the story of the
all-women's orchestra
in california
When the Los Angeles Philharmonic celebrated is 100th anniversary in 2019, who remembered that The Los Angeles Women's Symphony was established in the 1890s, more than 25 years earlier?
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What happened to the all-women performing ensembles in San Francisco, San Diego, Riverside, Glendale, Stockton, and elsewhere in the state, active between 1892 and 1955?
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Fueled by anecdotal information from women who played in those ensembles, Jeannie Gayle Pool's research is foundational. It paved the way to radio and video documentaries, articles, books, recordings, photography exhibitions and the legendary 1986 Tribute to the Pioneer Women Musicians of Los Angeles. Over 100 women, who had enjoyed professional music careers in the 1920s through the '50s, were celebrated.
This book offers a much-needed re-examination of the significant contribution by all-women ensembles to their California communities, and beyond. With more than 40 rare photographs, a bibliography, and other documents, it will inspire new study of these performing ensembles, integral to the stat'es internationally acclaimed musical culture.
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The Story of the All-Women's Orchestras in California (2020), by Jeannie Gayle Pool. Foreword by Louise DiTullio, including bibliography by Stephen M. Fry. 158 pages. $9.95. Available through this website or through Amazon Books.
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CONTENTS
Illustrations
Foreword by Louise DiTullio (Hollywood studio flutist)
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Contents
Women in California Music Life
The 1880s in Los Angeles and the Founding of the Los Angeles Women’s Symphony
The Los Angeles Women’s Symphony, 1901-1939
San Francisco's Saturday Morning Orchestra
The Los Angeles Women's Symphony, 1901-1939
The Long Beach Woman’s Symphony Orchestra
The Pan-Pacific Woman’s Orchestra
The Ruth Haroldson Years of the Los Angeles Women’s Symphony
Women Musicians During World War II
Women’s Jazz Bands, 1920-1950
Peggy Gilbert and Her All-Girl Groups
The International Sweethearts of Rhythm
Clora Bryant and Black All-Women’s Bands, 1945-1955
The decline in the 1950s
Contemporary All-Women’s Groups
Bay Area Women’s Philharmonic
The Dixie Belles
Alive!
Maiden Voyage
California All-Women Orchestras and Ensembles, 1893-1985
"The Story of the All-Women's Orchestras in California, 1893-1955, Bibliography," compiled by Stephen M. Fry, wth the assistance of Jeannie Pool
Program Booklet, Tribute to the Pioneer Women Musicians of Los Angeles
"All Women's Orchestras: An Historical Perspective," by Jeannie G. Pool, Paid My Dues, Summer 1978
Postscript
Index
About the Author
About Louise DiTullio
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REVIEWS
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"This fascinating volume gives these neglected artists the respect they always deserved!" Tom DiNardo, arts writer" - Philadelphia Daily News
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"The determined, pioneering efforts of these early California women musicians paved the way for so many of us." - Deon Nielsen Price, composer, pianist, author, educator
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Cover design: Beverly Simmons,
ffortissimo Design