Call Number:

39

Repository:

Historical Society of Montgomery County

Extent:

7.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1921-1996 (inclusive)

Creator:

Octave Club of Norristown.

Abstract:

The Octave Club of Norristown was founded in 1916 as a women's chorus. The organization quickly expanded to include various other forms of music and education. The Octave Club of Norristown closed in 2009, but the Junior Octave Club was still active as of 2012. The Octave Club of Norristown records, 1921-1966, are comprised of administrative and financial records, as well as scrapbooks and ephemera.

"The Octave Club of Norristown was founded in 1916 by Marion G. Spangler of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. She was an instrumentalist, singer, teacher, choral director, and the granddaughter of the founder of Ursinus College.

"The club began as a women's chorus, but quickly expanded to study various aspects of music, using the talents of members to lecture and perform in ensembles or as soloists to illustrate the topic of the program.

"Subsidiary groups such as the Past Presidents Assembly, the Musicians Club, the Women's Chorus, and the Junior Octave Club were formed. Awards and scholarships for young musicians were instituted and a piano and violin competition for Junior High School age students was established."

The Octave Club of Norristown closed in 2009, but the Junior Octave Club was still active as of 2012.

Bibliography:

Quoted material from: The Octave Club of Norristown. "History." Accessed March 7, 2012. http://www.octaveclub.com/

This collection is comprised of administrative and financial records, as well as scrapbooks and ephemera of the club. The administrative records include: board minutes (1959-1977); miscellaneous correspondence, forms, flyers, etc.; and member lists, circa 1980s-1990s. The financial records include treasurer's reports, bank statements, check stubs, and a dues book (circa 1976-1983). The scrapbooks are rich with photos, ephemera, clippings, and some original documents, 1931-1992. There are additional photographs, circa 1920s-1930, as well as programs and some other ephemera. Several of the scrapbooks are related to the Junior Octave Club (1972-1992), and there are additional loose programs and flyers of the Junior Octave Club, circa 1985, as well.