This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: mesabm Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.stlouis/10062/mb.ashx Message Board Post: As a young woman, my mother played French Horn in the St. Louis Women's Symphony Orchestra. The limited info I've been able to find so far explains that several women's orchestras were organized in the late 1930's (since the major symphonies were all-male), most of which disbanded shortly after WWII began (b/c the general symphonies reluctantly started to accept women members when many men were drafted for the war.) I found an online article by Shelley Yagow, "Women Orchestral Conductors in America: The Struggle for Acceptance," which has a comprehensive list of the women's orchestras in the U.S. from 1925-45 and which shows the St. Louis group (directed by Edith Gordon) was only in existence from 1937-1941, which fits right into this pre-WWII time frame. I'm unsure which exact year(s) my mom was in the Orchestra, but she would have either been still been in high school or only recently graduated -- between 1937-1941, she was only 15-19 years old. Shortly after the end o! f WWII, my mom developed a severe case of TB, from which she fortunately recovered; but she was left with very compromised lung capacity and so was no longer able to play her beloved horn. I'd love to find more info about this Orchestra (and, if possible, find recordings.) Is anyone familiar with this Orchestra or have suggestions on where I might look for more information? Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.