APOLLO CLUB OF WELLSVILLE, NY?

Research by Mary Rhodes; Editing by Ron Taylor

As a startup of this history of the Apollo Club of Wellsville, NY, presented below is a photo of the 2nd Annual Concert Choir in 1938 and a copy of the back containing the program for that concert.

Thanks to the archives of Nathaniel Dyke Museum of Wellsville, these items are available for us to share.  They were presented to the Museum by 4 members of the group.

Above photo Original by Joan Dickenson-Wellsville Daily Reporter

The Apollo Male Chorus, organized in 1936 with 28 Charter Members, no longer is actively singing, but in it's day it was one of Wellsville's glories.  In 1949 at Kleinhan's in Buffalo, the chorus won the New York State Male Chorus Champions award and in 1950, successfully defended its title at Carnegie Hall.  The quartet above, the only charter members still living in Wellsville, recently presented a collection of Apollo memorabilia to the Nathaniel Dyke Museum.  From L-R, they are John Schulz, Louis Scarlato, Joseph Congelli and Arthur Gallman.  The Nathaniel Dyke Museum will reopen soon for it's May-October season.

Both are visible in much larger format by tapping the small images, and then one more zoom larger with a second tap after opening occurs.

February 23, 1938

 

Thanks to Doris Mac Farquhar of Wellsville we can share in the 1960-1963 Programs below.....

1960 Program

1961 Program

1962 Program

1963 Program

 

 

(I welcome anyone's contribution to this area; If you have photos or more history of the Club, please contact me and I will arrange to have copies placed here to share.) Email: RON TAYLOR, Webmaster

From Andover News articles below we learn that the 1st Formal Concert of The Apollo Club of Wellsville, NY was presented in 1937.

From Obituary of one of the Club's members, Joe Congelli, we learn that "Apollo Club, .... was part of the Male Chorus of America. As part of the Apollo Club, Joe helped light up the stages of Broadway in New York City”

Andover News - May 19, 1939 - Page 3

From Andover Free Library, online archives

Above, (Tap to enlarge)

"ONCE BEST IN STATE, APOLLO CLUB SINGERS ARE REBORN..."

FROM: Wellsville Daily Reporter; Monday - December 5, 1983