Unit Publications
The Unit Publications series (12 linear feet) contains six file: annual reports, brochures, histories, newsletters, programs, and scripts. Brochures, flyers, and publicity items will be found under the heading "Brochures." The four additional file are "Histories," "Newsletters," "Programs," and "Scripts."
The annual reports cover the period from 1939 through 1958. The file "Brochures" includes promotional material of many sorts, most of it created by the UMS. A few promotional items created by the artists and used by UMS are included. Under "Histories", the researcher will find a copy of One Hundred Years of Great Performances, a publication celebrating the centennial of the University Musical Society. It is found in Box 12. Within the Publications the most important file is the complete set of Programs for University Musical Society presentations from 1874 through to the present. Programs contain information on artists, photographs, publicity and reviews.
The comprehensive file of house Programs begins in 1874. From 1874 to 1879 programs are included for concerts given under the auspices of the University of Michigan including "Grand Commencement Concerts." On December 16, 1879, the "First Concert of the Ann Arbor Choral Union" was given. The name "University Musical Society" appears on a notice for the "First Public Rehearsal given by the University Musical Society and the Choral Union," May 4, 1880. The original concert series sponsored by the University Musical Society was called the Choral Union Series; its first season was 1879/1880. In 1894 the first of the May Festivals was held. In some years special concerts were held and in 1919/20 the Extra Concert Series and the Matinee Musicale Series began. The Matinee Musicale Series ran for two years, the Extra Concert Series continued through 1927/28. During 1892/93 the University School of Music sponsored a chamber series in Newberry Hall. Programs for that series are included.
In 1940 the UMS began a pre-Christmas presentation of the Messiah. In 1941 a Chamber Music Festival was initiated and a Special Concert was added. The Extra Concert Series was brought back beginning in 1946/47. By 1963/64 the presentation lineup included: a pre-season concert, ten Choral Union Series concerts, five concerts in the Extra Concerts series, a Chamber Arts Series of seven concerts, a three-concert Chamber Dance Festival, a special presentation by the New York City Opera, two Messiah performances, three concerts in the Chamber Music Festival, six concerts in the May Festival, and four concerts in a new Summer Concert Series, a total of 42 performances. In 1971 the Choice Series began. The 1973/74 season included 57 concerts in eight series. Beginning in 1984/85 programs for the Ann Arbor Summer Festival are included. Also included are the program for the dedication of the Frieze organ, December 14, 1894, and miscellaneous organ and other recitals.