Federal Music Project Collection
Title
Federal Music Project Collection
Subject
Singers
Musicians
Musical Instruments
Opera
Choirs (Music)
Pianists
Federal Music Project (U.S.)
Great Depression
New Deal (1933-1939)
Lovich, Theodore, 1899-1984
Cooper, Irma M., -2002
Britten, Benjamin, 1913-1976
Westphal, Lorraine
Sharanova, Sonia, 1896-1988
African American singers
Sokoloff, Nicolai, 1886-1965
Bands (Music)
Crost, Dorothy
Rosen, Lucie Bigelow, 1890-1968
African American choirs
Ethnomusicology
Description
The Federal Music Project began in 1935 as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal plan. The program, led by Russian-American violinist and orchestra conductor Nicolai Sokoloff, employed musicians, composers, and conductors throughout the United States including more than 400 people in Chicago.
The program provided funding for music festivals, classes, and concerts as well as the creation of 34 orchestras. The Federal Music Project conducted research on several genres of American music with a special emphasis placed on traditional American music and folk songs including cowboy, Creole, and African American music. The Federal Music Project ended at the outbreak of World War II.
Images in this collection include publicity photos of several Illinois musicians and choral groups funded by the Federal Music Project.
The program provided funding for music festivals, classes, and concerts as well as the creation of 34 orchestras. The Federal Music Project conducted research on several genres of American music with a special emphasis placed on traditional American music and folk songs including cowboy, Creole, and African American music. The Federal Music Project ended at the outbreak of World War II.
Images in this collection include publicity photos of several Illinois musicians and choral groups funded by the Federal Music Project.
Collection Items
Theodore Lovich
Theodore Lovich poses for a portrait wearing a suit jacket, bow tie, and brim hat. Lovich sang as a tenor for several opera companies in Chicago and around the United States. The Croation-born Pasko Alujevic performed in the United States under the…
Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten sits at a piano with sheet music in hand. Born in England in 1913, Britten was a successful pianist and composer during the mid-twentieth century.
Irma Cooper
Irma Cooper leans against a short wall for a portrait session. A native of Iowa, Cooper made a career as an opera singer and vocal coach in Europe. Cooper was one of the founders of the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
Lorraine Westphal
Lorraine Westphal poses for a portrait wearing a dress with ruffles and a pendant necklace.
Illinois Valley Blue Coats
The Illinois Valley Blue Coats band marches in a Peoria parade. The band was a product of the Federal Music Project, a component of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation that employed musicians during the Great Depression.
Chicago Operetta Company
Members of the Chicago Operetta Company pose for a group photograph. The company, led by director Harry Minturn, was a product of the Federal Music Project, a component of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation that employed musicians…
Colp Chorus
The Colp Chorus and members of a massed community chorus prepare for a performance at the outdoor Ravine Theater in Anna. The chorus was a product of the Federal Music Project, a component of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation…
Sonia Sharnova
Sonia Sharnova poses for a portrait wearing several pieces of jewelry and a fur stole. Sharnova, a contralto for opera companies in Germany and Chicago, performed on stage and taught vocal lessons. Sharnova performed with the Chicago City Opera…
Nikolai Sokoloff
Nikolai Sokoloff conducts the Illinois Symphony Orchestra during a rehearsal. The Russian-American violinist and conductor served as the director of the Federal Music Project from 1935-1938. Sokoloff conducted the San Francisco People's Philharmonic…
Federal Concert Orchestra
The Federal Concert Orchestra performs under a tent in Springfield as part of a joint showwith the Federal Theatre Players. On verso: "District #6 office, 835 Main Street, Peoria, Ill.; H. C. Howard, District Supervisor; Federal Concert Orchestra,…
Lucie Bigelow Rosen
Lucie Bigelow Rosen poses with her theremin during a portrait session. Rosen was a musician and Theremin soloist who helped to popularize the electric instrument during the 1930s. On verso: "From Jean Dalrymple; 122 East 42nd Street; New York City;…
Lucie Bigelow Rosen
Lucie Bigelow Rosen, a musician and Theremin soloist who helped to popularize the electric instrument during the 1930s, poses for a portrait. On verso: "From Jean Dalrymple; 122 East 42nd Street; New York City; Mu. 5-3114; Lucie Bigelow Rosen,…
Ruth Ray
Violinist Ruth Ray poses for a portrait with her violin. Ray debuted at Carnegie Hall in 1919 and played with the New York Philharmonic. She later served as concert master for the Chicago Women's Symphony. Ray taught violin at Bradley University and…
Collection Tree
- Illinois Photographic Collection
- Federal Music Project Collection