Title: North Dakota Federation of Music Clubs
Dates: 1904-2013
Collection Number: MSS 10927
Quantity: 7 feet
Abstract: The records consist of by-laws, minutes, correspondence, legal material, subject files, reports, projects, programs, special events materials, newsletters, newspaper clippings, a history book, scrapbooks, material documenting the history of the Federation, membership records, and material for National Music Week.
Provenance: Senator Carolyn Nelson donated the North Dakota Federation of Music Clubs Records to the State Historical Society of North Dakota in September 2005. Various additions were made to the collection between 2005 and 2013. MSS 10088, the North Dakota Federation of Music Clubs Records, was added to this collection October 2, 2009. The 10088 collection was transferred from the State Archives’ Publications in 2007. MSS 50059 was added to the collection in March 2014. June Skuza donated additional material to the collection in September 2015.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code or an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
Transfer: Three publications were transferred from the collection in June 2013.
Related Collections:
MSS 11215 Thursday Music Club (Bismarck-Mandan)
HISTORICAL SKETCH
(From MSS 10927, Box 6, folder 1)
On October 16th, 1919, twelve delegates representing various music clubs of the state of North Dakota assembled in the music room of the Presbyterian Church in Grand Forks to discuss plans for forming a state federation of music clubs. Delegates present were Mrs. J. A. Jardine. Mrs. G. H. Weiler and Mrs. F. B. Hutchinson of the Fargo Amateur Musical Club; Mrs. J. A. Poppler of the Ladies Thursday Musical Club of Grand Forks; Mrs. Jessie Finley Riley of the Wednesday Musical Club of Minot; Misses Pfist and Falley of Wahpeton; Mrs. Upham and Miss Mattie Anderson of the Amateur Musical Club of Grafton; Mrs. L. W. Meyers of the Marion Musical Club; and Mrs. W. H. Steele and Mrs. A. G. Jacobson of the Thursday Musical Club of Bismarck.
Mrs. Jardine was appointed chairman and Mrs. Jacobson secretary. A committee of five was appointed to draft a constitution. which was read and adopted by unanimous vote at the next meeting. October 17th. subject to the approval of the clubs represented by the group. Miss Clara Pollock of Fargo was added to the list of delegates at that meeting.
The first officers were President - Mrs. Jardine. Fargo; Vice President - Mrs. Poppler, Grand Forks; Treasurer - Miss Mattie Anderson. Grafton; Recording Secretary - Miss Clara Pollock, Fargo; Corresponding Secretary - Mrs. Jacobson. Bismarck. The stated aim of the organization was to obtain an organized effort among the music clubs of the state, to inspire higher ideals and true musicianship, to promote an appreciation of music and to stimulate a desire for musical expression among the musically interested people of the state.
The first meeting of the executive board of the North Dakota State Federation of Music Clubs was held November 15th, 1919, in Fargo at the home of Mrs. Jardine. At this time, the Jamestown Music Club was admitted as a charter member and the state was divided into districts. The executive committee adopted the slogan "A musical club in every town." During the first year of the State Federation's existence, departments of work were arranged similar to those outlined by the National Federation of Music Clubs and chairmen were appointed. The first annual meeting was held October 5th, 1920 in Bismarck. Organization of Junior Clubs was discussed. A state contest for young artists was planned at a meeting on January 8th, 1921.
The First Biennial Convention took place in Grand Forks on May 1st. 2nd and 3rd, 1922. The opening day featured a song recital by Edward Johnson of the Metropolitan Opera Company. The National contest winners, Enrique Ros, pianist, and Herman Rosen, violinist, appeared in concert as did North Dakota artists, including a two hundred voice state chorus that performed “Hiawatha's Wedding Feast." Reports were presented by the officers and department heads. Mrs. Jardine spoke of the work before the Federation; the organization of Junior Clubs, the development of community singing, and the building up of a scholarship loan fund. At that time, the club directory included the Thursday Musical Club of Bismarck, the Cole Harbor Musical Club of Cole Harbor, the St. Cecelia Club of Dickinson, the Fargo Musical Club, the Apollo Club and Omicron Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota of Fargo, the Amateur Musical Club of Grafton, the Ladies Thursday Musical Club and Mu Chapter of S. A. I. of Grand Forks, the Jamestown Music Club of Jamestown and the LaMoure Music Club of LaMoure. A club from Valley City was added to the list at the convention.
