Archives
More than a century's worth of stories
The Archives
The Archives of The Cleveland Orchestra is a working resource center that serves both the institution and the public. Its prime function is to organize, preserve, and promote the historical records of the institution, which includes The Cleveland Orchestra and its parent non-profit organization, the Musical Arts Association, as well as materials related to Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center.
Stories from the Archives
The institution’s historical heritage is expressed in a wide variety of media such as documents, sound recordings, photographic materials, and artifacts.
Remembering Ravel’s Conducting Debut in Cleveland
Many great composers of the twentieth century have come to Cleveland at the invitation of The Cleveland Orchestra to conduct concerts of their own music. Surely one of the most unforgettable was the time that Maurice Ravel came to town.
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Adella Prentiss Hughes: The Mother of The Cleveland Orchestra
Meet Adella Prentiss Hughes, whose vision, determination, and largesse led to the founding of The Cleveland Orchestra in 1918.
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Opening the Doors: Celebrating 50 Years of Key and Family Concerts
Cleveland's youngest audiences have been a priority since The Cleveland Orchestra was founded in 1918. The Key Concerts, established in 1970, were an important chapter in this educational mission.
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Severance Music Center: Cleveland’s “Giant Jewel Box”
Severance Music Center and The Cleveland Orchestra have been cultural icons in Cleveland for so many decades that it can be challenging to imagine the city without them. Colloquially known as “America’s Finest,” the Orchestra has garnered acclaim since its founding in 1918.
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The Prometheus Project
The Cleveland Orchestra Archives Scrapbook Collection contains over 100 years of News and Reviews documenting the Orchestra’s founding, concert activity, and tours. Included are the building of Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center. The collection is being digitized in sections, so return often to see what new materials are available.
Cleveland Public Library Digital Gallery
Scrapbook Collection
The Cleveland Orchestra Archives Scrapbook Collection contains over 100 years of News and Reviews documenting the Orchestra’s founding, concert activity, and tours. Included are the building of Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center. The collection is being digitized in sections, so return often to see what new materials are available.
Cleveland Public Library Digital Gallery
Soundwave
A century of excellence, an extraordinary future. Visit 100 moments from The Cleveland Orchestra's past 100 years – from our founding to our centennial celebration in 2018.
Are you a professional researcher?
We encourage an appreciation of the Orchestra's historical heritage by making most of its non-current records open to serious researchers of any age
Researchers are able to consult such materials as correspondence, press releases, a nearly complete set of programs, photos, scrapbooks, minutes and annual reports. In addition, various internal databases provide efficient access to information. Research inquiries can be made by mail, by phone, or by a scheduled visit with the Archivist.
From time to time, the Archives has a need for interns with historical, musical, research, and/or library background.
Please call 216-231-7382 or email our Archives department to schedule an appointment or for more information.