The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Preliminary Description for the Hyde Park Historical Society, Joyce Turner Hilkevitch Papers 1938-2020
© 2023 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Hyde Park Historical Society. Joyce Turner Hilkevitch. Papers |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1938-2020 |
| Accession Number: | 2021-070 |
| Accession Number: | 2021-154 |
| Size: | 21 linear feet (15 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | Joyce Turner Hilkevitch (1921-2019) founder of Mostly Music, an organization that supported young performers and composers of chamber music in Chicago. Part of the collections of the Hyde Park Historical Society. |
This collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Hyde Park Historical Society. Joyce Turner Hilkevitch. Papers, Box #, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Joyce Turner Hilkevitch was born Joyce Brown, October 19, 1921, in New York City. Although her family was comfortably off, witnessing the harshness of the Depression would be a formative influence in her life. After graduating from Hunter College in 1942, she moved to San Francisco. where she worked as a journalist.
She married Jonathan Turner in 1943, and while waiting for him to complete his army service, volunteered in the local USO. Pioneering black journalist Vernon Jarret recalled that Joyce was one of the few white hostesses willing to dance with Black servicemen, and she reprimanded a white GI who objected to her doing so.
Both Joyce and Jonathan Turner were interested in art, and after the war. they made frequent trips to Mexico, where they purchased works by emerging and contemporary Mexican artists such as Jose Clemente Orozco and David Siqueiros. Years later, Joyce would donate much of the collection of paintings and drawings to the Art Institute of Chicago, which held a special exhibition of the donated work.
After the war, the Turners moved to Chicago. In 1954, they bought a home in Kenwood where they raised their four children, Peter, David, Carl, and Susan. While electrical engineer Jonathan worked for his family’s picture frame company (Turner Manufacturing), Joyce earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1964 from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. She was a social worker at Jane Addams Hull House, served as Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on the Statue of Women, and was later director of the Illinois Commission on Smoking and Health. Her volunteer activities included the Kenwood Open House Committee, the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, The University of Chicago Service League, the PTA, and the Hyde Park Art Center. Jonathan Turner died in 1971 and Joyce later married Dr. Aaron Hilkevitch. Between them they had a blended family of seven children.
In 1973, Joyce Turner Hilkevitch founded Mostly Music, a nonprofit arts organization. Its objective from the beginning was two-fold - to provide a platform for young, emerging musicians and to showcase chamber music in private homes. The performances offered opportunities for talented young musicians to hone their performance skills in small and supportive venues. The initial concerts were hosted in homes in the Hyde Park-Kenwood neighborhood. In a few years, Mostly Music had chamber music series in Near North and North Shore homes, as well as noontime concerts downtown. Although the performance spaces were small, they brought chamber music to a wider audience, as it is an intimate form of music that was being performed in the kinds of spaces for which it was composed.
In 1974, Mostly Music was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. The original mission statement called for 1. Dedication to quality professional performance with young artists; 2 Commitment to initiating multi-cultural music arts events; 3. development of new audiences for cultural events in community settings. In addition to chamber music performances in Hyde Park and Kenwood homes, Mostly Music in the 1970’s featured lunchtime concerts for seniors and students at the First Chicago Center and The Vermeer Quarter Concerts at the National College of Education.
Over the years, Mostly Music grew to include activities serving additional communities and venues throughout Chicago. These included residencies for chamber ensembles such as The International String Quartet in a two-year program funded through Chamber Music of America, 1991-1993; Trio Atlantique in a two-year residency funded by Lorranie Pritzker; and the Ad Hoc String quartet. Associations, sponsorships and partnerships were formed with Northeastern Illinois University School of Music and Dance starting in 1980, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition from 1980; and with Northern Illinois University via co-sponsorship of the Calumet High School project.
Mostly Music also partnered with Sarah Zelzer to organize Chicago debut performances at Orchestra Hall and other major concert spaces and provided Meet the Composer grants to support performances of little-known works of award-winning minority composers.” Learn to Listen, Learn to Plan” provided lecture demonstration concerts and field trips for school students at DuSable Museum, South Shore Cultural Center, Field Museum, KAM Isaiah Israel, St Thomas the Apostle Church Calumet High School and Kenwood High School.
