Allentown Music Club

Welcome to the Allentown Music Club, a non-profit organization that supports quality music education.

The club started in 1906 in Estelle Wright's living room as an outlet for performers, music study and a haven for music lovers.
 
It took until 1915 to become affiliated with the Pennsylvania Federation of Music Clubs. This gave us affiliation with the largest philanthropic musical organization in the world founded in 1898 called as you might guess, the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC). The NFMC is chartered by the Congress of the United States and is the only musical organization member of the United Nations. NFMC provides opportunities for musical study, performance and appreciation to more than 200,000 senior, student and junior members in 6,500 music-related clubs and organizations nationwide. Members are professional and amateur musicians, vocalists, composers, dancers, performing artists, arts and music educators, music students, generous music patrons and benefactors, and music lovers of all ages.
 
During the 1930's, membership increased and the Woman's Club, now known as the Barrister's Club, became our home. Our members did regular local radio broadcasts during the 1930's when the club's chorus formed. In the 1950's, a Junior Music Club (ages 13-18), now known as the Young Musicians Club (ages 6-18), began performing for the sponsoring Senior Club and also at local churches and nursing homes. 1951 marked the year men finally were admitted to the club as members and artist performers. From 2010 to 2015, we called Hope UCC home. During 2015 to 2017, we called Jordan UCC our new home. Beginning 2017 we return to Hope UCC, but on a new day.
 
 
We now meet monthly on Saturday afternoons from October to May (no January or February) starting at 2:00 P.M. (new time and place) at the Hope United Church of Christ located on 1031 Flexer Avenue, Allentown, PA 18104. 
 
Our monthly recital programs feature our Artist Members along with select member(s) of our Young Musicians Club. At the end of the season we showcase our scholarship winners.
 
Our projects include the following scholarships:
  • Outstanding String Performer from a Lehigh or Northampton County School - $400;
  • Summer Music Camp for a qualified member of the Young Musicians Club - $400;
  • Dr. Albert Hofammann Piano Scholarship to a serious piano student in grades 9 through 12 who is a resident of Lehigh or Northampton counties - $1,000; and
  • Past Presidents Assembly Scholarship to a qualifying Senior in Lehigh or Northampton County who continues their education in Musical Performance - $1,000.
The Martha Marcks Mack for Young Vocal Artists lost sponsorship and will no be longer available.

We help host the PFMC Junior Festival for the Philadelphia Region (Central). It will be held this year at Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA on March 5, 2016.

Finally, we will be hosting the 89th Annual Philadelphia District Conference on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit located at 3461 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Emmaus, PA 18049. All are welcome to hear the musical program to be presented by select members of the Young Musicians of the Allentown Music Club scheduled to start immediately after the luncheon at about 1 p.m.
 
Come join us as either a Member or Artist Member. Persons interested in auditioning for Artist Membership need to contact Auditions Chairperson, Dan at 610-435-4659. Members need only possess a desire to be a music lover who wants to join our cause to support quality music education.
 
Mike Grather
2017-2018 President
email me at: mike.grather@gmail.com
 

maintained by Robert G. Premecz - last updated 08/28/2017