ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collection
HMSS 0095 New Music Society Records
Scope and Content Notes
| Call Number | HMSS 0095 |
|---|---|
| Collection | New Music Society Records |
| Date Range | 1971-1999 |
| Quantity | 1m (4 manuscript boxes) |
| Access Conditions | open |
| Copying Conditions | research and study only |
| Related Colelctions | - |
The New Music Society, originally called Musicanova, established to encourage and promote the performance of recent music, particularly by composers and performers resident in Canberra.
The Society commissioned new contemporary works and sponsored concerts of contemporary music in the ACT.
Its inaugural meeting was held on 3 August 1971 and it ceased operations in October 1999 as it felt that with the development of the Canberra School of Music, it had outlived its usefulness. Funds were transferred to Gallery Players.
Notable among its achievements were two multimedia works "Australian Bush" in 1974 and "Rainforest" in 1978 to draw attention to threatened natural environments.
The 1978 work, "Rainforest", included contributions by poets A.D. Hope, Judith Wright, David Campbell and Rosemary Dobson.
The bulk of the collection are the papers of long-time Society secretary Peggy Russell-Jones, aka Jane Bradhurst. Files may contain correspondence, procedural and organisational documents, as well as draft committee minutes and file notes. There is little organisation evident.
Box List
| Box No. | Description | Quantity | Date Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minutes (and other records) of Committee Meetings | 1 file | 1971-1976 |
| 1 | Minutes of Committee Meetings | 1 vol | March –June 1972 |
| 1 | Correspondence and Mailing Lists | 1 file | 1971-1974 |
| 1 | Secretary’s Papers meeting papers, correspondence and attendance registers |
2 files | 1971-1974 |
| 1 | Correspondence | 1 file | 1973-1974 |
| 1 | Activities | 1 file | 1975 |
| 1 | Financial Records | 1 file | 1973-1978 |
| 1 | Australian Bush Correspondence and procedural documents largely concerning the production of the multi-media work “Australian Bush” |
3 files | 1973-1974 |
| 2 |
Adam Correspondence and grant information concerning the commissioning of the opera, Adam |
2 files | 1974-1976 |
| 2 |
Adam Libretto by Rodney Hall |
1 file | Ca 1976 |
| 2 |
Rainforest Correspondence and procedural documents largely concerning the production of the multi-media work “Rainforest’ and the New Music Society’s protest against logging in Australian rainforests. |
6 files | 1977-1999 |
| 2 |
Rainforest Report by Graham Daly on John Sullivan’s composition “Rainforest” |
1 file | Ca. 2000 |
| 3 |
Recordings of concerts and commissions of he New Music Society St Andrew’s |
1 reel; 2 cassettes | 1 June 1975 |
| 3 |
Recordings of concerts and commissions of he New Music Society Thursday |
1 reel | 17 February 1972 |
| 3 |
Recordings of concerts and commissions of he New Music Society The Encircled Landscape by John Sullivan |
2 reels | no date |
| 3 |
Recordings of concerts and commissions of he New Music Society poets A.D. Hope, Judith Wright, David Campbell and Rosemary Dobson reading at “Rainforest” event |
1 reel | 1978 |
| 3 |
Recordings of concerts and commissions of he New Music Society “From the Diminishing Landscape” by John Sullivan, scene 1 for Harpsichord performed by Diana Blom |
1 reel | no date |
| 3 |
Recordings of concerts and commissions of he New Music Society “The Australian Bush” – Rosemary Dobson |
1 reel | 23 March 1974 |
| 3 |
Recordings of concerts and commissions of he New Music Society Six meditations on the Katha Upanishad by May Howlett |
1 reel; 1 cassette | no date |
| 3 |
Recordings of concerts and commissions of he New Music Society Graham Daly’s work on John Sullivan’s “Rainforest” |
1 reel; 1 cassette | 1999? |
| 3 |
Recordings of concerts and commissions of he New Music Society Unlabeled reel |
1 reel | no date |
| 4 |
Commissioned Music The Encircled Landscape (Music for and exhibition for nine solo instruments 1974 by John Sullivan |
1 | 1974 |
| 4 |
Commissioned Music Lamington Music for flute, alto flute, vibraphone, violin, cello, double bass by John Sullivan composed for “Rainforest” |
2 copies | 1977 |
| 4 |
Commissioned Music Petition against logging in Australian rainforests, (scroll) |
1 | 1978 |