When public school budget cuts forced schools to abandon arts education, Hilkevitch developed an outreach program for public school students. Working with retired schoolteacher Shirley Rosenthal, she introduced a series of classical music and education programs that reached as many as 10,000 public school children annually. Hilkevitch forged many cultural and artistic partnerships. With Professor Harold Berlinger, long-time chair of the Humanities Department at Northeastern Illinois University (and Mostly Music Artistic Director), Joyce was instrumental in forming the Jewel Box, series of concerts at NEIU. In collaboration with pianist Menahem Pressler of the Beaux Arts Trio and professor at Indiana University School of Music, the current award winners of the annual Fischoff Competition, the largest chamber music competition in the United States, performed every year at Mostly Music concerts. For these young chamber groups, it was quite often their first professional appearance.
Another annual concert hosted by Mostly Music was a chamber music concert led by Samuel Magad, long-time concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with other first chairs of the CSO, such as violist Charles Pikler and cellist John Sharp. In 2001, at age 80, Hilkevitch stepped down as executive director of Mostly Music. The organization continued to present chamber music in homes as part of NEJU, under the aegis of Dr. Salme Steinberg. ln 2008. it again became an independent nonprofit as Mostly Music Inc.
Joyce Turner Hilkevitch had a strong influence on the music scene in Chicago, revitalizing interest in chamber music and supporting young performers of chamber music who went on to notable careers. Her championship in the 1970s and 1980s of contemporary chamber music composers, women composers, and composers of color, contributed to an increase in artistic diversity in 21st century chamber music. As the late Shirley Rosenthal summed up, “Joyce has given us some of the most beautiful afternoons of music in our lives.”
This collection contains photographs, administrative records, posters, publications, and correspondence documenting Joyce Turner Hilkevitich's life and accomplishements and the work of Mostly Music.
Hyde Park Historical Society. Collection
| Box 1 | Recital Photos, undated |
| Box 1 | Mostly Music Incorporated, Schedule and Photos (1 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Mostly Music Incorporated, Schedule and Photos (2 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Chamber Music Programs and Press Clippings |
| Box 1 | Photos and Children’s Drawings |
| Box 1 | Photos of Musicians and Ensembles (1 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Photos of Musicians and Ensembles (2 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Performance Photos |
| Box 1 | Photos of Speakers and Receptions (1 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Photos of Speakers and Receptions (2 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Photos of Samuel Magad Reception |
| Box 1 | Illinois Arts Council, Photos |
| Box 1 | Darlene Blackburn Dance Troupe, Photos |
| Box 1 | Photos, undated (1 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Photos, undated (2 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Hyde Park Cultural Calendars and Event Programs |
| Box 1 | Kenwood Events, Press Clippings |
| Box 1 | Harper Court Bonds |
| Box 1 | Kenwood County Fair, Memo |
| Box 1 | Personal Correspondence |
| Box 1 | Joyce Hilkevitch, Social Work |
| Box 1 | Joyce Hilkevitch, Westbrook Pegler |
| Box 1 | Learn to Listen, Teaching Materials |
| Box 1 | Letters and Handwritten Letters, to Joyce Hilkevitch |
| Box 1 | Paid Bills for June |
| Box 1 | Children’s Art and Thank You Notes, 1995 |
| Box 1 | Neighborhood Associations, Materials (1 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Neighborhood Associations, Materials (2 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Mostly Music, Flyers and Announcements |
| Box 1 | Screenplay |
| Box 1 | Music on Hyde Park or Philanthropy |
| Box 1 | La Salle Bank |
| Box 1 | Mostly Music Concert Arrangements |
| Box 1 | Notes and Articles |
| Box 1 | Mostly Music, Concert Series Guide |
| Box 1 | Paid Bills |
| Box 1 | Chamber Music |
| Box 1 | Joyce Hilkevitch Papers, Miscellaneous |
| Box 1 | Mostly Music, Hyde Park |
| Box 1 | First Chicago Center, Press Releases |
| Box 1 | Paid Bills, 1981 |
| Box 1 | Correspondence, 1992-1993 |
| Box 1 | Correspondence and Press Clippings, 1979-1980 |
| Box 1 | Come to the Cabaret |
