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Angelaires (Musical group)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: approximately 1950 - 1958

Biographical History

The Angelaires Harp Ensemble (approximately 1950-1958) was a popular touring music production across the United States and Canada.

The Angelaires began as the Philadephia Harp Ensemble – a group of five Curtis Institute students under the direction of Virginia Werner Hatter. These five were Elizabeth Yockey, Jeanne Fintz, Virginia Werner Hatter, Carol Baum, and Marian Harding. During this time they were discovered Howard Lanin. Under the direction of Carlos Salzedo, and many employed arrangers, the ensemble transformed into a production. The arrangements came from Carlos Salzedo, Paul Soffray (Carol Baum’s Husband), Maurice Peress, and many others. They began touring in 1951, and by their 1953-1954 season they were hitting over 100 venues in the United States and Canada. During this time they were featured on such programs as Ed Sullivan’s “Toast of the Town”. The Angelaires have also appeard in shows and concerts with such important stars as James Melton, Kate Smith, Herb Shriner, Victor Borge, Conrad Thibault, Andre Kostelanetz, Vivian Della Chiesa, Paul Lavelle, and Frank Sinatra. The members of the Angelaires from 1951-1958 include: Patricia Wentworth, Gayle Horn, Jude Mollenhauer, Ruther Wickersham, Joan Harrison, Genevieve Duffy, Bonnie Ward, Marjo Breusing, Jaleen Haden, Lizbeth Wilfey, Jeanne Chalifoux, Kathleen Haden, Diane Williams, Marian Harding, Bonnie Ward, and Nanette Norton.

Citation:
UPB files, July 10, 2014 (manager was Howard Lanin, 1949 began as Philadelphia Harp Ensemble, all the members, the people they performed with, where they toured, who their arrangers were).

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

Angelaires ensemble arrangements, approximately 1949-1958

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8266 Series 5
Scope and Contents Contains arrangements for the Angelaires, as well as a few orchestral pieces. The arrangements are often not complete, with three out of the five parts, or without a full score. Maurice Peress, Paul Soffray, and Virginia Werner Hatten arranged the majority of the pieces. There are often transitions included which resemble Ruth Wickersham's handwriting. Based on the markings and names on the parts, they appear to have been performed, or assigned to specific members of the ensemble. Dates...
Dates: approximately 1949-1958

Angelaires periodical clippings, 1950-1991, bulk: 1953-1957

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8266 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents This subseries contains press clippings from newspapers, the Musical America, and other periodicals. Materials include full periodicals, articles that have been cut out or photocopied, and typed biographies and histories for reporters. The majority of clippings were collected by the mother of one the ensemble members, between 1953 and 1957. The rest seemed to be collected by various members. Content of the articles regards concert critiques, history of the ensemble, biographies of the...
Dates: 1950-1991; Majority of material found within 1953-1957

Angelaires records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 8266
Scope and Contents This collection contains a variety of materials regarding the Angelaires harp ensemble. Includes touring itineraries and information, programs, correspondence, news clippings, photographs, season scrapbook, and ensemble arrangements. The itineraries provide logistics for each of the six tours. Correspondence is a combination of professional and personal, including several of the Angelaire members and their producers. The photographs are both professional and personal in nature, detailing...
Dates: 1947-2000

Angelaires season records, 1950-1991

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8266 Series 1
Scope and Contents

This series contains various materials regarding the professional seasons of the Angelaires. These materials includes a ’52-’53 scrapbook with inserts, periodical clippings, photographs, programs and promotional materials, member timeline and solo counts and tour itineraries with a few maps. Dates range from 1950-1991.

Dates: 1950-1991

Angelaires season scrapbook and inserts, approximately 1952-1989, bulk: 1952-1956

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8266 Series 1 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents This subseries contains a scrapbook titled Angelaires 52-53 Season. The pages of the book include newspaper clippings and programs. The clippings regard concert critiques, the Angelaires background, promotional pieces, and concert advertisements. The newspapers are from various towns their tour passed through. In addition to the material taped to the pages, several photographs and postcards were inserted within the pages of the scrapbook. The pictures are a combination of professional...
Dates: approximately 1952-1989; Majority of material found within 1952-1956

Filtered By

  • Subject: American newspapers X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 4
Collection 1
 
Subject
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 3
Contracts 3
Harp ensembles 3
Music 3
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) 2