Philharmonic Society of Gainesville Records

A group of local citizens started the Philharmonic Society of Gainesville in 1911 in order to present monthly musical programs to the community. In the early years of the Society, the musical programs were performed in the homes of its members but later moved to public venues. Most members took part in the music, while those who were not musically inclined aided in the administrative needs of the club. The first year, the Society had 53 members. The Society primarily performed traditional classical selections such as Mendelssohn, Bach, and Schumann, opera selections such as The Mikado, and folk music. As the Society became more known in the community, they began performing concerts to raise money for local initiatives, for example, a record player for a local school in 1918. However, the Society was in near constant financial straits, a fact that on one occasion led a visiting orchestra to go on strike when they were left unpaid prior to their performance. The Society had a good relationship with the University of Florida and from the 1930s built their musical programs with the aid of University professors, staff, and students. The Society continued until at least the 1970s but it is unclear exactly when it disbanded or if it was absorbed into another organization.