Steve Zellmer Collection of Minnesota Orchestra

Collection

Identifier: PA012C

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

This is a personal collection about the Minnesota Orchestra and Zellmer that reflects his work with and interest in the Orchestra. It is an source of information about musicians who played with the Orchestra and information about Orchestra tours. The files include clippings about musicians and reviews of the Orchestra on tour; materials from his time on the Musicians’ Committee; and notes he made about his favorite concerts and other Orchestra activities. Folder labels are those given by Zellmer. Also included are photographs he took of composers’ graves and tombs in Europe.

The scrapbooks document tours of the Orchestra from 1957 to 1985 and contain travel and personal photos, postcards, newspaper reviews of the Orchestra on tour, wine & beer labels, and other travel memorabilia. These items reflect on Zellmer's interests: food and drink, art, baseball, history, natural history and architecture.

Dates

Creation: 1942-95

Language of Materials

English

Restrictions on Access

The collection is open and available for use by researchers in the Andersen Library Reading Room.

Restrictions on Use

Biographical Note

Steve Zellmer was the principal trombone player with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra/Minnesota Orchestra from 1954 to 1995. During World War II he was a member of the 42nd Infantry Division Band. After the war he studied at the American Conservatory of Music and Roosevelt College. He played with the Chicago Civic Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony before coming to Minneapolis. He performed with various ensembles including the Minneapolis Brass Ensemble.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (4 boxes and 4 scrapbooks)

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection includes scrapbooks, personal files, and memorabilia from a musician who was the principal trombone player for the Minnesota Orchestra for over forty years.

Organization of the Collection

The collection is roughly organized by material type.

Physical Location

Zone B, R6, D4, Shelf 16

Acquisition

Files were transferred in the late 1990s; scrapbooks were donated by Frank Winsor in 2001.

Separated Material

Numerous Orchestra programs (both at home and on tour) and magazines were transferred to the Minnesota Orchestra Archives, Series 10; M.O.A. annual reports were transferred to Series 1; programs from unrelated performances were transferred to PA 46.

The following items were discarded: Advertising supplement to the N.Y. Times, Sept. 16, 1990; High Fidelity, Feb. 1960 (article about Chicago Symphony Orchestra); Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 1971-72 season; Time(magazine), Feb. 22, 1963 (cover feature article on George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra).