Perkins concert programs collection

Creator:

Perkins School for the Blind

Date Range:

1905-1999

Call Number:

AG122

Abstract:

Collection of materials related to musical performances at the Perkins School for the Blind (formerly Perkins Institution) including concerts, recitals, assemblies, glee club performances, Christmas concerts, Founders’ Day events, and a few theater performances. The collection is predominantly performance programs with many duplicates but also invitations, tickets, notes, clippings, correspondence, and letters of appreciation. The collections are more complete in the earlier years than the later on and contain little more than programs after the 1940s.

Extent:

3 linear feet

Language:

English

Processed by:

Perkins School for the Blind Archives; Historical note added by Susanna Coit, 2022.

Historical Note:

Samuel G. Howe, the first Director of Perkins, considered music as important as intellectual and physical education. Within a year of the school’s opening, a music teacher joined the two instructors that Howe brought with him from Europe. By 1873, Perkins had established a department for special instruction in music. The music library was vast, much of it in braille music notation.

Michael Anagnos, the second director, expanded the music program to include a small orchestra.

In 1907, Dr. Edward E. Allen became the third director of Perkins, and soon thereafter reorganized the music department, with a focus on the practical educational benefits of music study. The program continued to train aspiring music teachers, piano tuners, and a few exceptional musicians with professional potential. However, for the majority of Perkins students, the study of music mainly brought the cognitive and social benefits of a well-rounded education.

Perkins’ music program operated under this philosophy for many years, flourishing under the directorship of Dr. Farrell and Dr. Waterhouse. The choruses in both the Lower and Upper schools swelled with young voices, and the campus hallways echoed with refrains all year.

The Perkins community is treated to musical performances by students during the holidays, graduation, and special assemblies. Voice and instrumental lessons, orchestra, and music therapy are a regular part of the program. Senior recitals and visiting artists offer additional opportunities for musical enjoyment. The chorus, chamber singers, and hand bell ensemble go out into the community and to music festivals to share their music with the world.

Source:

McGinnity, B.L., Seymour-Ford, J. and Andries, K.J. (2004) Music. Perkins History Museum, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA.

Restrictions:

None

Copyright:

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Perkins School for the Blind, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Credit line/Citation:

AG122 Perkins concert programs collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown MA.

Scope/Contents:

Collection contains perforamnce programs for musical performances at the Perkins School for the Blind (formerly Perkins Institution) including concerts, recitals, assemblies, glee club performances, Christmas concerts, Founders’ Day events, and a few theater performances. Invitations, tickets, notes, clippings, correspondence, and letters of appreciation as well as duplicates of performance programs.

Arrangement:

B1:F1 = Box 1:Folder 2

Arranged in 6 boxes. Organized by performance, chronologically.

Container List:

Box 1: 1905-1920
Box 2: 1921-1928
Box 3: 1929-1943
Box 4: 1944-1955
Box 5: 1956-1969
Box 6: 1970-1999

Provenance: