Above: A WPA poster, promoting an upcoming production of the Los Angeles Federal Music Project. The Chocolate Soldier is an operetta set in the late-1800s, Bulgaria. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Above: The description for this photograph reads: "Thirty-five thousand persons hear Los Angeles WPA Symphony and Choral Units at Easter Sunrise Service in Hollywood Bowl, 1937." Photo courtesy of the National Archives.
Above: A close-up of a section from the previous photo.
Above: Part of a newspaper story from The Pomona Progress Bulletin (Pomona, California), May 28, 1941, p. 16, noting a popular performance of the Los Angeles WPA Symphony Orchestra. Image from newspapers.com, used here for educational and non-commercial purposes.
Above: The front of a music program, for a December 8, 1938 performance of the WPA's Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. Image scanned from personal copy.
Above: The contents of the program. Image scanned from personal copy.
Above: The back of the program, highlighting other WPA shows. Image scanned from personal copy.
Above: Listen to a 1930s performance of the WPA's Symphony Orchestra of Los Angeles. At about the 7:57 mark, the host talks about the WPA nursing program and how it helped curb the spread of contagious disease. Think about how this relates to our current covid pandemic. The original broadcaster of this radio program is unknown, but it is used here for educational and non-commercial purposes.
Above: A WPA African American chorus in Los Angeles, ca. 1935-1943. The "WPA Negro Chorus" is mentioned numerous times in archived Los Angeles County newspapers, and they appear to have been enormously talented and popular. For example, on April 18, 1941, it was reported that "This singing group has been acclaimed in performances all over Southern California. It drew a packed house in a recent performance at George Pepperdine College" ("Playground Holds Community Night: WPA Chorus Will Sing At Exposition Center," The Los Angeles Southwest Wave, p. 1). And on January 24, 1942, it was noted that 1,000 people at San Pedro High School enthusiastically responded to "the excellent musical program provided by the Los Angeles WPA Negro chorus... The beautifully blended voices were expertly directed by Mr. [Gilbert] Allen..." ("Auditorium Filled to Near Capacity for Friday Club Program," News-Pilot, p. 5). Photo above courtesy of the National Archives.
Above: An advertisement in the Daily News (Los Angeles, California), September 23, 1941, p. 18, announcing the "WPA Negro Chorus," directed by Gilbert Allen. Image from newspapers.com, used here for educational and non-commercial purposes.
Above: Gilbert Allen, one of the directors of the WPA Negro Chorus in Los Angeles. From the San Pedro News-Pilot (San Pedro, California), November 15, 1941, p. 8. Image from newspapers.com, used here for educational and non-commercial purposes.
Above: You can hear the WPA Negro Chorus of Los Angeles sing on the website of WNYC 93.9 FM, here: https://www.wnyc.org/series/works-progress-administration. Image above used for educational and non-commercial purposes.
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