridge to work at the National Laboratory. Cohn organized a small group of musicians to play chamber music in his living room. Once the group had grown too large for Cohn's house, they began to meet in a local high school auditorium. The Oak Ridge String Symphonette gave its first concert with Cohn as conductor on June 16, 1944. The Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra formed later that summer, and the first full-fledged symphony concert was performed in November 1944. Cohn served as the orchestra's conductor for eleven years.

Arrangement

Collection consists of three folders in a single box.

Acquisition Note

This collection was donated in 2000.

Related Materials

Interested researchers may wish to consult: MS.2535, Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra History VHS Tape & Transcript (1997).

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480