The Second Biennial Convention, April 8th, 9th and 10th, 1924, was also held in Grand Forks, with a board meeting on the 7th of April. A highlight of that convention was a concert by the Polish pianist. Paderewski. The Third Biennial Convention took place March 3rd, 4th and 5th. 1926. at Fargo, and the Fourth Biennial Convention was held at Valley City, May 2nd, 3rd and 4th. 1928. At that time Mrs. J. A. Poppler of Grand Forks was elected president to succeed Mrs. Jardine.
During these years, the State Federation and its member clubs were active sponsors of musical growth in the state, encouraging young talent through festivals, the Young Artists' Contest and the Scholarship Loan Fund, encouraging the formation of orchestras and opera groups in the state, presenting programs and protesting such things as a tax on concert tickets and a movement in some parts of the state to abandon supervised music in the public schools. The group introduced the observance of National Music Week in the state. Membership of both Senior and Junior Clubs steadily increased. In 1929, there were thirty-eight clubs in good standing with 787 adult members and 267 junior members.
The North Dakota State Federation of Music Clubs saw its first president, Mrs. J. A. Jardine, become corresponding secretary and then vice president of the National Federation. She served as chairman of the biennial convention in Minneapolis in May, 1933, and at that convention, was elected president of the National Federation of Music Clubs.
Mr. John C. Howard of the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks was elected president of the State Federation in 1930 and Mrs. B. H. Kroeze in 1938. In 1940, Mr. Howard again became president and served in this office until 1942. During the war years, the North Dakota State Federation of Music Clubs took part in the national project of sending phonographs to army camps and equipping remote arctic outposts with records. The Past Presidents Assembly was organized in 1943 under the chairmanship of Mrs. J. Bustin of Grand Forks, and this group took on the project of encouraging and assisting the winners of the Young Artists' Contests to attain a broad education and, in a few cases, even concert careers. At the time of the convention in May, 1944, about thirty members were included in this group and more were added at that time. In 1950, Mrs. Bustin (then Mrs. W. J. Dunkel) received a gold pin and citation from Mrs. Charles Pascoe of the National Federation "for outstanding work in North Dakota in securing six new charter groups. The new chartered groups were Grand Forks, Fargo, Minot, Williston, Devils Lake and Dickinson.
Mr. Joseph Black of Jamestown was elected state president in 1942 and Mrs. Harley King of Minot assumed the office in 1948. Mrs. W. S. Shaw of Fargo served two terms as president in 1952 and then went on to represent the state on the National Board. She was followed as president by Mrs. J. B. I3ridston of Grand Forks in 1956 and Mrs. Eloise Halvorson in 1958.
During these years, the individual clubs of the North Dakota State Federation of Music Clubs built up traditions in their own communities. They presented Christmas programs, often in conjunction with other musical groups; gave programs of works by American composers; sponsored concerts by local and state artists and by artists from other parts of the country; gave scholarships; encouraged Junior Clubs and in general, enriched the musical life of their communities. The State Federation sponsored auditions for the Edgar Stillman Kelley and the Marie Morrisey Keith scholarships and supported these funds. In 1953, there were' sixty-nine Senior, Student and Junior Clubs in the state.
The 1960's were active years for the State Federation. In 1961, the Northern Lights District of the National Federation of Music Clubs was made responsible for a program and one of the dinners during the national convention in Kansas City. This district includes North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska. North Dakota clubs held various fund raising projects to raise part of the money to send the University Bards to perform on the convention program. The Concordia College Choir also appeared representing both Concordia College and the Concordia Conservatory in Fargo. The two groups appeared separately and as a massed chorus. Mrs. W. S. Shaw was national choral chairman for the convention. A Scandinavian theme was used for the dinner at which Mrs. Shaw was master of ceremonies.
