Lela Hamilton women's music clubs collection, 1912-1975.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Organized into the following series: I. Vendredi Musicale; II. Other Clubs.,Arranged chronologically within sub-series.

Materials housed in the Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: Spanning the years 1912 to 1975, this collection contains yearbooks, minutes, obituaries, clippings, photographs, papers, correspondence, and miscellanea from the Nashville, Tenn., women's music club, Vendredi Musicale. The collection also includes five items from two other clubs, the Women's Musicale and the Musical Alumnae Club. Lela Hamilton (1916-1999), former club officer and member of the clubs, collected the materials.

The strength of the collection is the complete compilation of Vendredi yearbooks from 1912 through 1965, plus one from 1968-1969. In addition to the listing of officers, committees, and members, the yearbooks include monthly meeting dates, hostesses, musical programs, and performers. The first inclusion of the club Constition and By-Laws is found in the 1925-1926 yearbook, and it appears periodically with the last inclusion in the 1963-1964 yearbook. Covering the years 1919-1927, the collection includes minutes of all monthly meetings.

Of interest are twelve photographs of identified Vendredi club members and a Tennessean clipping of a club photo from 1928. A 1954 clipping gives a historical overview of the club, noting many prominent members.

Regarding the Women's Musicale and the Musical Alumnae Club, information is limited to two yearbooks (1930-1932) and one yearbook (1963-1964) respectively. The Women's Musicale yearbook from 1931-1932 includes the club Constitution and By-Laws.

Cite as: Lela Hamilton Women's Music Clubs Collection, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library.

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code).

Mary Hamilton Johnson;,Gift;,2005.,Acc. 2005.033.

Lela Hamilton was born in Columbia, Tenn., in 1916. Born Lela Rebecca Fry, she was the daughter of Dr. Hugh L. Fry and Mary Wolf Fry. In Nashville, Tenn., she graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1937 and studied voice at Ward-Belmont Music Conservatory. She was a soloist at Christ Episcopal Church and Music Director at Harpeth Presbyterian Church. Hamilton was a member of Vendredi Musicale, the Women's Musicale, and the Musical Alumnae Club. Joining Vendredi in 1946, she served as Program Committee Chairman (1956-1957 and 1968-1969), Recording Secretary (1957-1960), Vice President (1960-1962), and President (1962-1964). She had six children with her husband of fifty-two years, James A. Hamilton, Jr. Lela Hamilton died in March 1999.

To promote interest in the study of music, Vendredi Musicale was founded in 1899 in Nashville, Tenn., and federated wtih the National Federation of Music Clubs in 1922. "Vendredi," French for Friday, was the day the music club met on a monthly basis from October through May. The club consisted of three levels of membership: active members who had a musical part on the program at meetings and special events; associate members who had no musical part but who were allowed to vote and hold office; and honorary members who had no part in regular club duties but who were allowed to attend open meetings and recitals. Officers were elected annually by secret ballot for the offices of President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer. The elected President appointed a Program Committee Chairm, Secret membership Committee, and Parliamentarian. Vendredi was a supporter of the Nashville Symphony and on occasion organized and presented public recitals performed by young artists. The club also took on an advocacy role as evidenced by their adoption of a resolution in 1919 to increase salaries of female city teachers, which was forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Education.

The Women's Musicale was organized in 1916 in Nashville, Tenn., and federated with the national Federation of Music Clubs in 1923. Article II of the Club Constitution states, "It's purpose is to study seriously the works of the composers: this being done by the reading of prepared papers and articles, and by having a musical program at each meeting." Meetings were held bi-weekly on Wednesday from October through May.

Lacking much information on the Musical Alumnae Club, the 1963-1964 yearbook shows similarities to the aforementioned clubs with regard to monthly meetings and musical programs.

In English.

Process;,2007;,Ben Melton.

No further accruals are expected.