XXV String orchestra record of activities
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: XXV String orchestra record of activities
Classmark: MS 2258
Creator(s): ; Chalmers Park, John (1893-1965)
Date(s): 1922-1930
Language: English
Size and medium: 1 box; bound volume; typescript papers; newspaper cuttings; pamphlets; black and white photographs; certificates; flyers
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/722272
Description
The volume is a record of the activities of the XXV String Orchestra from the 1922 to 1930. The items were collected and collated by the Leeds impressario John Francis Chalmers Park who founded and co-conducted the orchestra with his twin brother James.
The volume includes programmes, photographs, rehearsal schedules, correspondence and newspaper cuttings. There is a copy of the conductor's programme for the Leeds Competitive Musical Festival 1923 with pencil annotations by the judges.
The contents include lists of players in typescript and manuscript, programmes and schedules for concerts in places such as Boston Spa, Rawdon, Holbeck, Methley, Ben Rhydding, Roundhay and the University of Leeds. There is correspondence with local newspapers, flyers for concerts, arrangements for an evensong in Leeds Parish Church and a concert programme from The Nurses Dining Room at Leeds General Infirmary.
The volume closes with typed records of the music performed from 1922-1930 including several Leeds premiers which included Elgar's "Elegy for Strings", 10 February 1927 and Holst's "St Paul's Suite". The volumes finishes with two lists; one of musicians who had performed with the orchestra and one of concerts. Esther Simpson played with the orchestra as one of the first violins under her birth name Esther Sinovitch in 1922.
There are photographs of John and James Chalmers Park and of members of the orchestra, some taken on Ilkley Moor.
The volume is bound in black leather. Bookplates of John Chalmers Park are pasted to the first flyleaf and back flyleaf. Most of the items are pasted or written into the volume. There are a few loose items.
Provenance
The XXV String Orchestra was founded by John Francis Chalmers Park and his brother James Chalmers Park junior in 1923. It was established for the purpose of entering the Leeds Competitive Musical Festival. Most of the members were players who had met and given two recitals at Mill Hill Chapel in 1922. The orchestra's first performance was in the Chapel on 30 April of that year. The programme included Bach, Parry and Purcell. Miss E. Sykes led the orchestra.
The orchestra made occasional broadcasts on the BBC in the 1930s. It performed in and around Leeds until the early 1950s.
Access and usage
Access
This material is not subject to restrictions under Data Protection or other relevant legislation that might limit access. However, other protections, such as donor conditions or conservation considerations, may still apply where advised.