A draft for review. We aren’t incorporated yet and aren’t taking donations.

Peoria Sound Archive

Community

We keep up

When a Peoria musician puts out a record, wins an award or marks fifty years in a choir, we add it to the record.

A yellowed newspaper clipping about a show at Bradley Hall, its program listed act by act.
An all-women “Original Jazz Band,” 1918: Gertrude and Grace Hoagland, Olga Godel, Josephine Cowell, Lucia Hazzard, Frances Beecher and Maud Miller. The Polyscope.
  • [Date][Artist] released [title]. Recorded with us in [year].
  • [Date][Choir] marked [50] years at [church].
  • [Date][Musician] received [award].

Know of a milestone? Tell us at [email address].

Learn how it’s done

We offer these now and then.

  1. 01

    Open sessions

    Watch a session when the artist invites the public.

  2. 02

    Apprentice engineers

    Learn by working real sessions. [How to apply]

  3. 03

    Listening events

    New sessions and old Peoria records.

  4. 04

    Written histories

    The studios, churches and scenes behind the music.

[Calendar of upcoming events]

From the yearbooks

  1. 1928

    An orchestra of about forty on a bare stage, the conductor standing at center.
    Peoria Civic Orchestra. The Polyscope.

  2. 1946

    A large robed choir standing in rows on a stage.
    A Cappella Choir, Bradley Polytechnic Institute. The Polyscope.

  3. 1950

    A high school choir in robes and initialed stoles, in three rows.
    A Cappella Choir, East Peoria Community High School. The Epoch yearbook.

  4. 1957

    From high in the stands, a marching band in a curving formation on a football field.
    Bradley’s band at halftime, Homecoming. Anaga yearbook.

  5. 1965

    A chorale in white jackets and dark dresses singing under banners, a pianist at the left.
    The Bradley Chorale. Anaga yearbook.

  6. 1976

    A jazz band in tuxedos on terraced steps outdoors, a drum kit in front.
    Jazz Band, Bradley University. Anaga yearbook.

Volunteer

Join the selection panel

We look for people who know local music, archives, teaching or the communities we serve. Two-year terms, unpaid, expenses covered. [How to volunteer]

Help at events

Listening events and open sessions need hands. [Sign-up]

Recording studios in greater Peoria

For a full production, mixing or mastering: [studios, each listed with its permission]

Partners

[Partners, each listed after it agrees in writing]

Next: About the archive