Description
The Stockton Symphony Papers consist of: scrapbooks (1930-); programs
(1925-); publicity flyers and biographies; reviews; correspondence and
memorabilia pertaining to the activities of the Stockton Symphony. The
collection also contains programs of the Stockton Symphony Ballet (1928-1988)
and some personal papers of Manlio Silva. Additions to the collection are
expected as new materials are generated.
Background
The Stockton Symphony Orchestra was founded by Manlio Silva, a Genovese
immigrant violinist (1924). Silva served as the group's music director,
conductor and business manager until his retirement (1957). Subsequent
conductors have included: Horace Brown, Fritz Berens, Ralph Matesky, Kyung-Soo
Won (1966-1993)and Peter Jaffee. The Stockton Symphony Association was founded
(1959) to assume the fund raising and business management aspects of the
Symphony's existence. A women's fund-raising group, the Stockton Symphony
League, was also founded at this time for the additional purpose of promoting
an interest in classical music in San Joaquin County. The League created this
collection in 1980.