Marion and Clarissa Cumbo papers

1882-1989

The Marion and Clarissa Cumbo papers date from 1882 through the 1980s, and are organized into four groups, Professional Files; Correspondence; Printed Matter; and Personal Files.

Professional Files include materials related to the Cumbos' businesses, arranged by founding date. There are files for Symphony of the New World, Triad Productions, Marion Cumbo's piano tuning work, and various other organizations that the Cumbos were a part of. The Cumbos kept address books and calendars for all of their professional activities.

The Symphony of the New World files were compiled and produced while Clarissa Cumbo founded the charity, Friends of the Symphony of the New World, in the 1960s. Included are Administrative Files; Correspondence; and Printed Materials. The Administrative files contain the by-laws, financial materials, and board of directors' meeting minutes. Correspondence consists of letters from musicians who played with the symphony, fundraising letters to supporting members, and administrative conversations between Clarissa Cumbo and other staff. The letters are filed alphabetically by last name. The printed materials are arranged chronologically and contain programs and clippings.

The Triad Productions files date from 1908 to the 1980s, and hold materials compiled by Clarissa Cumbo. Most of the files are from 1970 to 1984, when Clarissa Cumbo was president of the organization. Materials include Administrative Files; Correspondence; Performer Subject Files; Programs; and Clippings. Administrative records hold by-laws, financial papers, board minutes, and other official documentation created by the non-profit. The correspondence files include letters from supporters of Triad, and are filed alphabetically by last name. There are subject files for several artists who worked with or wanted to work with Triad. The artist files contain clippings, resumes, and correspondence with the artist or their management. The programs, which are filed chronologically, are contemporary billings organized by Triad in the 1970s and 1980s.

Correspondence files date from 1902 through the 1980s. The files are arranged into General and Family correspondence. The material in the general grouping is correspondence that was not with family or directly related to Clarissa Cumbo's work with Symphony of the New World or Triad Productions. Most letters in this group are from friends or other musicians, and are filed alphabetically by the sender's last name.

Family Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by the sender's last name. Notable correspondence includes letters from Marion's mother, Maggie Cumbo to her sister Lilla [Hurst], shortly before Maggie's death. A letter from Maggie and Lilla Cumbo's mother, who they gave the nickname "Toma." The majority of the material in these files are letters between Marion and Clarissa Cumbo, and dates from early in their marriage while touring or otherwise apart. There are also letters from Marion's father, William Cumbo; siblings; nieces; nephews; and grandchildren located here.

Printed Material contains sheet music, programs, and clippings from the 1900s through the 1980s. Sheet music is arranged alphabetically by composer's last name. Programs and clippings are grouped separately, and placed in chronological order. The sheet music was used by Marion and Clarissa Cumbo, and some were annotated or handwritten by Marion Cumbo. Most of the arrangements are classical music to be performed by the cello, but there are some more contemporary arrangements, including some popular American songs with lyrics. Performance Programs are from productions that were not explicitly staged by Symphony of the New World or Triad Productions. This includes performances by Marion Cumbo and friends. The clippings held here are mostly articles about Marion Cumbo and other musicians, but do not relate to the Cumbos' non-profit work.

The Personal files date from the 1920s until 1983, and are arranged into files about Marion and Clarissa, and files about their son, William (Bill) Cumbo. Marion and Clarissa Cumbo's files include biographical information, financial documents, and clippings. Biographical files include their marriage certificate and various official documents. William Cumbo's files contain schoolwork and notes from his traffic enforcer job.