The Glasgow Society of Musicians Collection
The collection covers the administrative history of the organisation from 1893-1983 including committee minutes, cash ledgers and benevolent funds.
About The Glasgow Society of Musicians
The Glasgow Society of Musicians was first discussed on 9th September 1884, by Julius Seligmann, Emile Berger, C. Hall Woolnoth and J.A. Robertson. The first meeting took place in McLean’s Hotel on 26th September. 23 people attended, and 19 others sent messages of support – they formed the first roll of members.
The club was associated with other clubs, such as the Art Club, the Pen and Pencil Club, and the Choral Union.
The society held events such as concerts, lectures and dinners, and ran a benevolent fund. It made donations to the Musicians’ Union Benevolent Fund, the Musician’s Home and Orphanage, and the Music Festival Association. In 1889, it began a music composition prize fund, to promote interest in music composition.
Julius Seligmann from The history of the Glasgow Society of Musicians, 1884-1944
A notable event which took place in 1892 – a fancy dress ball organised in aid of the Benevolent Fund - was illustrated by Harrington Mann in a drawing in Glasgow Museums collections.
Fig Caption:
Fancy costume ball, Society of Musicians, Glasgow Dec 9, 1892 by Harrington Mann. © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collections
Meetings took place in various locations throughout Glasgow, including several hotels, Charing Cross Halls, and St Andrews Halls. In 1905, the society bought 73 Berkeley Street at a cost of £820, and various alterations and improvements were costed by the society in 1944 at £2213. A concert Room was erected at the rear of the building, allowing for events and musical activities.
73 Berkeley Street from The history of the Glasgow Society of Musicians, 1884-1944
About the collection
The collection contains letter books, cash books, membership lists, and visitor book, as well as documents relating to the property at 73 Berkeley Street.
Finding aid
Please contact Special Collections or 0141 287 2988 if you would like to access this collection.
Further reading
Brown, E. J. V. (1944). The history of the Glasgow Society of Musicians, 1884-1944
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