| Box 1 | Press Clippings, 1975-1985 (1 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Press Clippings, 1975-1985 (2 of 2) |
| Box 1 | Mostly Music, Mayo School |
| Box 2 | Notes to Shirley Rosenthal at Mostly Music, from Northside Catholic Academy |
| Box 2 | Notes to Shirley Rosenthal at Mostly Music, from Vickee Kamberos |
| Box 2 | Notes to Shirley Rosenthal at Mostly Music, from Calumet High School |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Press and Programs |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Programs and Clippings |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music Day, Mayor Proclamation, February 25, 1986 |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Finances, 1980-1983 |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Northeastern Illinois University, Press Clippings |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Northeastern Illinois University, Administrative Documents |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Northeastern Illinois University News |
| Box 2 | Northeastern, Brochures |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Administration Lists |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Hitchcock Court, Programs and Press |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Correspondence |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Newsletters and Finances |
| Box 2 | Brochures and A Teacher’s Guide to Music |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Applications |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Grants and Gala |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Ensemble Brochures |
| Box 2 | Pre Science Corp. Invoice (Bart Structure) |
| Box 2 | Union Fidelity, Supplement |
| Box 2 | Northeastern Illinois University, Items |
| Box 2 | AARP, Quadrangle Club Dinner |
| Box 2 | Mostly Music, Publicity, 1996-1998 |
| Box 2 | Brochure and Ledger |
| Box 2 | Gift of Hope Pin |
| Box 3 | Mostly Music, Posters, Film, and Press Clippings |
| Box 3 | Chicago’s Landmark Structures: An Inventory |
| Box 3 | Hyde Park organizations and events -- posters, flyers, photographs |
| Box 3 | Scrapbook – “Presented to Joyce Turner Hilkevitch, Founder of Mostly Music and Phenomenal Woman, September 22, 2001 |
| Box 4 | Personal Album – Resolution on JTH 70th birthday by Mayor, October 26, 1991; Nominations to the Chicago Women’s Hall of Fame, Photographs |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, programs and registration, Folder 1, 1981-1999 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, programs and registration, Folder 2, 2000-2013 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, anniversary events, 1941-2001 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, Chamber Music in the Home, 1974-1994 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, concert guides/mailers, 1983-2000 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, CUBE and Smart Museum, 1996-2012 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, Learn to Listen, Learn to Play, 1990-1998 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, lunchtime concerts, 1976-1985 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, Michael Reese Hospital, 1979-1980 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, Vermeer Quartet, 1985-2007 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, contracted artists and businesses, 1980-2010 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music and Joyce journalism, Folder 1, 1959-2014 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music and Joyce journalism, Folder 2, 1993-1997 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music and Joyce journalism, Folder 3, 1994-1998 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, Honors, Thank Yous, Commendations, 1965-2011 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, planning, Folder 1, 1989-2006 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, planning, Folder 2, 1978-1985 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, blank stationary, undated |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, grant applications, Folder 1, 1976-1995 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, grant applications, Folder 2, 1994-2001 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, Board of Directors and finances, Folder 1, 1979-2004 |
| Box 5 | Mostly Music, Board of Directors and finances, Folder 2, 2000-2001 |
| Box 5 | Millennium Project, Participant Resource Directory, 2000 |
| Box 5 | Joyce correspondence, 1970-2013 |
| Box 6 | NEIU, proclamations and commendations, 1995 |
