B Sharp Music Club (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Dates
- Existence: 1917-
Historical Note
The B Sharp Music Club was founded in 1917 by Camille Nickerson, a pianist and internationally recognized authority on Creole music. The objective of the group was the enrichment of their own appreciation of music through association and study together via monthly meetings. Under the first three presidents of the club - Camille Nickerson, Albert Edwards, and Lucille Hutton - the main focus was in club work. Under later presidents (Eloise A. Thornhill, Dr. Charles H. D. Bowers, Mayme Osby Brown, Camille P. McCann, Lillian Dunn Perry, Ernest Black-Tillman, Robert N. Perry, and Florence E. Borders), more efforts were made to have the club take its place as an influential organization in the cultural life of the city.
In 1921, the first artists' recital was given and the group became a working branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. The following year, the club began the "Pleasant Hour" programs which were free public events and the Junior B Sharp Music Club was formed as a group for young musicians. In 1951, the club began issuing scholarships to student musicians at local universities and to well-known musicians for public performance. In 1954, the club hosted the national convention for the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.
The Club remained active throughout the 20th century.
Citation:
Author: P. CunninghamAbstract:
Records of the B Sharp Music Club, New Orleans, LA.