Sounds of Philadelphia: MUST 0808

The Marian Anderson Collection includes Anderson's personal papers--including letters, music scores, programs, photographs, and sound recordings--and affiliated materials, along with additional donations to the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. All of these collections are housed in the Kislak Center.

Established in 2001, the SCRC Philadelphia Dance Collection documents dance heritage in the Philadelphia region through dance company business records, performance programs and posters, photographs, moving images, sound recordings, and related ephemera. Preservation and access to these materials is essential to the legacies of Philadelphia’s premiere dance companies, performance artists, choreographers and dance educators and their contributions to the movement phenomenon.

This collection is currently being processed at UPenn but items currently available for viewing can be found view the finding aid in the link.

The Settlement Music School Records consist of minutes of executive and board meetings, financial statements, correspondence, scrapbooks and photographs, newspaper clippings, and a few class reports. Subject matter primarily concerns music instruction, concerts, and recitals, but the Personal Service Committee minutes also detail services for immigrants during the period 1920-28. Photographs consist of undated and uncaptioned photos depicting children at artistic, dramatic, and musical activities.

Natalie Hinderas was a celebrated pianist and music instructor in Philadelphia. She was one of the first African Americans to gain worldwide fame as a classical pianist, and one of the first African-American female pianists to be featured by a symphony orchestra. Contained in this collection are documents regarding the business, professional, and personal affairs of Natalie Hinderas from 1969 to1987.

The Pennsylvania Ballet records documents the activities of the Pennsylvania Ballet Company, active from 1963 through 2011. The materials in this collection cover the years 1963 to 2004, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1969 to 1990. The collection includes photographs of both dancers and productions, biographical information about dancers and company staff, choreography and lighting notes, information about tours, publicity materials, posters, and videos of performances.

The Anna Crusis Women’s Choir Records document the organization from 1975 to 2017, evidencing its governance, musical repertoire, performances, and philosophies, especially regarding its views on politics and social justice. The records include board and committee minutes; articles of incorporation and bylaws; internal communications, “Choir Notes” and “Choirside Chats;” general correspondence; assorted alphabetically arranged administrative and subject files; and financial records.

The Electric Factory Records detail the long history of the live music venue, the Electric Factory, spanning fifty years. The entertainment records include various bands’ rider contracts, correspondence, audit reports, tickets, and backstage passes. A large collection of posters documents the musicians that played not only at the Electric Factory but at other theaters such as Theater of Living Arts, the Tower Theater, and the Spectrum. There are a significant number of posters, photographs, and backstage passes relating to these shows.

The Curtis Archives document the history and legacy of the Curtis Institute of Music by preserving records of permanent historical value. Welcoming both the Curtis community and the general public, the Archives offer diverse collections that encompass the entirety of the Curtis experience.

Find government and court records, family history records, military records, and more relating to the city of Philadelphia.