| Box 6 | NEIU, concert guides and mailers, 1995-2006 |
| Box 6 | NEIU, planning and speeches, 1985-2005 |
| Box 6 | NEIU, programs and ads, Folder 1, 1995-2007 |
| Box 6 | NEIU, programs and ads, Folder 2, 1986-1994 |
| Box 6 | National Organization for Women, 1966-1968 |
| Box 6 | Miscellaneous programs, articles, memorabilia, Folder 1, 1952-1981 |
| Box 6 | Miscellaneous programs, articles, memorabilia, Folder 2, 1982-2014 |
| Box 6 | Business cards, undated |
| Box 6 | Kenwood Open House, 1962-1966 |
| Box 6 | Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 1962 |
| Box 6 | Re-Joyce-ing 95, 2016 |
| Box 6 | Clinton campaign, 1997 |
| Box 6 | Personal Files, Folder 1, 1974-2014 |
| Box 6 | Personal Files, Folder 2, 2006 |
| Box 6 | Personal Files, Folder 3, 1938-2013 |
| Box 6 | Photos, Folder 1, 1986-1988 |
| Box 6 | Photos, Folder 2, 1989-1990 |
| Box 6 | Photos, Folder 3, undated |
| Box 6 | Photos, Folder 4, undated |
| Box 6 | Photos, Folder 5, undated |
| Box 6 | Photos, Folder 6, 1990 |
| Box 6 | Photos, Folder 7, undated |
| Box 6 | Photos, Folder 8, undated |
| Box 6 | Photos, Joyce Hyde Park, 1996 |
| Box 6 | Photos, Chamber Music, 1997 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Joyce music party, 1997 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Joyce, undated |
| Box 7 | Grant Park Concerts Society, Folder 1, 1973-1977 |
| Box 7 | Grant Park Concerts Society, Folder 2, 1977-1978 |
| Box 7 | Mostly Music correspondence, thank yous, 1979-2014 |
| Box 7 | Mostly Music, grant application, 1996 |
| Box 7 | Mostly Music, planning, 1991-2000 |
| Box 7 | Lab School, 1967-1971 |
| Box 7 | Politics, 1963-1983 |
| Box 7 | Women’s rights, 1971 |
| Box 7 | Peace work, 1951-1954 |
| Box 7 | Kenwood and integration, 1962-1963 |
| Box 7 | Hyde Park community, Montgomery Place, Temple, 2010-2014 |
| Box 7 | Employment and volunteer work, 1966-1975 |
| Box 7 | Philanthropy, 1957-1992 |
| Box 7 | Correspondence, 1949-1991 |
| Box 7 | Birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, 1938-1986 |
| Box 7 | Biographical documents, 1971-2015 |
| Box 7 | Harris School counseling, 1975 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Folder 1, 1978-1999 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Folder 2, 1987-2005 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Folder 3, 1987-1999 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Folder 4, 1978-1999 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Folder 5, 1987-1988 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Folder 6, 1988-1996 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Folder 7, 1987-1999 |
| Box 7 | Photos, Folder 8, 1987-1999 |
| Box 8 | Photos, Folder 9, 1988-1999 |
| Box 8 | Photos, Folder 10, 1994-2004 |
| Box 8 | Photos, Folder 11, 1982-2001 |
| Box 8 | Photos, Folder 12, undated |
| Box 8 | Photos, Folder 13, 2005-2006 and undated |
| Box 8 | Photos, Folder 14, 1988-2005 |
| Box 8 | Photos, Folder 15, undated |
| Box 8 | Musician publicity photos, undated |
| Box 8 | Photos, University of Chicago seminar, 1998 |
| Box 8 | Negatives, 1996-1998 |
| Box 8 | Cosmo Compoli slides, 1972 |
| Box 8 | Mostly Music, concert guides and mailers, 1993-2012 |
| Box 8 | Mostly Music, events, 1985-2008 |
| Box 8 | Mostly Music, journalism, 1974-1992 |
| Box 8 | NEIU, mailers and journalism, 1975-2007 |
| Box 8 | Mostly Music, programs and registration, 1998-1999 |
| Box 8 | Mostly Music, programs and journalism, 1975-2009 |
| Box 8 | Mostly Music, programs and newsletters, 1985-2000 |
| Box 8 | Mostly Music, awards, 1994-2000 |
| Box 8 | Mostly Music, registration, undated |
| Box 8 | Mostly Music, miscellaneous, 1976-2004 |
| Box 8 | Correspondence, 1977-2000 |
| Box 8 | Ledgers, 1974-1994 |
| Box 8 | Orchestra sketch, undated |
| Box 8 | Student drawings and thank yous, 1994-1995 |
| Box 8 | Scenes from Mostly Music, 1992-1993 |
| Box 8 | Collage, Calumet Career Prep, 1996 |
| Box 8 | Planning and neighborhood work, undated |
| Box 8 | Aspen Summer Camp, 1964-2006 |
| Box 8 | Cards and letters, 1969-1999 |
| Box 8 | External commitments and activities, 1964-2011 |
| Box 9 | Photo album, Mostly Music Awards, 2000 |
| Box 9 | Photo album, Sforzando!, 1998 |
| Box 9 | Photo album, 1997-2000 |
| Box 9 | Photo album, 1986 |
| Box 9 | Photo album, 1991 |
| Box 9 | 3 photo albums, undated |
| Box 10 | VHS, Beat of the Drum, 1995 |
| Box 10 | VHS, An Afternoon of Ballet & Music, 1992 |
| Box 10 | VHS, 20th Anniversary Gala Preparation, 1993 |
| Box 10 | 2 VHS, 20th Anniversary Gala, 1993 |
| Box 10 | 3 VHS, The Phenomenal Woman at NEIU, 1995 |
