Southeast Symphony Association Records, 1967-2019

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Summary

Title:
Southeast Symphony Association Records
Dates:
1967-2019
Creators:
Chester, Patsy F.
Abstract:
The Southeast Symphony Association (SESA) Records (1967-2019) comprises of record books; photo albums; panoramas; organizational records; concert programs, flyers, and posters; magazines; and newspaper clippings concerning SESA, the SESA Conservatory, the Symphonettes Guild, and the Southeast Symphony Orchestra.
Extent:
24 boxes, 1 folder, and 23.43 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, please consult the appropriate style manual or see the Citations for Archival Material guide: (https://libguides.csudh.edu/archives-citation)

Background

Scope and content:

The Southeast Symphony Association (SESA) Records (1967-2019) comprises of record books; photo albums; panoramas; organizational records; concert programs, flyers, and posters; magazines; and newspaper clippings concerning SESA, the SESA Conservatory, the Symphonettes Guild, and the Southeast Symphony Orchestra.

Biographical / historical:

A music teacher named Mabel Massengill Gunn gathered her colleagues and founded the Southeast Symphony around 1948 in an area southeast of downtown Los Angeles. It was created as a way to provide a space primarily for Black musicians and their students so they could learn orchestral repertoire and ensemble performance as well as prepare for meaningful careers outside of the orchestra. Kenneth Hahn, a prominent member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, was one of the Southeast Symphony's chief supporters and it wouldn't be long until it became an official non-profit organization, known today as the Southeast Symphony Association (SESA), in 1958. Throughout its more than 70 years of existence, SESA has been a vital training ground for many Black musicians of all ages who have aspired to perform orchestral music.

Other groups formed within the organization include the Symphonettes Guild in 1989 and the SESA Conservatory in 1995. The SESA Conservatory is a Saturday program offered in cooperation with the Los Angeles Unified School District and is designed to offer instruction in instrumental music to students from 3rd grade to high school. The Symphonettes Guild was founded under the sponsorship of former President Dr. Jacqueline Broussard and comprises of professional women who pledge to come together in support SESA and serve as a fundraising entity.

Processing information:

Processed by Lindsay Anderson and Jesus Padilla, 2021.

Arrangement:

The Southeast Symphony Association (SESA) Records are arranged topically into four series. The Southeast Symphony Association, Inc. is the main organization that has established and helped to oversee community-driven programs, such as the Symphonettes Guild, the SESA Conservatory, and the Southeast Symphony Orchestra. Materials within each folder are arranged chronologically.

Southeast Symphony Association (SESA) Records Series Titles
  1. Southeast Symphony Association, Inc., 1967-2019, undated
  2. Symphonettes Guild, 1989-2002, undated
  3. SESA Conservatory, 1995-2019, undated
  4. Southeast Symphony Orchestra, 1974-2019, undated
Physical facet:
(1 oversize folder)
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Lindsay Anderson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-10-09 21:14:46 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, please consult the appropriate style manual or see the Citations for Archival Material guide: (https://libguides.csudh.edu/archives-citation)

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website