Vocal and Instrumental Performance Library
The Vocal and Instrumental Performance Library of Berks County was established as a community lending library and came into existence as a result of several factors:
- The donation to CSMA in 1995 of a large and varied collection of vocal ensemble music that had been performed by the Reading Madrichor Ensemble and the Chamber Choir. These groups were founded by Donald Reber who was also an original director of the CSMA when the institution was incorporated in 1959 as a non-profit educational institution.
- The awarding of a grant by the Berks County Community Foundation to provide for cataloguing this vocal collection by a music librarian, Stuart Serio; the purchase of sufficient storage shelving and protective file boxes; and the development a public relations/marketing brochure that would announce the availability of this music for loan to other performing organizations or individuals.
- The existing collection of more than a thousand compositions donated since the founding of the school in 1956. Included is the sheet-music inventory of stores that have gone out of business, music donated by teachers or students who have retired or moved from the area, and book sets donated by area schools. There is also an important collection of printed and recorded educational material. This entire collection will become part of the VIP Library as soon as sufficient funding for the purchase of additional steel shelving, protective music storage boxes, and librarian hours can be obtained. Separate catalogues for piano, organ and instrumental music, as well as reference and recorded materials, are anticipated.
To request a separate brochure which includes additional information and annual membership requirements for those wishing to study and borrow music from the library, please call 610-374-7050 or email csma1@juno.com.
