Handel Oratorio Society records

The Handel Oratorio Society records, 1880-2004 and undated, includes early membership records, minutes, musical scores, performance programs, and news reviews and announcements for various performances. The collection includes photographs, essays and sound recordings, as well as programs, posters, and articles about the Handel Oratorio Society's 100th Anniversary.

The Handel Oratorio Society records have been arranged into the six following series:

Series I. Administration, 1881-1981 and undated, includes copies of the Handel Oratorio Society constitution, treasurer's records, membership rolls, and meeting minutes. The series also contains detailed lists of expenditures, past directors and soloists, possible donors and publishers, and new committee members all selected for the anniversary season (1980-1981). Various notes between committee members and a public memorandum regarding event dates and article publications are also included.

Series II. Handel's Messiah, 1881-1994 includes publicity for the annual performance of Handel's Messiah, a score owned by John A. Godehn, a member of the original choir, and four copies of the program from the first Messiah performance (1881): two in English and two in Swedish. Also included are programs for the annual performance, various articles reviewing the shows, and advertising posters.

Series III. 100th Anniversary, 1980-1981 includes programs, posters and articles reviewing both the celebratory 100th anniversary performance of Handel's Messiah and the commissioned work by Charles Wuorinen, The Celestial Sphere. Also included is Dennis Loftin's ACUCAA Graphic Competition award for the graphic design of the anniversary program, as well as press information released for articles published that year. In addition, copies of the conductor's original manuscript score, a tape recording (on Bell Laboratory synthesizer) of the performance's interlude, and a braille edition of the program are included, as well as black and white and color photographs from both performances.

Series IV. Sacred Performances, circa 1892-1999 and undated contains programs, articles and flyers advertising any sacred performance excluding "Messiah" and "The Celestial Sphere." These include a 25th anniversary celebration of the Society and performances like Haydn's Creation, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Brahms's Requiem, and other performances.

Series V. Miscellaneous, 1880-1982, includes news articles about Society members and essays about the Society by Augustana College students and staff. Also included are information for press releases during the centennial year and black and white photographs of the original orchestra and early directors.

Series VI. Sound Recordings, 1946-1961 and undated, contains several recordings of Handel's Messiah from various years as well as recordings of Haydn's Creation and Bach's St. Matthew Passion.