Includes programmes for theatrical and musical performances in and around York, principally for choral music, light music, operas, and operettas. Many of the programmes relate to performances by amateur and community groups. These programmes were collected by Freda Freer during the course of her lifetime.

Information contained in each programme varies, but many of the programmes include some information about the society performing the production, information about the production itself, information about the performers and producers, lists of past performances by the society, lists of performances by other societies, and lists of other performances at the same venue.

Many of the programmes contain artwork on the covers and advertisements, in particular those for businesses based in York and for products and services relating to music and drama.

Various documents collected by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society relating to the history of York, York property and land, and prominent York individuals. The collection includes historical notes and accounts, and original documents collected by the society in the course of their antiquarian research. These original documents include estate correspondence and papers, land and property deeds, civic and official documents, guild records, personal and business papers, papers of Eustace Strickland, papers of the Whitehead family, and papers from the Yorkshire Musical Festival.

Notably, the collection includes YPS/5/1 [c. 1525-1550]: The guild's own manuscript copy of The Scrivener' Play, originally performed as part of the cycle of York Mystery Plays, also know as 'The Sykes Manuscript. This is the only known surviving guild copy of a York Mystery Play.

Until 1752, Great Britain used the Julian calendar, with the first day of the new year falling on March 25th. Dates in this catalogue have all been expressed as 'new style' dates, in line with the Gregorian calendar, unless otherwise stated.

Administrative records and publicity material relating to both the original York Musical Society (c. 1767-1855) and to the reformed York Musical Society (from 1876). Also includes some research files relating to the history of the societies and to significant performers and conductors.

Includes minutes of meetings of various committees and of annual general meetings, financial records and account books, annual reports, administrative papers and correspondence, papers relating to performance and rehearsal administration, concert programmes, lists of members, papers relating to the history of the society, general files, floppy disks and a small amount of promotional material. Also contains editions of the Musical Times. Please see file and item level descriptions for more detailed information about the contents of this collection.

PLEASE REQUEST THESE ITEMS ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE - HELD IN OFFSITE STORAGE

Includes material created and collected by the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir. The collection includes administrative records including meeting minutes, financial accounts and material relating to choir membership; as well as memorabilia that includes material from choir visits to various destinations in Europe, programmes from concerts and contests, and newspaper cuttings.