Common Woman Chorus records, 1985-2015 and undated

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Summary

Creator:
Common Woman Chorus
Abstract:
Lesbian feminist choral group established in the Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill area (N.C.) in 1983. The Common Woman Chorus records contain material dating from 1985 to 2010. The records primarily comprise sheet music, concert programs, publicity, correspondence, and administrative records. Although the records contain mostly print material, they also include some color photographs, audiocassettes, videos, electronic word documents, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Extent:
15.0 Linear Feet
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.00250

Background

Scope and content:

The Common Woman Chorus records contain material dating from 1985 to 2015 relating to the group's musical and fund-raising activities. The records primarily comprise sheet music, concert programs, publicity, correspondence, and administrative records. Although the records contain mostly print material, a few color photographs, audiocassettes, videos, electronic word documents, t-shirts, and sweathirts are also included. Use copies of original audiovisual recordings will need to be created before items can be accessed by researchers. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.

Biographical / historical:

The Common Woman Chorus, founded in 1983 and based in the Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, performs musical selections that highlight the diversity and strength of women's lives and experiences. The Common Woman Chorus took its name from a Judy Grahn poem that reads, "A common woman is as common as a common loaf of bread...and will rise." The chorus frequently combines political activism and music by performing at benefits for progressive organizations. The mission of the Common Woman Chorus is to entertain and educate the local community while refining musical skills and developing friendships.

Acquisition information:
The Common Woman Chorus Records were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as gifts from 2004-2017.
Processing information:

Processed by Lindsay Matson, March 2009

Encoded by Lindsay Matson, March 2009

Updated with new addition by Meghan Lyon, October 2011

Updated to reflect new addition by Megan Lewis, August 2018

Accessions 2004-0075, 2004-0323, 2011-0187, 2012-0223, and 2017-0148 are described in this finding aid.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Lesbians -- United States
Choruses (Women's voices)
Feminism -- United States
Women's music
Format:
Flyers (printed matter)
Machine-readable records
Audiocassettes
Sheet music
Names:
Common Woman Chorus
Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
Places:
North Carolina -- Social life and customs -- 20th century

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

Researchers wishing to use membership materials that contain personal information must secure written permission from the president of the organization or designee before access may be granted by the libray.

Original audiovisual recordings in this collection are not immediately accessible because they require further processing before use.

Please note that all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Common Woman Chorus Records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University