Date Range

1940-1950

Description Level

Fonds

Creator

Anderson family

Physical Description

78 RPM records; 1 CD; 10 photographs; 10 cm of sheet music publications

History Biographical

The Anderson Sisters Orchestra was one of the most popular groups in Southern Alberta in the 1940s. They played in many towns including summers in Waterton Park and once had their own hall known as The Rainbow Hall in North Lethbridge. The sisters were the daughters of Martin and Ida (Johnson) Anderson, originally of Monitor, Alberta. As very young girls, the sisters (Alice, Florence, Marie and Ruth) became accomplished musicians and eventually formed the orchestra, under the watchful eye of their parents. The family moved to Lethbridge and the group quickly became a popular draw for dances in Alberta and neighboring provinces, playing to packed houses throughout their career. In addition to a full year-round touring schedule, they had a weekly radio show on CJOC (broadcast live “from high atop the Marquis Hotel”) and performed during the summer months at dance pavilions across the province. Their five-year engagement at Waterton Lakes Dance Pavilion made them the longest running attraction at that popular venue. During the 1940s they also entertained at World War Two training bases and appeared with dignitaries at events to rally support for the war efforts, including the sale of war bonds.

Scope and Content

20161112.001 Record album, comprising seven 78 RPM two sided records by the Anderson Sisters Orchestra: All Alone; Bugle Call Rag; Don’t Get Around Much Anymore; Dream of Love; Forgotten; Honeysuckle Rose; I Surrender Dear; If I Loved You; Ja-Da; Life in the Finlands; My Happiness; Naughty Waltz; New Orleans; Tea For Two; The End of a Perfect Day; War Tunes taken at Macleod at an Armistice Dance. 20161112.002 Compact Disc comprising 34 musical numbers: All Alone; Angry; Bluin’ the Blues; Breezing Along with the Breeze; Bugle Call Rag; Clarinet Marmalade; Cuban Pete; Don’t Get Around Much Anymore; Down on the Farm; Dream of Love; Forgotten; Honeysuckle Rose; How Deep is the Ocean; I Never Knew; I Surrender Dear; If I Loved You; Interview with Florence Anderson; It’s a Long Way to Tipperary; Ja-Da; Life in the Finlands; Melody of Love; My Happiness; Naughty Waltz; New Orleans; Oh How I Miss You Tonight; Seems Like Old Times; Siboney; Sleep; Talk of the Town; Tea For Two; Tell Me a Story; The End of a Perfect Day; The Sheik; The Very Thought of You; War Tunes taken at Macleod at an Armistice Dance; World is Waiting for the Sunrise. 20161112.003 Photographs of Anderson Sisters Orchestra, 1940s, and portrait of Martin and Ida (Johnson) Anderson, parents, ca. 1915-17, 10 photographs. 20161112.004 Sheet music. 20161112.005 Sheet music. 20161112.006 Sheet music. 20161112.007 Sheet music. 20161112.008 Sheet music. 20161112.009 Sheet music. 20161112.010 Sheet music. 20161112.011 Sheet music. 20161112.012 Child’s Own Books of Great Musicians: Mendelssohn; Verdi; Chopin; Tchaikovsky, four books.

Accession No.

20161112

Collection

Archive

Less detail