INVENTORY OF THE SHAMBREY CHORALE
Finding aid prepared by Christeta Nini
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives & Special Collections
University Library, Room 5039
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3895
URL: http://www.csudh.edu/archives/csudh/index.html
©2010
Descriptive Summary
Title: Shambrey Chorale
Dates: 1890-2005
Collection Number: Consult repository
Creator:
Shambrey, Celestine
Extent:
7 boxes
[3 linear feet]
Repository: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Archives and Special Collections
Archives & Special Collection
University Library, Room 5039
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3013
URL: http://www.csudh.edu/archives/csudh/index.html
Abstract:
This collection includes sheet music, performance notes, performance programs, chorale rosters, photos, a book, journal articles,
correspondence documents, and multimedia related to the Shambrey Chorale. Choral works include early traditional sacred church
music and hymns from 16th century styles to contemporary styles, compositions from canonical European composers, traditional
negro spirituals, gospel, jazz, musical theater, U.S Patriotic, American Folk Songs, Christmas themes, and Ethnomusicological
styles.
Language: Collection material is in English
Administration Information
Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Title of item], SHAMBREY CHORALE, Courtesy of the Department of Archives and Special Collections. University Library. California
State University, Dominguez Hills
Acquisition Information
The records in this collection were donated to the Sacred Music Archive and CSUDH, Archives and Special Collections.
Processing Information
Processed and encoded from September 2010 through October 2010 by Christeta Nini.
Shambrey Chorale History
The Shambrey Chorale was conceived and implemented in Summer of 1972 with their first
formal rehearsal in October 1972. Their first public performance was February 25, 1973 at
the Temple Israel of Hollywood, California. After rave responses to their debut performance
at Temple Israel, choral group members met on March 17th to formally organize. The Chorale
was named after its Founder-Director, Celestine (Celeste) Shambrey. Vennie F. Johnson
accepted her nominated role as the chorale's organ accompanist. Basso-baritone soloist,
Rudy Williams, was selected as first president. Their regular rehearsal base was Plymouth
Congregational Church (on 6th Avenue and West 54th Street), with major credits to Vennie F.
Johnson, a member of Plymouth Church, for officiating the process.
As a non-profit organization, chorale members and leaders were non-paid, voluntary positions.
Chorale funding came from chorale participant regular contributions. Through time, special
contributions in the form of finances or advising came from major sponsors such as Milton F.
Williams, Dr. Milton H. Davis, and C. Dave Hardgrave. First president, Rudy Williams, provided
awards and citations to chorale participants who demonstrated exceptional service or sacrifice for the fulfillment of the
chorale's goals and purposes.
The first officers were Rudy Williams, President; Barbara Moore, Vice President; Peggy Speese,
Corresponding Secretary; Zulah Lee, Treasurer; Earldon Scales, Assistant Treasurer; Vennie
Johnson, Librarian; Verlena Davenport, Assistant Librarian; Vermya Phillips, Chaplain; Don
Villarel, Publicity; Viola Avery, Social Chairman; and Carrier Speed, Assistant Social Chairman.
Their major purposes are: 1) to provide varied styles of well prepared music for area
audiences -- and especially for those who might not otherwise enjoy such privileges, 2) to
demonstrate the possibilities and creative advantages of intergroup sharings, regardless of
religious, educational, social or ethnic backgrounds, 3) to present constant challenges to
participants (leadership included) for persistent application and improvement of their natural
talents, and 4) to offer rescue for emergencies confronted by serious, gifted but disadvantaged
students. As part of fulfilling their major purpose, ca. 1973-1974, ten students in a variety
of fields such as medicine, music, and police and social service have been given financial
provisions for registration, books, graduation fees, and more.