Mrs. R. E. Bums became president in 1962 and that year also marked the beginning of the observance of North Dakota Federation Days at the International Music Camp at the Peace Gardens. At that time, declaration was made of the Agnes Jardine Scholarship of $500.00 to be given annually to the International Music Camp. Mrs. Jardine represented the national president, Mrs. Dorothy Bullock, at this event, and Mrs. Shaw was chairman and master of ceremonies.
In 1964, Mrs. Eckhart J. Heid of Dickinson was elected president. The Twenty-third Biennial Convention in 1966 was attended by four national officers, Mrs. Clifton F. Muir of Coral Gables, Florida, national president; Mrs. W. S. Shaw, president of the Central Region; Mrs. Harley King of Minot, National Board member, and Mrs. J. B. Bridston of Grand Forks, president of the Northern Lights District. Mrs. Shaw had moved from North Dakota to Edina, Minnesota. At this convention a Practice Hut Luncheon was held to raise funds for a second practice hut to be given to the International Music Camp. Mrs. George C. Sturgeon was elected president at this convention.
Mrs. Charles M. Pollock of Fargo became president in 1968, Mrs. Walter Brusven of Bismarck in 1970, and Mrs. James Randall of Dickinson in 1974. After completing her term as president, Mrs. Pollock became North Dakota's representative on the National Board. Mrs. Randall served as president throughout 1975 and was re-elected at the biennial convention at Fargo, April 30th through May 2nd of 1976. Both the convention program and the programs of the various music clubs featured American music to celebrate the Bicentennial. A high point in the state's contribution to this event was the concert by the International Music Camp Tour Band and Choir in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. They received a standing ovation. In addition, North Dakota was represented in a concert in the foyer by the Frank Scott Band from Fargo. Its appearance was made possible through contributions from individuals and civic groups throughout the state and through the efforts of Stella Pollock. North Dakota's representative on the National Board, who was responsible for securing funds to send the Fargo group to Washington.
Activities for 1977 began February 4th with the biennial student auditions held on the campus of the University of North Dakota. Eleven students took part. The spring board meeting took place April 16th, 1977, at Jamestown. Congratulations were extended to Dr. Merton Utgaard and the International Music Camp for the recognition given them by the National Federation of Music Clubs in the form of a Merit Award for the Promotion of International Relations in Music through the International Youth Band Festival, sponsored by the camp during the summer of 1976. On November 9th, Dr. Utgaard also received the first annual Governor's Award for the Arts after being nominated for this honor by the board. Federation Day at the camp was July 15th with the Thursday Music Club of Williston as hosts.
N. D. F. M. C. helped to host the President's Reception at the National Federation of Music Clubs Convention in Kansas City April 22nd through 27th. Stella Pollock, National Board Member, and Margaret Randall, state president, attended. Mrs. Randall acted as a page to the national president and also served as a hostess for the reception.
During the Bicentennial celebration and the several years following, a special effort has been made by the State Federation to bring the works of North Dakota composer before the public. Barbara Laybourn negotiated with the National Music Council to put together a series of ten half hour tapes for radio, nine of which featured compositions by North Dakotans, while the tenth is of the Kennedy Center concert by the International Music Camp Tour Band and Choir. These were broadcast by various radio stations in the state. Martha Hoghaug, chairman of Women Composers and Opera, collected manuscripts from North Dakota women composers and put them on file.
The 1978 biennial convention and spring board meeting took place April 21st to 23rd at Devils Lake, with the Carrington-New Rockford Area Music Club assisting. A highlight of that convention was a concert by Peter Zazofsky, 1977 National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Auditions winner. Mrs. Hale Laybourn, Fargo, was elected president. National Guest was Mrs. Frank Vought, National President. The Bismarck Thursday Music Club accepted the responsibility of hosting Federation Day, July 14, 1978 at the International Music Camp.
At the N. F. M. C. Convention in Portland, Oregon, in April, 1979. North Dakota was selected as one of the three states to be honored by honoring a distinguished musician. Mrs. Frank Vought, President of the N.F. M.C., announced Lawrence Welk's selection at the final banquet of the convention.
The Agnes Jardine Endowment Fund, in honor of N. D. F. M. C.'s first president, who became the thirteenth president of the National Federation of Music Clubs, has reached the goal of $8.000. This now ensures that $500 will be sent annually to the International Music Camp for scholarships.
