Guide to the Valenti Family Collection 027
Monique Sugimoto
Palos Verdes Library District, Peninsula Center Library. Local History Center.
2018 Mar 26
701 Silver Spur Road
Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274
localhistory@pvld.org
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
Physical Location: Local History Center
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.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the Local History Center for access information.
Conditions Governing Use
The collection is open for research use.
Preferred Citation
[Name of item], Valenti Family Collection (Collection 027). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library, Palos Verdes Library
District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.
Biographical / Historical
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.
Arrangement
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.
Scope and Contents
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.
Processing Information
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.
Accruals
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
Peninsula Symphony materials (1967-2016)
Scope and Contents
Includes Peninsula Symphony concert season programs, correspondence, flyers, clippings, member rosters, and press releases.
Box 1
Auxiliary of the Peninsula Symphony Association
1969-1977
Scope and Contents
Includes invitations, flyers and announcements of the Auxiliary of the Peninsula Symphony Association, a fundraising arm and
support group of the Peninsula Symphony Association.
Box 1
Clippings
1967-2014
Physical Description: 2 Folders
Box 1
Coorespondence
1974-1982 with gaps
Box 1
Peninsula Symphony Association histories and brochures
1969-1977
Box 1
Peninsula Symphony Association meeting notice and bylaw amendment
1976
Box 1
Peninsula Symphony Association scholarship notice and applications
1977; 1979
Box 1
Peninsula Symphony Association stationery
Box 1
Peninsula Symphony Association support material
ca 1974-1979; 1983; n.d.
Scope and Contents
Includes concert season member cards, bumber sticker and auction material.
Box 1
Peninsula Symphony Association 'Symphony Sounds' newsletters
1974-1978; 2011, with gaps
Box 2, Box 3
Peninsula Symphony Concert Season Programs
1967-2016
Physical Description: 9 Folders
Box 1
Peninsula Symphony member rosters
1967-1969; 1988
Box 1
Press releases
1967-1968
Scope and Contents
Includes photocopies of press releases written by Gloria Valenti who served as the symphony manager.
Box 1
Program flyers and brochures
1971-2008
Scope and Contents
Includes concert programs, flyers, invitations and other promotional materials.
Box 1
The "Valenti Virtuosi"
April 1975
Scope and Contents
Includes hand drawn layout of orchestra.
Celebration of Life materials (2011)
Scope and Contents
Series includes materials collected and prepared by the Valenti family for a Celebration of Life event in memory of Joseph
Valenti held September 24, 2011.
Processing Information
Binders used for display for Celebration of Life event decanted and rehoused to folders.
Box 3
Barry Trop photos
Scope and Contents
Includes copies of photographs of the Peninsula Symphony taken by former Valenti student and photographer, Barry Trop.
Box 3
Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra score
2010
Scope and Contents
Includes original score composed and typed by Joseph Valenti. Cover page includes note, "At 82, sleep was just a waste of
precious time when Joseph could learn computer music programs and stay up all night to compose, study orchestral scores or
rehearse jazz standards on the piano."
Box 3
"Joe's Special Teachers"
Scope and Contents
Contains reproductions of photographs and letters of instructors with whom Valenti studied including, Al Sendry, Del Steigers,
Rafael Mendez, Pierre Monteux and Leonard ("Uncle Leo") Valenti.
Box 3
Joseph Valenti history
Scope and Contents
Includes life history of Joseph Valenti and Celebration of Life brochures.
Box 3
Joseph A. Valenti - Trumpet Bio
n.d.
Scope and Contents
Includes listing of groups, performers and muscians with whom Valenti played or backed up.
Performer Photographs
ca 1967-1982
Scope and Contents
Includes original and duplicate headshot photos of performers with whom Valenti played. Many headshots photos signed.
Box 3
Ames, Nancy
Scope and Contents
Message faded and illegible. Publicity photo of Nancy Ames, represented by William Morris Agency, Inc. with Kenneth F. Martel,
personal manager.
Box 3
Balogh, Endre
26 March 1977
General
Endre Balogh appeared as a soloist with the Peninsula Symphony.
Box 3
Brando, Marlon and Mike Monteleone
Box 3
Brown, Ronnie
1 July 1982
Scope and Contents
Includes publicity photo of Ronnie Brown, represented by Columbia Artists Management, Inc. and personal managers Robert McCrillis
and Herbert D. Fox. Includes second photo of Ronnie Brown and ?Tyana.
Box 3
Golabek, Mona
1976 Oct
General
Mona Golabek performed as piano solist with the Peninsula Symphony in October 1976.
Box 3
[Golabek] "Renee - Valenti - Mona - Lisa"
Scope and Contents
Includes photograph of Renee Golabek, Joseph Valenti, Mona Golabek and Renee and Mona's mother, Lisa Golabek.
Box 3
Gustavson, Eva
12 Feb 1971
General
Contralto Eva Gustavson performed at a Peninsula Symphony function.
Box 3
Harth, Sidney
1977 Oct
General
Harth performed in concert on violin with the Peninsula Symphony in 1977.
Box 3
Kaufman, Louis
17 Dec 1972
General
Louis Kaufman performed as soloist with the Peninsula Symphony in December, 1972.
Box 3
Kitt, Eartha
General
Valenti was hired as a professional Union trumpet player for Kitt's back up band for various performances.
