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Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS013

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of information from the orchestra’s Board of Directors, most importantly their bylaws, agendas and minutes, the paperwork for the Articles of Incorporation, Not-for-Profit status, and the long-range plans. It also includes completed grant applications and their final reports to the organizations from which the grants were awarded. There are contracts for individual performances, resumes and biographical sketches of some musicians and candidates for music director and conductor, as well as insurance documents, hall rental, and photographs from performances. The collection also contains newspaper clippings concerning the orchestra, programs from concerts, and mailers and flyers advertising them. This collection presents insight into the challenges and rewards that come with the running of a professional not-for-profit chamber orchestra.

Dates

  • Creation: 1969 - 2011
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1984 - 1993

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use. Some files in Box 19 are restricted, however redacted copies are accessible in Box 2. Consult archivist for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Coypright restrictions apply.

Historical Note

The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (ICO) is the current name for the only professional chamber orchestra in Indianapolis. Starting in 1984 under the supervision of Dr. David Urness, the orchestra was originally known as the Musicians of the Cloister for a medieval cloister garden on the grounds of Trinity Episcopal Church. In January 1985, the orchestra members decided they needed a Board of Directors, which began applying for the not-for-profit status the orchestra needed. They also started their Subscription Series concerts. In the Spring of 1987, the Board of Directors made another important change to the chamber orchestra, changing its name to the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra to better reflect its pride in the growth of the cultural development within the community. The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra is funded by ticket sales, private donations and grants. They perform concerts within their subscription series as well as several outside performances, including holding clinics in the Indianapolis Public School system. The ICO is also the Orchestra-in-Residence for the Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival and the Orchestra-in-Residence for the Schrott Center for the Arts at Butler University.

Extent

7.29 Linear Feet (18 boxes, 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains materials produced by the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, including administrative documents, history of the orchestra and biographical sketches, correspondence, and performance and event information and publicity.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection is of unknown provenance. It is assumed to have been donated to Butler University Libraries by the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra circa 2000 (Accession Number 2000.003). Materials were donated after 2000; however, the repository does not have documentation of the later addition(s).

Related Materials

MSS 008 Beldon Leonard Collection, Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives, Irwin Library, Butler University.

MSS 015 Jean Sibelius Collection, Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives, Irwin Library, Butler University.

PRI 003 Manuscripts, Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives, Irwin Library, Butler University.

PRI 011 Antiphony Leaves (Vellum), Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives, Irwin Library, Butler University

Separated Materials

Materials were removed from two folders in Box 2 due to privacy concerns. Copies were made of those documents, which were then redacted due to those privacy concerns. Originals are retained in RESTRICTED folders.

Bibliography

“History of the ICO,” Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, https://www.icomusic.org/history-of-the-ico/, accessed July 1, 2024.
Title
Guide to the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Collection
Author
Sally Childs-Helton, revised by Erika Kovach
Date
2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Butler University Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
4600 Sunset Avenue
Irwin Library 345
Indianapolis Indiana 46208 United States