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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Palos Verdes Library District, Peninsula Center Library. Local History Center.
Title: Valenti Family Collection
Creator:
Valenti Family
Identifier/Call Number: 027
Physical Description:
1.9 Linear Feet
(5 containers)
Date (inclusive): ca 1954 - 2016
Abstract: The Valenti Family Collection documents the professional life of conductor Joseph Valenti and the activities of the Peninsula
Symphony, a community symphony started by Joseph Valenti and his wife Gloria Tamburello Valenti. The collection includes
original and photocopied materials from Joseph and Gloria Valenti's personal records, materials created by the Valenti family
for a Celebration of Life ceremony in memory of Joseph Valenti, and organizational records of the Peninsula Symphony. The
collection provides a view of the development of a community symphony orchestra on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the Local History Center for access information.
The collection is open for research use.
[Name of item], Valenti Family Collection (Collection 027). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library, Palos Verdes Library
District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.
Joseph Valenti began his musical career with the receipt of a trumpet for his 10th birthday. From 1947-1951, Valenti attended
the Westlake College of Music in Hollywood where he majored in conducting. During Army service in the Korean War, Valenti
played with the 6th Army Band at the Presidio in San Francisco and later with the 93rd Army Band at Camp Irwin. While with
the 6th Army Band, Valenti studied for two years with Pierre Monteux, conductor of the San Francisco Symphony.
After discharge from the Army, Valenti performed with notable studio orchestras in Hollywood and recorded with Art Linkletter,
Warner Brothers Orchestra and with Mark Wilson's Magic Land of Alakazam. Valenti opened his first music studio, Modern Methods
Music Studio, in 1957 to teach brass instruments and music theory.
Valenti's first work as a conductor was with the Southeast Symphony Orchestra ca 1954-1955. During this time, Valenti continued
his own musical education taking master classes with Serge Koussevitzky, trumpet study with Rafael Mendez and advanced composition
study with Ferde Grofe. He studied with noted musician, conductor and musicologist Alfdred Sendrey for 17 years.
After five years with the Southeast Symphony Orchestra, Valenti left to work with other symphonic groups including the Culver
City Symphony. At the urging of musicians on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where Valenti made his home, he founded the Peninsula
Symphony with his wife Gloria in March 1967 on the premise that the Peninsula area had sufficient potential to develop an
outstanding community orchestra.
Starting with a core group of seven members, the Symphony grew to 50 members before its first concert in December 1967. The
Peninsula Symphony quickly established itself as the community orchestra and an important cultural asset.
In the 1970s, Valenti became the conductor of the California Junior Symphony and the Young Artists Symphony. He also served
as the music director and conductor of the Los Angeles Senior Symphony at Local 47 Professional Musicians Union for six and
a half years.
Valenti served as the Peninsula Symphony's director and conductor for 41 years, retiring after the 2007-2008 season.
During his career, Valenti conducted and performed with well known musicians in the classical musical world and with artists
of both national and international fame. He also authored a series of instructional books called "A sound Foundation to Music
Series."
Valenti passed away in 2011 leaving a thriving musical legacy on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Arranged into four series: Peninsula Symphony materials (1967-2016); Celebration of Life materials (2011); Joseph Valenti
personal records (1939-2008); Valenti family scrapbooks and oversize materials. Each series arranged alphabetically, thereunder
chronologically with undated materials following dated materials.
Includes programs, flyers, brochures, correspondence, organizational records, newsletters, newspaper clippings, photographs
and scrapbooks.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to the Local History Centery by Neva Valenti on behalf of the Valenti family.
Material partially arranged and processed by Neva Valenti prior to accessioning. Initial rehousing and stabilization of materials
by Local History Center volunteers. Final arrangement and description by Monique Sugimoto, March 2018.
No accruals expected.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Symphony orchestras -- United States
Conductors (Music)
Trumpet players
Peninsula Symphony
Valenti, Joseph, 1927-2011
Valenti, Gloria, 1930-2014