Their early performance history: 1) Handel's oratorio, JUDAS MACCABAEUS, on February 25, 1973
at Temple Israel of Hollywood, Calif.; 2) Hall Johnson music on May 20, 1973 at Oneonta
Congregational Church, South Pasadena, Calif.; 3) R. Nathaniel Dett's oratorio, THE ORDERING OF
MOSES on November 4, 1973 at Zion Hill Baptist Church, 78th and 10th Avenue, near Inglewood,
Calif.; 4) Traditional and Contemporary music on February 24, 1974 at Church of Chimes
(Congregational) United Church of Christ, Van Nuys, Calif.; 5) Beethoven's oratorio,
MOUNT OF OLIVES, on April 7, 1974 (Palm Sunday) at First United Methodist Church, Inglewood,
Calif.; and 6) Traditional and Contemporary music on May 26, 1974 at Faith Presbyterian Church,
Century Boulevard near Western (Calif.).
Scope and Content
The Shambrey Chorale Collection includes sheet music, performance notes, performance programs,
chorale rosters, photos, a book, journal articles, correspondence documents, and multimedia
related to the Shambrey Chorale. Choral works include early traditional sacred church music
and hymns from 16th century styles to contemporary styles, compositions from canonical
European composers, traditional negro spirituals, gospel, jazz, musical theater, U.S
Patriotic, American Folk Songs, Christmas themes, and Ethnomusicological styles with print
dates ca.1890-1995. Some sheet music also include the conductor's handwritten markups in
regards to performance cues. Some sheet music include non-choral works. The performance
programs include performances by the Shambrey Chorale and concerts by other choirs. The
photos are one-of-a kind, two of which photograph a performance poster of the Shambrey Chorale
and their March 23, 1975 performance. The single book in this collection is a poetry book by
Langston Hughes. The journal articles are multiple copies of a single article describing the
lack of black Americans and involvement in philharmonic or symphony orchestras. The
correspondence documents are from John Mayes, Jr., Shambrey Chorale president during 1991.
Other documents pertain to Thelma Hicks, active chorale member; Dr. Jester Hairston, composer
of many choral works in their collection; and papers about vocal exercises, orchestra seating,
jazz mentorship programs, chorale rosters, and chorale history. Multimedia consists of an
audiocassette tape and 2 DVDs. The collection has been organized into two series.
Arrangement
Arranged in 2 series:
- Series I. Papers, photos, and multimedia (1972-2005)
- Series II. Sheet music (1890-1995)
Indexing Terms
Subjects
African American Musicians.
African American Singers.
Choral works.
Chorales.
Sacred Music
Sheet music
Personal Names
Shambrey, Celestine.
Corporate Names
Shambrey Chorale.
Container List
Series 1.
Papers, Photos, Multimedia
1972-2005
Physical Description: 0.5 linear feet [1 box]
Scope and Content Note
Papers, photos, and multimedia pertaining to the Shambrey Chorale.
Box 1, Folder 1
Shambrey Chorale Rosters, Description, and Notebook
2005
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes letter from John E. Mayes Jr. to Hansonia Caldwell providing two pages of a Shambrey Chorale Roster, chorale rosters
from different time periods, and multiple copies of Shambrey Chorale description. 1 particular chorale roster is contained
in a music manuscript book with handwritten notes of names and corresponding telephone numbers. All other chorale rosters
are typed. Also includes notebook containing writings about chorale's activities and logistics.
Box 1, Folder 2
John Mayes, News Article, Other Papers
1991-2000
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes letter from John E. Mayes Jr. to Shambrey Chorale members, letter from John E. Mayes Jr. seeking financial support
from "friends" of Shambrey Chorale, news articles relevant to the African-American community, sheet of vocal exercises, and
document of choir seating for 100 people.
