Friday Morning Music Club
Encyclopedia
The Friday Morning Music Club originated in Washington, D.C.
in the mid-1880s as an informal club for the study of music. Members of the club were required to audition to become a part of the club, and had to take part in musical performances. Early activities included reading from musical periodicals, the creation of a musical library, the creation of a lecture series, and the hosting of other musical groups for their DC performances.
Over the years, the club grew in size, and requirements for membership became more rigorous. In 1894, the club was incorporated in the District of Columbia, and the headquarters moved from the various members’ homes to the music room of the Washington Club, located at 1710 I Street. As the club has grown over the years, it has been located in various places, including the Assembly room of the Cosmos Club
and the Raleigh Hotel. Today, its headquarters and archives are located at the Historical Society
of Washington, D.C., 801 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C., and its meetings and programs are held at Charles Sumner School
, 1201 17th St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
The period from 1943-1949 was extremely active, and included the formation of groups of different categories, including pianists, singers, organists, composers and others who met on a regular basis to study and to listen to their own performances. Additionally, during this period, Miss Gretchen Hood bequeathed money in her will to assist promising young musicians in their concert careers. This was the beginning of The Friday Morning Music Club Foundation, which was incorporated March 22, 1948, to help aspiring musical students.
In 1970, Foundation Director Willa Mae Koehn moved to change the name of the National Auditions to the Washington International Competition (WIC), and the first competition under this name was held for singers on April 23 and 24, 1971. Over the years, notable winners have included: Jessye Norman
, Gwendolyn Bradley
, Jane Coop, (who is also a judge of the competition), Sofya Gulyak
, and Jie Chen.
The Foundation continues to hold annual auditions alternating between pianists, singers, string players and composers, and grants awards. It draws its applicants from all over the world. The next Washington International Competition will be held for at the Kennedy Center on May 27–28, 2011 for pianists.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in the mid-1880s as an informal club for the study of music. Members of the club were required to audition to become a part of the club, and had to take part in musical performances. Early activities included reading from musical periodicals, the creation of a musical library, the creation of a lecture series, and the hosting of other musical groups for their DC performances.
Over the years, the club grew in size, and requirements for membership became more rigorous. In 1894, the club was incorporated in the District of Columbia, and the headquarters moved from the various members’ homes to the music room of the Washington Club, located at 1710 I Street. As the club has grown over the years, it has been located in various places, including the Assembly room of the Cosmos Club
Cosmos Club
The Cosmos Club is a private social club in Washington, D.C., founded by John Wesley Powell in 1878. In addition to Powell, original members included Clarence Edward Dutton, Henry Smith Pritchett, William Harkness, and John Shaw Billings. Among its stated goals is "The advancement of its members in...
and the Raleigh Hotel. Today, its headquarters and archives are located at the Historical Society
Historical society
A historical society is an organization that collects, researches, interprets and preserves information or items of historical interest. Generally, a historical society focuses on a specific geographical area, such as a county or town or subject, such as aviation or rail. Many historical...
of Washington, D.C., 801 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C., and its meetings and programs are held at Charles Sumner School
Charles Sumner School
The Charles Sumner School, established in 1872, was one of the earliest schools for African Americans in Washington, D.C. Named for the prominent abolitionist and United States Senator Charles Sumner, the school became the first teachers college for black citizens in the city and the headquarters...
, 1201 17th St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
The period from 1943-1949 was extremely active, and included the formation of groups of different categories, including pianists, singers, organists, composers and others who met on a regular basis to study and to listen to their own performances. Additionally, during this period, Miss Gretchen Hood bequeathed money in her will to assist promising young musicians in their concert careers. This was the beginning of The Friday Morning Music Club Foundation, which was incorporated March 22, 1948, to help aspiring musical students.
In 1970, Foundation Director Willa Mae Koehn moved to change the name of the National Auditions to the Washington International Competition (WIC), and the first competition under this name was held for singers on April 23 and 24, 1971. Over the years, notable winners have included: Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman is an American opera singer. Norman is a well-known contemporary opera singer and recitalist, and is one of the highest paid performers in classical music...
, Gwendolyn Bradley
Gwendolyn Bradley
Gwendolyn Bradley is an American soprano who performed on many opera and concert stages.Mrs. Bradley grew up in Bishopville, South Carolina and was trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem and the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. Her debut was as Nannetta in...
, Jane Coop, (who is also a judge of the competition), Sofya Gulyak
Sofya Gulyak
Sofya Gulyak is a Russian pianist. In 2006 she won the 1st Prize in the Sigismund Thalberg International Piano Competition. In 2007 she won the William Kapell Competition and shared the Concorso F. Busoni 2nd prize with Dinara Nadzhafova...
, and Jie Chen.
The Foundation continues to hold annual auditions alternating between pianists, singers, string players and composers, and grants awards. It draws its applicants from all over the world. The next Washington International Competition will be held for at the Kennedy Center on May 27–28, 2011 for pianists.