Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1767 - 2021 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
9 boxes; 0.171 cubic metres
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The York Musical Society was founded in around 1767 by several York musicians including the Organist of York Minster John Camidge (1734-1803). It is the oldest musical society in England. Originally the society was quite exclusive, being limited to sixty members and was more concerned with instrumental music. The original YMS was hostile to any public awareness, and still more scrutiny, of its activities. However during the nineteenth century the YMS relented a little on this policy. Women were admitted to its anniversary concert from 1826 and members were involved in music festivals in York in 1791, 1823, 1825, 1828 and 1845. The Society also publicly sponsored at least one choral concert in 1832.
It is unknown whether the original York Musical Society folded in the early 1850s, and the gap was replaced by the York Amateur Musical Society, or whether there is a direct link between the two (there was certainly a direct connection with some individuals being committee members of both organisations). In 1873 the York Amateur Musical Society agreed to accept vocalists as members and commenced organising public choral concerts.
In 1876 the York Amateur Musical Society was reformed as the York Musical Society. The driving force behind this was the Dean of York, though links with the Minster were otherwise coincidental until 1892 when John Naylor (Minster organist since 1883) became the conductor. 'This young society' (to quote the York Herald) presented The Messiah for its first concert in December 1876 with Handel's Acis and Galatea the following April.
At the end of the 19th century it merged with the York Choral Society and with the addition of conductor Thomas Tertius Noble in 1900, membership increased to over 200. It remains a large choir to this day.
Repository
Content and structure area
Scope and content
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.
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Contains some files and items which are restricted access (Data Protection Act) until 01/01/2122.
Material is available subject to the usual terms and conditions of access to Archives and Local History collections.
Conditions governing reproduction
Images are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.
Language of material
- English