Viola da Gamba Society of America (VdGSA) records
Collection
0101-SCPA
The Viola da Gamba Society of America, founded in 1962, is a national organization dedicated to the support of activities relating to the viola da gamba or viol in the United States and abroad. It is a society of players, builders, publishers, distributors, restorers, and others sharing a serious interest in music for viols and other early bowed string instruments. The Viola da Gamba Society records cover the period of 1950-2020 and contain organizational records, publications, conclave materials, historical information about the society and the viol, and scores and recordings of music for the viol.
There are no restricted files in this collection.
Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Contact the curator for an appointment: http://www.lib.umd.edu/scpa/contact
19.50 Linear Feet
The Viola da Gamba Society of America records cover the period of time between 1950 and 2012, with the bulk of materials dating from 1972 to 1990. The collection consists of both personal and professional papers including published organizational volumes, correspondence, membership directories, performance programs, meeting minutes, annual reports, memorabilia, scores, photographs and clippings. Individual series are devoted to the founder George Glenn, his wife Eloise, who served in multiple positions within the organization, as well as prominent, long-serving officers, members, and viola da gamba enthusiasts, scholars, and manufacturers. The Society’s numerous publications are represented along with individual files from each annual conclave. Finally, member-owned collections of scores are included relating to the Society’s “New Music” competition as well as other viola da gamba societies around the world.
Founded by George Glenn and incorporated in 1962, the Viola da Gamba Society of America is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support of activities relating to the viola da gamba in the United States and abroad. The society is comprised of players, builders, publishers, distributors, restorers and others sharing an interest in music for viols and various other early bowed string instruments. Annually, a week-long conclave is held during mid-summer at an educational institution in the U.S. with a faculty of internationally recognized performers and scholars.
The VdGSA was formed by a small nucleus of enthusiastic viol players who frequently met to play consort music in rural Maryland. The concept of an annual Conclave was born at that time, with a small enough membership to be accommodated in private homes. As numbers of members increased, Conclaves eventually began taking place in educational institutions throughout the country. It is the policy of the VdGSA to convene the Conclave in different locations as an outreach to the dispersed membership. Organizational membership totals about 1100 individuals and institutions worldwide. Aside from the national organization, there are 13 official chapters and 35 area representatives in the United States, 4 area representatives from Canada, and another 5 around the world.
This collection is organized into seven series.
Materials are received periodically, starting in 2003. Serials are received as they are published.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library