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Creator
Symphony of the New World (New York, N.Y.)
Call number
Sc MG 171
Physical description
4.58 linear feet (8 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
[Item], Symphony of the New World records, Sc MG 171, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library
Repository
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

The Symphony of the New World was founded in 1964 by an interracial committee of professional musicians to provide opportunities for minorities, particularly black and Puerto Rican musicians, who were being discriminated against by the major symphonies. The Symphony of the New World Records reflect some of the activities of this orchestra.

Biographical/historical information

The Symphony of the New World (SNW) was founded in 1964 by an interracial committee of professional musicians to provide opportunities for minorities, particularly black and Puerto Rican musicians, who were being discriminated against by the major symphonies. It claimed to be the first "fully integrated symphonic orchestra in the United States." Many African-American conductors were introduced via the SNW, which also featured works by minority composers as well as a standard repertoire of symphonic music and contemporary works. The Symphony of the New World ceased functioning in 1978 due to financial difficulties.

Scope and arrangement

The Symphony of the New World Records reflect some of the activities of this orchestra. The Administration series includes files for music director Everett Lee, which are composed of biographical information and correspondence. The general correspondence concerns performances, bookings, financial matters, and auditions. The bulk of the material in the Administration series contains publicity information about musicians, vocalists, and conductors who sought to perform with the orchestra.

The Performances series consists primarily of programs and playbills for concerts that the orchestra performed in New York as well as program notes, reviews, and announcements in newspapers. Compositions can be found in the Music series. A few of the compositions were written especially for the Symphony of the New World by black composers. Of particular interest is the holograph music and copyist's score for "Till Victory is Won" (1967), an opera in four episodes with prologue (music by Mark Fax and poem authored by Owen Dodson originally written for Howard University). Among other scores that form part of this series are Edward Boatner's "Troubled in Mind"; "Forbidden Love: An Afro-American Slave Musical", 1970 (photocopy); "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra", by William Foster McDaniel, 1975 (photocopy); and the copyist's score for viola and violin 2 of "Visions of Ishwara", by Rasul Talib Hakim (a.k.a. Stephen Chambers).

The Symphony of the New World records are arranged in three series:

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift, Symphony of the New World and Friends of Symphony of the New World, 1982 and 1988.

Processing information

Processed by Janice Quinter, 2008.

Separated material

Transferred to the Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division: audio material. For more information, please contact the division at schomburgaudiovisual@nypl.org or 212-491-2270.

Transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division: 34 photographs and one print box of photographs.

Using the collection

Location

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801
Second Floor