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SOC.XIII Records of the Cambridge University Literary Society
SOC.XIV Records of the Cambridge University Rifle Association
SOC.XIX.1 Cambridge University Hillwalking Club unofficial trip report books
SOC.XL Records of Cambridge University Amnesty International
SOC.XLI Records of the Cambridge University Strathspey and Reel Club
SOC.XV Records of the Cambridge University Musical Society
SOC.XVI Records of the Cambridge University Musical Club
SOC.XVII Records of the Cambridge University Detective Fiction Society
SOC.XVIII Records of the Cambridge University Athletic Club
SOC.XX Records relating to the Cambridge University Musical Comedy Club productions
SOC.XXI Records of the Cambridge University Mountaineering Club
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Records of the Cambridge University Musical Society

Title Records of the Cambridge University Musical Society
Reference GBR/0265/SOC.XV
Creator Cambridge University Musical Society
Covering Dates 1843–1994
Extent and Medium 5 metres; paper; photograph
Repository Cambridge University Archives
Content and context

The Society was founded in Peterhouse in 1843 for the study and performance of choral, orchestral and chamber music by members of the University. It initially comprised a skeletal orchestra and a chorus of men's voices, supported by lay clerks and choir boys. Society regeneration and expansion was the achievement of Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) who became conductor in 1873. He raised the standards of performance, organised joint oratorio performances with city music societies and regularly invited internationally reknowned composers to be guest conductors. Largely at his encouragement, women were admitted, first as Ladies Associate members from 1872. In the early decades of the 20th century, dramatic productions were a feature of CUMS performances. Also from this period dates the tradition of performing new and unusual works to national critical acclaim. A second or junior orchestra, CUMS II, was given formally recognition in 1953 and a Wind orchestra founded in 1987. The Society performed in the Guildhall until the 1960s when it moved to the Music School on West Road. The following have been conductors: Charles Villiers Stanford, 1873-93; Cyril Rootham, 1912-36; Boris Ord, 1937-41, 1945-54; David Willcocks, 1958-73, Philip Ledger, 1973-83; Stephen Cleobury, 1983- .

The 150th anniversary souvenir booklet includes a detailed history of the Society 1843-1993 (see SOC.XV.12.27).

All aspects of Society activity are reflected in the archives from the early years onwards; the programme and scrapbook sequences being particularly full.

The records were transferred to the University Archives on permanent loan from the Pendlebury Library by Ms Maggie Hayward, Society Secretary, on 28 March 2000. SOC.XV.12.33-4 were transferred from King's College on 27 Sept. 2001.

Access and Use

For permission to publish any material in the CUMS archives, please contact the Secretary of the Society (details are at http://www.cums.org.uk/).

Please cite as Cambridge University Archives, Records of the Cambridge University Musical Society, SOC.XV

Further information

The online catalogue for Janus was completed in October 2006.

Index Terms
Choirs
Clubs
Music
Musical Performances
Orchestras
Cambridge University Musical Society
Ord, Bernhard (1897-1961) conductor, called Boris
Stanford, Sir Charles Villiers (1852-1924) Knight, composer and conductor
Rootham, Cyril Bradley (1875-1938) author and composer
University/SOC.XV contains:
SOC.XV.1 Minutes of meetings of the Committee.
7 volumes.		 1848–1977
SOC.XV.2 Minutes of meetings of other Society committees.
1 volume.		 Nov. 1907-Oct. 1912
SOC.XV.3 Rule books and printed laws of the Society.
14 items.		 1846–1986
SOC.XV.4 Accounts, balances and cash books.
13 volumes.		 1851–1979
SOC.XV.5 Financial papers.
Creator: Treasurer.
2 boxes.		 1859–1956
SOC.XV.6 Membership, subscriptions and invitations books.
15 items.		 1861–1991
SOC.XV.7 Concert subscription books.
2 volumes.		 1876–1877
SOC.XV.8 Certificates of qualification to participate in the Society's chorus and orchestra.
1 volume.		 Nov. 1877-Nov. 1881
SOC.XV.9 Correspondence.
29 envelopes.		 1871–1977
SOC.XV.10 Catalogues of musical scores owned by the Society.
4 volumes.		 1850–1910
SOC.XV.11 Circulars, notices and posters relating to public performances and the administration of the Society. 1845–1994
SOC.XV.12 Programmes of performances given by the Society and other organisations, occasionally with related records.
2 metres; paper.		 1843–1994
SOC.XV.13 Concert review books.
2 volumes.		 1844–1877
SOC.XV.14 Scrapbooks.
7 volumes; paper.		 1865–1940
SOC.XV.15 Photographs.
1 album.		 1920–1980
SOC.XV.16 Press cuttings, chiefly reviews of CUMS performances.
approximately 200 items.		 1913–1980
SOC.XV.17 Miscellaneous documents relating to the Society or kept with its records.
7 envelopes.		 1874–1969
SOC.XV.18 Records of the Fitzwilliam Musical Society.
Creator: Fitzwilliam Musical Society.
2 volumes.		 1858–1871

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