Box 3
Korda, Murray
Scope and Contents
Photocopy of original photo, with text "MURRAY KORDA / Director of the Internationally Celebrated / MONSEIGNEUR STRINGS".
Box 3
Martin, Tony
18 Sept 1966
General
Valenti played jazz trumpet for Tony Martin's performances.
Box 3
Mendez, Rafael
Scope and Contents
Includes photocopy of original publicity photo and a second candid photo of Valenti and Mendez sitting on a sofa.
Box 3
Neblett, Carol
Scope and Contents
Includes three photographs: one with text "CAROL NEBLETT, Soprano / Photo: Aaron M. Levin"; one with text "CAROL NEBLETT,
Soprano / Paul Morse, photographer; and a third of Neblett and Luciano Pavarotti with handwritten note on back, "Dark wig
for role of Tosca / Really fine costume jewellry / Seen here as Tosca wtih Luciano Pavarotti / Carol Neblett / Please return
/ 18."
Box 4
The Pierce Sisters
1968
Scope and Contents
Includes one group photo of the Piece Sisters band with each sister holding an instrument and handwritten signatures, for
Terri, Barbara, Debbie, Bindy, Patty and Lori; one three-quarter length publicity photo of Terri Pierce holding a trumpet;
and handwritten letter on Bali Hai - Motor Hotel stationery addressed to Valenti from Terri Pierce.
Box 4
Pennario, Leonard
1973
Scope and Contents
Includes one photograph of Leonard Pennario and Joseph Valenti and one publicity photo of Leonard Pennario. Pennario appeared
as a soloist in at least two Peninsula Symphony concerts.
Box 4
Roderman, Gilbert
Scope and Contents
Gilbert Roderman was the first soloist for the Peninsula Symphony in 1967.
Box 4
Schoenfeld, Alice and Eleonore
1983 Dec
Scope and Contents
Publicity image of Alice (violin) and Eleonore (cello) Schoenfeld.
Box 4
Smith, Keely
Scope and Contents
Publicity photo of Keely Smith, represented by Ashley Famous Agency, with management by De Carlo - Kresky Enterprises.
Box 4
Worley, Jo Anne
Scope and Contents
Publicity photo of Jo Anne Worley, represented by Creative Management Associates, with personal management Gene Yusem & Associates.
Joseph Valenti personal records
1939 - 2008
Box 4
Bijan advertising campaign material
1994
Scope and Contents
Includes photographs, publicity tearsheets and audition material for Bijan perfume ad campaign featuring Bijan spokesmodel
Niki Khalatbari and Joseph Valenti.
Box 4
Culver City Symphony
1964
Scope and Contents
Includes an invitation, program flyers and newspaper clippings related to the premier concert for the Culver City Symphony.
Box 4
Los Angeles Senior Symphony
1994-1996
Scope and Contents
Includes program flyers and photographs.
Box 4
Southwest Symphony Association and Orchestra
1960-1962
Scope and Contents
Includes programs, clippings and photographs.
Box 4
Symphony #4 sheet music
Scope and Contents
Includes two pages handwritten score title '?Theme from Sym #4'.
Box 4
Symphonic Arts Foundation
ca 1978 - 1980
Scope and Contents
Includes programs, clippings and a program from A Tribute to Nelson Riddle dated April 16, 1978.
Box 4
Tony Christlies drawings and photos
1997-1998
Scope and Contents
Includes drawings of Joseph Valenti and the symphony by former Peninsula Symphony member Tony Christlies. Drawings set dated
1997 titled, Time Is Money. 1998 drawings set includes handwritten note: 'To Maestro Valenti with cherised memories of a great
opening concert season!' and signed by Tony Christlies.
Box 4
Valenti appearances
1954-1982; nd
Scope and Contents
Includes program flyers of concerts in which Joseph Valenti played. Of particular note is a program for the Armed Forces
Revue for American Legion Day, April 4, 1954.
Box 4
Valenti awards and commendations
1939-1941; 1979
Box 4
Valenti biographical information and master works
ca 1972-2008
Box 4
Valenti correspondence
1951-2003
Scope and Contents
Includes material from the Army related to possible radiation exposure during atmospheric nuclear testing conducted from 1945-1962.
Box 4
Valenti photographs
ca 1951-1974
Scope and Contents
Includes publicity headshots, family snap shots and photographs of Valenti conducting.
Box 4
Valenti publication cover pages
ca 1979; nd
Scope and Contents
Includes cover pages of instructional booklets published by Valenti.
Box 4
Valenti writings
ca 1997; nd
Scope and Contents
Includes typed copy of 'The Atom Bomb Tests I Survived,' a story written for a writing class Valenti took at California State
University at Dominguez Hills; and several short articles on music education.
Valenti family scrapbooks and oversize materials
Scope and Contents
Includes original and reproduced photographs and clippings showing the Valenti family and the Peninsula Symphony. Portions
of scrapbook reproduced in Celebration of Life materials.
Box OV 1, Folder 2
Peninsula Symphony Week May 30 - June 5 poster
Box OV 1, Folder 2
U.S. Naval Training Center photo
29 Nov 1945
Box OV 1, Folder 2
Copy of sheet music of Symphony #1 by Joseph Valenti
1972
Physical Description: 27 Leaves
Scope and Contents
Handwritten note, "Zerox copy of Symphony #1 by Joseph Valenti 1972 + performed with the Peninsula Sym. under Joseph A. Valenti
the same year."
