Skip to main content

Latvian Chorus of Detroit (Detoitas Latviesu Koris) records

 Collection — Folder: 1
Identifier: IHRC1334

Abstract

Papers (1964-1989) consists of choir board meeting minutes, final report from the choir`s tresurer of July 3,1988, the acknoledgement by the Latvian Study Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan of the receipt of donated books of music in August 2,1988. Materials also include a notebook (1971-1989) from the last board president Mirdza Undenans. The notebook includes a list of members, rehearsal attendance sheet, some short notes about choir meetings, choir songs, festivals and concerts. There are some photos included in this notebook from the Song Festival in Milwaukee in 1984. There is also one photo from one of the last meetings of old choir members in 1989.

Board meeting minutes start with the 2nd board meeting minutes taken on October 5,1964, and include the minutes from the last board meeting on November 23,1987.

Dates

  • Creation: 1964-1989

Creator

Language of Materials

Latvian

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.

OWNERSHIP & LITERARY RIGHTS

This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

Latvian Chorus of Detroit (Detroitas Latviesu Koris) was founded in Autumn 1951. It has allways taken part in Latvan Song Festivals in Canada, in the U.S. In Europe, Latvan Song Festival is a phenomenon which still exists in Baltic countries. The first Latvian Song Festival was organized in 1873. It is usually held every five years, extends for a week, includes singing Latvian folk songs and choir songs by Latvian composers of the 19th century. After World War II there were two branches of Latvian Song Festival - one continued to develop in Soviet Latvia, the other in Latvian exile. Latvian Chorus of Detroit gave concerts to the local Latvian community in Detroit and in its surroundings. The initial years of choir life were most successful. A lot of Latvians were choir members, so the number increased steadily. Hard times came when the first conductor of the choir - Peteris Banders died in 1962. Although the choir lost some members it continued to work under the leadership of Roberts Zuiks (1964-1967). But in 1971 the number of members was so low that the choir disbanded. Already in 1972 the choir restarted its work with a new conductor - Vallija Mellina. She was not able to serve for long because of her job duties. Anna Bei(o?)dze became the new conductor. However, the number of choir members continued to decrease. The last contuctor and board president of the choir was Mirdza Undenans. From 1973 to 1981 there were just a few members of the choir. The last choir performance was in 1978, when 10 choir members participated in the Song Feltival in Boston. The choir ceased to exist on November 23,1987.

Extent

1 linear inch

PROVENANCE

The records of the Latvian Chorus of Detroit were given to the IHRC in 1988 by Mirdza Undenans (last board president of the choir) of Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Title
Inventory of the Latvian Chorus of Detroit (Detoitas Latviesu Koris) records.
Author
IHRC Archives
Date
2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding Aid in English

Collecting Area Details

Contact The Immigration History Research Center Archives Collecting Area

Contact:

612-625-4800