| Box 10 | VHS, Calumet High School Dancers at NEIU, 1997 |
| Box 10 | VHS, Dan Tucker’s 70th Birthday Celebration, 1995 |
| Box 10 | VHS, Black History Celebration at NEIU, 1997 |
| Box 10 | VHS, Children’s concert, Corporate Brass Quintet, 1996 |
| Box 10 | VHS, The Vermeer Quartet, 1997 |
| Box 10 | 2 VHS, To the Beat of the Drum Five, 1999 |
| Box 10 | VHS, Here’s 2 Chicago, 1998 |
| Box 10 | VHS, Portrait of a Muckracker, 1986 |
| Box 10 | VHS, Lila York, Strays, undated |
| Box 10 | VHS, Harriet Tubman - A Portrait/Mostly Music at KAM Temple, 1992 |
| Box 10 | VHS, unlabeled |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Augustin Maruri, Guitar, Michaek Kevin Jones, Cello, 1998 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Avalon Quartet, 1998 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Vermeer Quartet, Jan Bach: Anachronisms, 1991 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Vermeer Quartet, Anton Kuerti, piano, 1993 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Golden Cassette, undated |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Vermeer Quartet, undated |
| Box 10 | Cassettes (2), The Vermeer Quartet with Rami Solomonow & Chris Costanza, 1996 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Vermeer Quartet, Mozart Beethoven & Brahms, 1997 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Vermeer Quartet, 1997 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, A Brass Spectacular, 1999 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Music of Lita Grier, undated |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Studs Terkel Interview with Anita Berry, 1986 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Studs Terkel Program with The Griffon String Quartet, 1991 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Studs Terkel with Carol Loverde & Abe Stokman, 1994 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Ariel Ensemble, undated |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Ensemble d’Accord, undated |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Teresa Orantes guitar and song, undated |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Piano live performance, undated |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The International String Quartet, 1980 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, W. Perry Johnson, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, 1989 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Guild Trio, Mendelssohn D minor, undated |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Guild Trio, Beethoven and Faure, 1992 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Guild Trio, Concert recording, 1992 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, North Coast Trio, 1992 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Amernet String Quartet, 1993 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Daniel String Quartet, 1993 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Trio Atlantique, 1993 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Ariana Quartet, 1992 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Lita Greer, Meet the Composer, 1994 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, The Phenomenal Woman, 1995 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Elm City Ensemble, 1997 |
| Box 10 | Cassette, Studs Terkel Interview with Ray Still, undated |
| Box 10 | 50 slides, art show, undated |
| Box 10 | 31 slides, Mostly Music work by Weese, undated |
| Box 11 | Photo album, undated |
| Box 11 | Guest book, 1984-1989 |
| Box 11 | 2 Rolodex, undated |
| Box 12 | ASCAP Chamber Music America Award, 2001 |
| Box 12 | Certificate of Recognition, Northeastern Illinois University, 2006 |
| Box 12 | Certification, National Association of Social Workers, 1972 |
| Box 12 | Posters, 1978-1993 |
| Box 12 | Hyde Park Heralds, 1959-1988 |
| Box 12 | Sheet music, undated |
| Box 13 | Journalism, 1988-1990 |
| Box 13 | Photo collages, 1973-2000 |
| Box 13 | Student thank you art, 1994-1995 |
| Box 13 | Sheet music, undated |
| Box 13 | Proclamation, State of Illinois, 1997 |
| Box 13 | Mostly Music order form, 1999 |
| Box 13 | Posters, Folder 1, 1983-1989 |
| Box 13 | Posters, Folder 2, 1982 |
| Box 13 | Posters, Folder 3, 1979-1981 and undated |
| Box 14 | Resolution, City of Chicago, 1991 |
| Box 14 | History of Mostly Music, 1981-1990 |
| Box 14 | Promotional artwork, 1979-1995 |
| Box 14 | Promotional artwork and posters, 1981-1992 |
| Box 15 | Enlarged photo of Joyce, undated |
| Box 15 | Mostly Music canvas poster, undated |