In its sixtieth year, the North Dakota Federation of Music Clubs and its individual Senior Clubs, Thursday Music Club of Bismarck, Carrington-New Rockford Music Club, Devils Lake Music Club, St. Cecelia Music Club of Dickinson, Fargo Music Club, Fargo Fine Arts Club, Thursday Music Club of Grand Forks, Jamestown Music Club, Schumann Music Club of Minot, MacDowell Music Club of Stanley, and Thursday Music Club of Williston, five student clubs and over ninety junior clubs continue to make North Dakota, a musical state.
BOX / FOLDER INVENTORY
Box 1:
1 Convention programs, 1904-1950
2 Convention programs, 1952-1974
3 Minutes, 1919-1928
4 Minutes, 1928-1939
5 Minutes, 1940-1954
6 Minutes/board meetings/conventions, 1955-1970
7 Minutes/board meetings/conventions, 1971-1975
8 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1976
9 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1977
10 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1978
11 Minutes/board meetings/conventions, 1979-1983
12 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1984
13 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1985
14 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1986
15 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1987
16 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1988
17 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1989
18 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1990
19 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1991
20 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1992
21 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1993
22 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1994
23 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1995
24 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1996
Box 2:
1 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1997
2 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1998
3 Minutes/board meetings/convention, 1999
4 Minutes/board meetings/conventions, 2000-2001
5 Minutes/board meetings/conventions, 2002-2005
6 Minutes/board meetings/conventions, 2006-2012
7 Constitution and founding documents, ca. 1928-2006
8 Directories and membership information, 1936-2011
9 Central region membership, 1984-1989
10 Northern Lights district membership, 1985-1989
11 Life members, 1990-1994
12 Past presidents, 1919-1991
13 Past Presidents’ Assemblies, ca. 1976-1987
14 State Officers, 1976-1995
15 State Chairman Appointed, 1982-1993
16 Vice Presidents, 1982-1993
17 Vice presidents, Central Region, 1990-1995
18 Yearbooks and programs, local ND music clubs, 1940s-1960s
19 Yearbooks and programs, local ND music clubs, 1985-1987
20 Yearbooks and programs, local ND music clubs, 1988-1992
Box 3:
1 Yearbooks and programs, local ND music clubs, 1945-1968
2 Yearbooks and programs, local ND music clubs, 1985-1987
3 Yearbooks and programs, local ND music clubs, 1988-1992
4 Yearbooks and programs, local ND music clubs, 1992-1995
5 National Board Members, 1984-1993
6 Correspondence, 1937
7 Correspondence, 1974
8 Correspondence, 1983-1986
9 Correspondence, 1987-1989
10 Correspondence, 1990-1993
11 Correspondence, 2006
12 Adult Composers, 1990-1996
13 Virginia Allison, 1994
14 American music: Parade of American Music, 1986-1991
15 American music: Parade of American Music, 1986-1991
16 American Women composers, 1988-1990
17 Anne Gannett Scholarship, Music in Armed Forces, ca. 1989
18 Artist Presentation, Odee Maier, 1991-1993
19 U.S. Bicentennial, 1976
20 Cavalcade of Youth Junior Composers, 1984-1992
21 Centennial, 2008
22 Ceremonies – Outreach
23 Chaplain
24 Choral music
25 Citations, 1992
26 Columbus Quincentennial, 1992
27 Composers Center, ca. 2008
28 Crusade for Strings, 1984-1993
29 Dance Department, Thelma A. Robinson Scholarship in Dance, 1986-1987
30 Duo-Piano awards, Ellis Competition for Duo-Pianists, 1995
31 Federation Days, 1981-1993