Box 1, Folder 3
Performance Programs and News Release
1976-1996
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes various programs of Shambrey Chorale performances. Performance programs include Handel's JUDAS MACCABAEUS on Sunday,
October 23, 1977 at Temple Israel; Jester Hairston's music directed by Jester Hairston on Sunday, October 28, 1979 at First
Baptist Church in Los Angeles; Beethoven's CHRIST ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES on April 5, 1992 at Community Presbyterian Church;
Beethoven's CHRIST ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES on Palm Sunday, April 12, 1987 at First A.M.E. Church; various sacred music works
on Sunday, May 17, 1987 at Hamilton United Methodist Church; and various sacred music works on Sunday, October 11, 1987 at
Westminster Presbyterian Church. (All performances were in Los Angeles, Calif.) Also included are script inserts for CHRIST
ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES and a news release of Shambrey Chorale's October 1996 performance of Handel's JUDAS MACCABAEUS.
Box 1, Folder 4
Anniversary Programs
1975-1997
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes program books from Shambrey Chorale's anniversary performances. Anniversaries include Third Anniversary Concert
on Sunday, October 26, 1975, an undated anniversary, and 25th Anniversary on Saturday, October 18, 1997. Also includes 3 photographs:
2 photos of Shambrey Chorale at their 2nd Anniversary performance (one of which contains Jester Hairston). The third photo
contains 3 individuals believed to be attending an Anniversary program. Also
Box 1, Folder 5
Other Concert Programs
1983-2008
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes concert programs featuring other choirs or performers.
Box 1, Folder 6
Community Documents
1997
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes document copy from the City of Los Angeles certifying Shambrey Chorale's non-profit status, a pamphlet about a jazz
mentorship program, an instruction sheet on how to write one's life story or family history with Shambrey's write-up about
her father and original document about his occupation.
Box 1, Folder 7
Thelma Hicks and Dr. Jester Hairston
1972-1987
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes Shambrey Chorale member, Thelma Hick's other performance programs, and documents about Dr. Jester Hairston, associate
member of the Shambrey Chorale.
Box 1, Folder 8
Tape, DVDs, Book
2004-2005
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Includes audiocassette tape of JUDAS MACCABAEUS, DVDs of Shambrey Chorale Roundtable and the Shambrey Chorale, and a poetry
book entitled, "Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes with preface by Senator John Kerry.
Series 2.
Sheet Music
1890-1995
Physical Description: 2.5 linear feet [6 boxes]
Scope and Content Note
A reflection of Shambrey's music library, includes choral and non-choral works of European and European-style sacred church
music and hymns from 16th through 20th centuries; traditional negro spirituals; gospel; jazz; musical theater; U.S Patriotic;
American Folk Songs; Christmas; and Ethnomusicological styles. Also includes Shambrey Chorale conductor's handwritten performance
cue markups and incomplete sheet music. Inclusive dates reflect printing dates as opposed to original composition dates.
Subseries 1.
European Sacred Music
ca. 1890-1995
Physical Description: 3 boxes
Scope and Content Note
Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary sub-genres within the larger European Art tradition.
Box 2, Folder 1
Bach Compositions
ca. 1899-1958
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Works by German composer, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) with Shambrey Chorale conductor notes inserted in various pages.
Box 2, Folder 2
Bach Compositions
ca. 1921-1953
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Unbound choral works.
Box 2, Folder 3
Handel Compositions
ca. 1940-1968
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Complete choral work of oratorio, THE MESSIAH, by German-British composer, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), and sheet sets
for specific titles in the oratorio. Also includes incomplete sheet set of "Hallelujah Chorus" from THE MESSIAH as well as
2 works not from the oratorio.
Box 2, Folder 4
Handel JUDAS MACCABAEUS
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
2 copies of complete choral oratorio, JUDAS MACCABAEUS, by G.F. Handel. 1 copy includes Shambrey Chorale conductor markups
and notes.
Box 2, Folder 5
Handel's JUDAS MACCABAEUS music and Shambrey conductor notes
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Copy of complete choral oratorio, JUDAS MACCABAEUS, by G.F. Handel with Shambrey Chorale conductor markups and notes. Also
includes papers documenting orchestral arrangements.
