https://content.mymcpl.org/files/original/571b432b943bd242f065d8b6078a16fb.pdf

extracted text: Declarations of Independence Collection

Collection Summary
Title
Declarations of Independence Collection
Date
1986-2011
Extent
2 boxes (1 archival box, 1 oversize archival box)

Name and Location of Repository
Midwest Genealogy Center, Independence (Mo.)
Reference code: MGC 1073-DOI
Processed by: Kayla Hopkins, 2016; finding aid created by Kayla Hopkins, 2016

Name of Creator
The Declarations of Independence
Biographical History
The Declarations of Independence was formed by chorus manager, Bill Coil in 1986. Todd Wiley was the
first musical director and began to recruit members ranging from the age of fifteen to seventy-two years
old. This chorus was sponsored by the Independence Citizens Civic and Cultural Committee to promote
culture within the city of Independence. On June 20, 1987 the Declarations had their first concert, “An
American Pop – Music Review”. By June of 1989, the group totaled sixty members. The Declarations
performed a number of free performances during the year, including Holiday performances, the
Strawberry Festival, and the Black History Celebration.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of administrative papers, member rosters, newspaper clippings, photographs,
photograph negatives, program flyers, concert advertisements, seven VHS tapes, and sixteen cassettes.
Two oversize items are also included in this collection, 1 leather bound proclamation and 1 framed
certificate of appreciation. The items range from 1986 to 2011 and covers information about the choir,
personal information about specific members, and concert materials.

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Declarations of Independence Collection

Collection Inventory
System of Arrangement
These records are arranged in 5 series.
Box 1
Series 1, Administrative
Folder 1: Bylaws, Meeting Minutes, Financial Summaries, Tax Exemption Letter, and
Donation Request Letter
Folder 2: Choir Requirements:
Dues listed for membership
Orientation for new members
Business Cards
Flyer and Tri-Fold
Newsletters
Audition Forms
Series 2, Scrapbooks
Folder 1: 1986
Folder 2: 1987
Folder 3: 1988
Folder 4: 1989
Folder 5: 1990
Folder 6: 1991
Folder 7: 1992
Folder 8: 1993
Folder 9: 1994
Folder 10: 1995
Folder 11: 1996
Folder 12: 1997
Folder 13: 1998
Folder 14: 1999
Folder 15: 2000
Folder 16: 2001
Folder 17: 2002
Folder 18: 2003
Folder 19: 2004
Folder 20: 2005
Folder 21: 2006
Folder 22: 2007
Folder 23: 2008
Folder 24: 2009
Folder 25: 2010
Folder 26: 2011
Folder 27: Undated Miscellaneous Photographs with negatives
Series 3, VHS
Folder 1: June 1987
Folder 2: June 20, 1987
Folder 3: Vicki Reuter’s Tape???

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Declarations of Independence Collection
Folder 4: 1988
Folder 5: 12-19-1994
Folder 6: Holiday Concert in Memory of Martha Lee Cain Tranby 12-18-2004
Folder 7: A Good Old Vaudeville Show
Series 4, Cassettes
Folder 1: February 23, 1991- Lerner and Loewe Performance
April 28, 1991 – A Vandevills Show / May 5, 1991 - Performance
Folder 2: July 4, 1991 –Truman Library Performance #2 /July 4, 1991- Truman Library
Performance #3 October 4, 1991- A Night in close Harmony Performance/October
4, 1991- Part #2
Folder 3: December 20, 1991 – Declarations Sing-a-Long/ December 7, 1991-Truman Library
May 1, 1992-The Declarations of Independence “America Sings”
Folder 4: June 28, 1992- We the People 1993- Christmas Concert July 4, 1994- Truman
Library
Folder 5: Contemporary Sacred Choral Series: Ride On!
Hal Leonard Pop Choral Series: A Chorus Line: The Movie
Folder 6: The Music of Mark Brymer: Forever and Every Country
The Music of Mark Brymer: Red Hot Country
The Music of Mark Brymer: Surfin’ U.S.A
Folder 7: The Music of Mark Brymer: Unchained Melody
The Music of Mac Huff: A Rock ‘N’ Roll Christmas
Box 2
Series 5, Oversized Items
Leather Bound Proclamation Declaring Declarations of Independence
Framed Certificate of Appreciation

Rights and Access
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use by appointment.
Physical Access
Most records within this collection are housed within file folders in an archival box. Oversize items are
stored next to collection.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the Midwest Genealogy Center.
Languages and Scripts of the Material
Materials in the collection are entirely in English.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated to the Midwest Genealogy Center.
Accruals
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Declarations of Independence Collection
No further accruals are expected for this collection.
Existence and Location of Originals
Originals owned by the Midwest Genealogy Center.
Notes
The following sources were consulted during the preparation of the biographical history:
 Burke, Charles. Declarations of Independence to celebrate American music, The Examiner. June
4th, 1988. Accessed June 6th, 2016.
http://access.newspaperarchive.com/us/missouri/independence/independenceexaminer/1988/06-04/page-12?tag=the+declarations+of+independence&rtserp=tags/thedeclarations-of-independence?psb=relavance
 Information found within collection

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Part of Finding Aid for the Declarations of Independence Collection