32 Festival of women, 1984
33 Folk Music International, 1984-1993
34 Founder’s Day, 1983-1995
35 Gold Cup, 1988-1994
36 Grant Applications, 1983-1992
Box 4:
1 Historical Parade of American music, 1975-1989
2 Hymns of the month, 1987-2003
3 Insignia, 1984-1988
4 International Ambassadors of Music, 1984-1993
5 International Music Camp, 1985-1997
6 International Music Camp, 2012-2013
7 International Music Relations, 1988-1995
8 Agnes Jardine Award, 1979-2011
9 Agnes Jardine Award, 1979-2011
10 Junior Club Counselors, 1981-1992
11 Junior Clubs Junior Festival, ca. 1933-1994
12 Junior Clubs Junior Festival, ca. 1933-1994 (continued)
13 Junior Composers Contest, Susan Clambey, 1993-1997
14 Junior Composers, 2007-2012
15 Junior Composers Institute, 2002-2010
16 Stillman Kelly scholarship, 1990-1994
17 Gay King, 1937-1997
18 Memorial and Recognition, 1985-1990
19 Music for the Blind, 1987-1993
20 Music Club Magazine, 1986-1993
21 Music in Hospitals, 1986-1995
22 Music for Overseas, 1991
23 Music of Poetry, 1987
24 Music in Schools and Colleges, 1985-1993
25 Music Service in the Community, 1984-1987
26 Musical Family of the Year, 1982-1995
27 National Music Week, 1982-1995
28 National Music Week, 2003
29 National Music Week essay contest, 1987-1997
30 Vivian M. Nelson Award for the handicapped, 1980
31 North Dakota Arts Alliance, 1991-1994
32 North Dakota Dreaming, 2005
Box 5:
1 Opera for Youth, 1983-1993
2 Orchestra, 1986
3 Orientation and skit, 1993
4 Peace Garden Music Camp, ca. 1968-2005
5 Piano for Governor’s Residence, 1991-1993
6 Plan of work for 1991-1992
7 Stella Pollock, 1987
8 Profiles, 1989-1991
9 State and National President’s Themes, 1993-1995
10 Procedures for Secretaries, 1972
11 Corresponding secretary public relations, 1985-1991
12 Public relations, 1992-1993
13 Representative to music camp, 1987-1994
14 Thelma A. Robinson Scholarship in Conducting, Mr. Tom Wellin, 1993
15 Rural Music Survey, 1951
16 Sacred Music, 1987-1997
17 Evelyn Sampson, 2004-2012
18 Senior Club Extension, 1975-1987
19 Student Auditions, 1987-1993
20 T-Shirt Sale, 1989-1993
21 Noella Utgaard NDFMC Recording Secretary, 1993-1995
22 Gretchen E. Van Roy Scholarship, 1992
23 Lawrence Welk, 1978
24 Wendell Irish Viola award, Dr. George Keck, 1984-1996
25 Joyce Walsh Jr. Division Scholarship for the handicapped, 1987-1994
26 Young Artist, 1983-1995
27 Young Composer/ASCAP, 1981-1997
28 Yearbooks, Education Department, 1996
29 Federation Day reports, 1998-2012
30 Club Presidents Reports, 1985-1992
31 Club Presidents spring reports, 2005-2012
32 Club Presidents fall reports, 2005-2012
33 Reports to national, 1987-1997
34 Senior Club reports, 1983
35 Corresponding Secretary reports, 1985-1987
36 President’s reports to state and national, 1983-1987
37 Fact sheets, 1996-2009
38 Annual State Rating Report material, 1981-1988
39 Annual State Rating Report material, 1989-1997
40 Annual State Rating Report material, 1998-2002
41 Miscellaneous reports, 2006-2012
42 Notes & Quotes, 1976-1982
Box 6:
1 History (organizational and club)
2 History book
3 Newsletters, 1991-1993
4 State Historian’s records, book 1, 1919-1920
5 State Historian’s records, book 2, 1928
6 State Historian’s records, book 3, 1928-1930
7 State Historian’s records, book 4, 1930-1932
8 State Historian’s records, book 5, 1932-1935
9 State Historian’s records, book 6, 1935-1937
10 History – North Dakota Federation, National Federation and State Conventions
11 News clippings, 1993-1994
12 Scrapbook/photo album, 1991-2010
13 Scrapbook – news clippings, ca. 1950s-1960s
14 Scrapbook – news clippings, ca. 1950s-1960s
15 National Federation printed material, 1925-1936
19 Awards, 1961-1999
20 MEND (Music Education in North Dakota) and MEA (Music Education Association) Coalition –
Educating America in the Arts," 1993
Oversized:
Scrapbook, 1962-1964
Scrapbook, 1970-1995
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