Convention Photos

Convention Pictures

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A word about the nature of these pictures: one must review the history of photography, in a sense. The early Convention photos were largely staged affairs needing the expertise of a hired photographer with big bulky cameras, so any impromptu or spontaneous "snaps" were of necessity rare for our organization. Later, when hired photographers were able to lug around their equipment more easily, we will see the easier types of small group and individual Convention shots, though still posed. Later still, The Triangle provided photographs of participants, but usually any individuals appeared as in their pre-made "publicity" or "resume" photos. Spontaneity would come much later. And now, of course, with many attendees carrying their own cell-phones, these Convention photos often stay with them or may be caught on more ephemeral platforms, such as Twitter or Instagram, and then gone. Yer Old Archivist worries about capturing our photographic history, but I'm sure we'll come up with a way to save our past in order to appreciate the future!
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Our first Convention was held in 1904 at the
Metropolitan College of Music in CIncinnati, Ohio,
with our founders, Dr. Winthrop S. Sterling and
Elizabeth Mathias, in attendance. As you would
presume, much business was conducted as to
our ByLaws and Rules and practices and such!

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Here are the attendees of the 1907
Convention at the ending banquet!

Wonder what was on the menu?

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Our 1914 Convention was held at the Chicago Musical College. The featured artist was Mu Phi patron and famed composer, Carrie Jacobs-Bond.

The closing banquet shows a healthy growth in attendance, yes?

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