Box 2, Folder 6
Beethoven's THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Oratorio, THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) containing Shambrey Chorale conductor markups, Shambrey
Chorale's performance program of oratorio that predominantly describes the composer and his oratorial work. Also includes
slip sheets of Shambrey Chorale conductor cues.
Box 2, Folder 7
Beethoven compositions
ca. 1929-1938
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Titles: 1) CHORALE FINALE TO THE NINTH SYMPHONY and 2) UNTO THEE I LIFT MINE EYES.
Box 2, Folder 8
Dett's THE ORDERING OF MOSES
ca. 1965
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Choral work of THE ORDERING OF MOSES by U.S. and Canadian composer, Robert Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943). Sheet music contains
Shambrey Chorale conductor markups and cues.
Box 3, Folder 1
16th-17th Century European Compositions
ca. 1921-1962
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 3, Folder 2
18th Century European Compositions
ca. 1926-1981
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 3, Folder 3
19th Century European Compositions
ca. 1928-1962
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Composers last names beginning with A through M.
Box 3, Folder 4
19th Century European Compositions
ca. 1882-1954
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Composer last names beginning with N through Z.
Box 3, Folder 5
Sacred Music: Sheet Music
ca. 1900-1939
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Contemporary European and non-European compositions.
Box 3, Folder 6
Sacred Music: Sheet Music
ca. 1940-1949
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Contemporary European and non-European compositions.
Box 3, Folder 7
Sacred Music: Sheet Music
ca. 1950-1989
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Contemporary European and non-European compositions.
Box 3, Folder 8
Sacred Music: Sheet Music
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Contemporary compositions with unknown publishing, copyright, or printing dates.
Box 4, Folder 1
Sacred Music: Songbooks
ca. 1910-1981
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Choral books containing multiple song titles.
Subseries 2.
African-American Sacred Music
ca. 1917-1995
Physical Description: 1 box
Scope and Content Note
Negro Spiritual and Contemporary Gospel styles.
Box 5, Folder 1
Negro Spiritual Sheet Music
ca. 1917-1995
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 5, Folder 2
Gospel Music Sheet Music
ca. 1934-1986
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Subseries 3.
Secular Choral Music
ca. 1895-1994
Physical Description: 1 box
Box 6, Folder 1
Traditional Choral Sheet Music
1898-1971
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Choral works with lyrical context reflecting secular nature and musically similar to European-style sacred music.
Box 6, Folder 2
Country Sheet Music
1959
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 6, Folder 3
U.S. Patriotic Sheet Music
1940-1951
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 6, Folder 4
Opera Sheet Music
ca. 1895
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 6, Folder 5
Musical Theater Sheet Music
1927-1959
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 6, Folder 6
Musical Theater Sheet Music
1963-1971
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 6, Folder 7
Film Music Sheet Music
1951-1977
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 6, Folder 8
Jazz Sheet Music
1931-1970
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 6, Folder 9
American Folk Songs Sheet Music
1939-1966
Box 6, Folder 10
World Music Sheet Music
ca. 1959-1994
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Choral and non-choral works of African Zulu, Brazil, Jamaica, Spanish, West Indian, and Calpyso styles and languages.
Box 6, Folder 11
French Composition
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Scope and Content Note
Music manuscript of multiple compositions in French language for piano and vocal arrangement. Musical style seems to reflect
traditional European Avant-Garde style; however, certain markings such as "Tempo di Blues" reflects a modern fusion.
Subseries 4.
Sacred and Secular Choral Music
ca. 1907-1981
Physical Description: 1 box
Scope and Content Note
Christmas sheet music, songbooks, and incomplete scores found in both sacred and secular genres.
Box 7, Folder 1
Christmas Sheet Music
1907-1971
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 7, Folder 2
Multi-genre Songobok
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 Folder
Box 7, Folder 3
Incomplete Sheet Music
n.d.
Physical Description: 1 Folder
