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WEEKLY VISIT TO THE MUSEUM

WEEK #4

January 27, 2021

Music, an important cultural expression

Early recordings of immigrants' orchestras Sharkey Daina, A. Vanagaitis, Columbia Records Lietuviška Veseilia, Mahanojaus Lietuviška Mainerių Orkestra, Columbia Records Šiaučiaus Polka, Mahanojaus Lietuviška Mainerių Orkestra, Columbia Records.
Early recordings of immigrants' orchestras Sharkey Daina, A. Vanagaitis, Columbia Records Lietuviška Veseilia, Mahanojaus Lietuviška Mainerių Orkestra, Columbia Records Šiaučiaus Polka, Mahanojaus Lietuviška Mainerių Orkestra, Columbia Records.
Recorder used in the Sisters of Saint Casimir Motherhouse, Chicago, c 1920s
Recorder used in the Sisters of Saint Casimir Motherhouse, Chicago, c 1920s

Early recordings of immigrants’ orchestras 

From the Irene Balzekas Memorial Map Collection

By the late 19th century, Lithuanian communities in the US had founded choirs, choruses, orchestras, and music societies as well as record companies that produced and distributed recordings of Lithuanian performers. Recordings in the US pre-date those in Lithuania itself and reflect the myriad avenues and social spheres in which the immigrants lived. The music drew on well-known Lithuanian composers and folk music but included new work created in the US. The Mahanojaus Lietuviška Mainerių Orkestra (The Mahanoy Lithuanian Miners’ Orchestra), founded in the coal mining regions of Pennsylvania, recorded under the Columbia Records label and specialized in folk music. The first Lithuanian chorus was established in 1885 in the parish of St. Casimir in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first orchestras were in Shenandoah and Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania and were made up of fourteen and twelve musicians respectively.

This virtual exhibit is supported in part by grants from the following:

City Seal of Chicago
Illinois Humanities
Illinois Arts Council Agency

The Balzekas Museum gratefully acknowledges these grantors as well as the members and private donors whose contributions support museum programs and activities.

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  • BALZEKAS MUSEUM of
    LITHUANIAN CULTURE
  • About
  • Visit
  • Genealogy
  • Exhibits & Programs
    • A Weekly Visit to the Balzekas Museum
    • Lithuanian Life and Landmarks in America
    • “No Home To Go To: The Story of Baltic Displaced Persons from 1944-52”
    • A Night at the Opera – Chicago Lithuanian Opera Performances from the Aleksandras Plenys Collection
    • Lithuanian Opera Company of Chicago- Aleksandras Plenys Collection
  • Workshops/Classes
  • Membership
  • Travel
  • Gift Shop
  • Contact

Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture

6500 South Pulaski Road
Chicago IL 60629
USA
Tel. 773.582.6500
The Balzekas Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit institution registered in the State of Illinois: EIN: 36-6140176

Thank You – Ačiū!

The Balzekas Museum is supported in part by grants from the following sponsors:

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