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Musicians
of the ERB
Photographs by Jeannette Griffith
August 1935
In parks, on roofs and in cool public buildings throughout Greater
New York, new orchestras and bands are entertaining thousands during
the warm weather. This busy tuning up was set going in May 1933
by the concert unit of the Works Division of the Emergency Relief
Bureau, to give occupation to unemployed musicians.
In the month of May 1935 the musicians gave 397 concerts (200 of
which were broadcast), with a total attendance of 149,540. The concert
unit utilizes the special training of 545 men and women, white and
Negro, as musicians, copyists, arrangers, librarians. There are
now five symphony orchestras, a symphony band, two concert bands,
seven chamber units, a mixed chorus and three dance orchestras.
Museums, gymnasiums and churches have thrown open their doors hospitably
for rehearsals.
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