Conditions Governing Access note
Conditions Governing Use note
Preferred Citation note
Processing Information note
Arrangement note
Scope and Contents note
Biographical/Historical note
Separated Materials note
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Title: Amphion Club collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 134
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1893-1963
Abstract: The Amphion Club, founded in 1892, was instrumental in bringing internationally-recognized performing artists to San Diego.
This collection includes Club and performance records.
creator:
Amphion Club.
Conditions Governing Access note
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use note
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Preferred Citation note
Amphion Club Collection, MS 134, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Processing Information note
Collection processed by Jennifer Ho on July 13, 2011.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Arrangement note
Items in the collection are arranged by subject.
Scope and Contents note
The collection consists of items pertaining to the Amphion Club. Administrative documents in the collection include information
on Club history, taxes, and membership, including a certificate awarded to Jessie T. Buker for 25 years of service. A number
of yearbooks chronicle Club activities and performances. There are also a number of newspaper clippings reporting on Club
activities and Club-hosted musical performances. The collection also encompasses the musical performances hosted by the Club.
This includes brochures and programs for series and individual performances, as well as records of artists and venues.
Biographical/Historical note
Founded in 1892, the Amphion Club was a powerful force in the development of the San Diego music scene. According to the club
constitution, the organization’s primary goal was to increase the musical knowledge of its members and to elevate the musical
tastes of the community. The membership paid dues, and club income was used to sponsor events. Initially, meetings and performances
by local musicians were held in the homes of club members, but membership quickly grew, and soon the club began hosting concerts
at local venues and attracting artists from around the world. The Amphion Club succeeded in bringing internationally renowned
classical performers to San Diego by offering them a full audience and handsome compensation. Among these artists were pianists
Sergei Rachmaninoff and Ignace Paderewski, contralto Marian Anderson, dancer Anna Pavlova, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra,
Carrie Jacobs Bond, and Italian soprano Amelita Galli-Curci. The main venues associated with the Amphion Club were the Isis
Theater, Spreckels Theater, Russ Auditorium, Savoy Theatre and the Orpheum Theatre. For many years, performances were available
only to members and their guests, but in 1930, the club began selling tickets to the general public. The organization finally
dissolved in 1948, due to increasing competition in San Diego’s concert scene.
Gertrude Gilbert (d. 1947) was the long-standing club president (1907-1908; 1911-1946) and a key figure in the musical and
cultural movements of the city. Another key figure was Mrs. Jessie “Brownie” Buker (b. 1874, d. 1972), who is the probable
compiler of much of this collection. Mrs. Buker was secretary-treasurer of the club from 1918-1948. Born in Illinois, she
came to San Diego in 1912 and was married to Benjamin A. Buker. Jessie Buker was instrumental in the success of the Amphion
Club and in the growth of the arts and culture in San Diego. Aside from her work with the Amphion Club, Mrs. Buker was a concert
manager for Los Angeles impresario L.A. Behymer, worked with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and was a member of the Altrusa
Club and the San Diego Retirement Association.
Separated Materials note
Scrapbooks were previously separated from the collection and are located in SB 38. The four scrapbooks with dates ranging
from 1892-1948. One scrapbook contains club yearbooks, newspaper clippings and event programs. The other three scrapbooks
are composed of magazine clippings, generally from Musical America.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Much of the collection appears to have been compiled by Mrs. B.A. Buker. At least part of the collection was donated by Mrs.
B.A. Buker in 1970. The visitor’s book was donated by the Wednesday Club in 1978.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Amphion Club.
Anderson, Marian, 1897-1993
Buker, Jessie T.
Galli-Curci, Amelita, 1882-1963
Gilbert, Gertrude
Gogorza, Emilio de, 1872-1949
Jacobs-Bond, Carrie, 1862-1946
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
Menuhin, Yehudi, 1916-1999
Onegin, Sigrid, 1889-1943
Orpheum Theatre.
Paderewski, Ignace Jan, 1860-1941
Pons, Lily, 1898-1976
Rachmaninoff, Sergei, 1873-1943
Russ Theatre.
Savoy Theatre.
Spreckels Theatre.
Concerts
Music
Opera
San Diego (Calif.)
Women -- Societies and clubs