Mastersingers Inc. records

Collection

Identifier: RG-0000-0101

Staff Only

Content Description

The Mastersingers records date from 1978 through 2014. Suellen Alford, a longtime singer in the Mastersingers, compiled the collection and made the associated scrapbooks. Records include performance schedules, photographs, reviews, notes, flyers, programs, budgets, ticket sales, financial statements, group constitutions, board member duties and responsibilities, fundraiser attendees and contributors, personnel information, scrapbooks, and compact discs of their music. The records provide a detailed account of the beginnings and growth of the Mastersingers through 2014.

Dates

1978 - 2014

Biographical / Historical

The Mastersingers was formed in Cookeville, Tennessee in 1978. It originated with community members who all had a desire to sing. Dr. David Urness served as the first choral director. It was Mr. and Mrs. Urness along with Alice Derryberry who formulated the idea of forming the group. The choral group started out small with just eighteen members but steadily grew, and would eventually incorporate as Mastersingers Inc.

As of 2016, the Mastersingers were based out of Tennessee Technological University. Member were historically associated with the university, but it was not a requirement. Students can and did join the Mastersingers, but many members were regular citizens of Cookeville and surrounding areas. Since its creation, the Mastersingers had hundreds of choral members and performed before thousands of audience members. As of 2016, they performed choral music in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet

11 Volumes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Mastersingers was a choral group that was formed in 1977 by Mr. and Mrs. David Urness and Alice Derryberry in Cookeville, Tennessee. David Urness served as the Mastersingers first choral director. Although based at Tennessee Technological University, members are not required to be students. Many members come from Cookeville and surrounding areas. The records date from 1978 to 2014 and include ephemera, memorabilia, and the official records of the Mastersingers such as information on membership and singers, board member meetings, constitutions, budgets, and financial statements.

Arrangement

Records are arranged into three series: Series I: General Files; Series II: Ephemera; and Series III: Scrapbooks. Records are arranged chronologically within series.