Verna Golden Scott Papers

Collection

Identifier: 385

Staff Only

Scope and content note

The collection consists of correspondence (1919-31) with various booking agents to arrange contracts for appearances in Minneapolis. There are very few outgoing letters from Scott. Of special note is a talk Scott gave in 1925 on WCCO Radio which outlines her role as an impresario. On Nov. 14, 1929, she raises an objection to using Northrop Memorial Auditorium as a classroom. In a letter dated July 28, 1930, she proposes bringing the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra to Northrop.

Approximately two thirds of the collection consists of photographs of performers and publicity material such as biographies, brochures, and news releases sent to Scott by booking agents to be used in local publicity and in program notes. Very few of the photographs are autographed. Of note is an undated photograph of Jascha Heifetz playing the violin with Helen Keller touching the bridge to feel the music. There are extensive press releases and related material on African American singers Paul Robeson and Roland Hayes.

Dates

Creation: 1919-1931

Language of Materials

English

Use of materials:

Items in this collection do not circulate and can be used in-house only.

Copyright:

Requests for permission to quote Scott should be arranged with the archivist of the University of Minnesota Archives. Many of the photographs of the performers are copyrighted by photographic studios.

Biographical note

Verna Golden was born in River Falls, WI. She met her husband, Carlyle Scott, while studying music in Leipzig, Germany. Carlyle Scott received an appointment to teach music at the University of Minnesota in 1904. Verna Scott was appointed director of the University Concert course in 1919. The Concert Course grew out of a community driven need for recitals by individual performers. Scott was successful in securing well-known performers such Alexander Brailowsky, Pablo Casals, Jascha Heifetz, Sigrid Onegin, Rosa Ponselle and Andras Segovia to the Twin Cities. University performances were held in the Armory. Scott also arranged for performances at the Lyceum Theatre and Orchestra Hall. In 1929, she was involved in organizing concerts for the dedication of Northrop Memorial Auditorium and in persuading the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra to make its home in Northrop. At this time, the Concert Course became the Artist's Series. Although Scott was director of the Artist's Course until her retirement in 1944, the collection ends in 1931.

Extent

1.0 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection consists of correspondence with booking agents and publicity material regarding artists engaged by Scott to perform at the University of Minnesota and other venues.

Source of acquisition:

The Music Library of the University of Minnesota transferred the collection to University Archives in 1951 as the Carlyle Scott papers.

Related material

See also the James S. Lombard Papers and a Plan B paper by Karla B. Holmquist, The University Artist's Course: 1919-1944, 1983. Also see records for University of Minnesota Department of Concerts and Lectures and Department of Music.