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Association of Mormon Composers and Performers

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1969 - approximately 1974

Parallel Names

  • Latter-day Saint Composers Association

Biography

The Association of Mormon Composers and Performers (1969-1974) was a networking organization for Latter-day Saint composers and performers.

The Association of Mormon Composers and Performers (AMCAP) was established under the name Latter-day Saint Composers Association (LSCA) in 1969. Its purpose was "dedicated to the composition and performance of excellent music for worship, artistic expression, and entertainment." The organization was formed by Merrill Bradshaw and Kay Brown, who had met at a composer's workshop and wanted to start the organization to share ideas and challenges with other Latter-day Saint composers. Merrill Bradshaw began editing a newsletter for the organization, called "Notes," and sent out the first issue in July 1969. The newsletter included topics such as choir maintenance, vocal music, and using education to help music in the church. LSCA held a convention for composers during the Mormon Festival of Arts in 1973, during which time they elected officers, expanded the organization to include performers, and changed the name to Association of Mormon Composers and Performers. The organization was active through at least April 1974.

Citation:
Rowan Taylor collection on Latter-day Saint Los Angeles area music programs, 1951-1975 (Association of Mormon Composers and Performers)

AMCAP catalogue of composers, 1974 (Association of Mormon Composers and Performers, 1974) https://byu.on.worldcat.org/search/detail/14015331?queryString=au%3D%22Association%20of%20Mormon%20Composers%20and%20Performers.%22&clusterResults=true&groupVariantRecords=false

AMCAP notes, volume 1 number 1, June 1973 p. inside cover, 3 ("Dedicated to the composition and performance of excellent music for worship, artistic expression, and entertainment"; AMCAP established in April of 1969 when Merrill Bradshaw and Kay Brown, Latter-day Saint composers, met at a composer's workshop. Merrill Bradshaw, who worked at BYU, started a newsletter for the organization, which was named the Latter-day Saint Composers Association (LSCA). Was called "Notes." A convention for composers was held during the Mormon Festival of Arts in 1973. At the convention, election of officers was held and expanded the organization to include performers and changed the name to Association of Mormon Composers and Performers (AMCAP))

AMPCAP notes, volume 1 number 2, October 1973 (Maintenance of choirs; at the first annual Southern California Festival of L.D.S. music, there were fifty-five compositions by twenty-three L.D.S. composers; Rowan Taylor president of AMCAP)

AMPCAP notes, volume 1 number 3, January 1974 (How education can help music in the church, vocal music)

AMPCAP notes, volume 1 number 4, April 1974 (Still active)

LDS Composer's Association notes, volume 1 number 1, July 1969 (First issue; newsletter to help composers communicate and share ideas and challenges; not an offical church entity)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Rowan Taylor collection on Latter-day Saint Los Angeles area music programs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9552
Scope and Contents Contains materials on Latter-day Saints' music programs in the Los Angeles, California, area, including the Mutual Improvement Association's music festivals, collected by Rowan S. Taylor. Contains conductor and instrumental scores, planning records, programs, letters, clippings, reviews, reports, orchestra rosters, and orchestra scores and parts, meeting minutes and agendas, phonograph records, and other documents. Also includes a collection of black and white photographs from the MIA...
Dates: 1951-1975