Concert Series
Over the span of fifty-four years of concert activity, 1766–1820, the St. Cecilia Society presented forty-three seasons of regular concerts. The eleven years of apparent inactivity were the result of the American Revolution (eight seasons, autumn 1775-spring 1783), financial complications (two seasons, autumn 1788–spring 1790), and the War of 1812 (one season, autumn 1814-spring 1815). While the date of the commencement and termination of each season varied from year to year, the concerts generally began in mid-autumn and continued fortnightly through early spring. The number of concerts each season also varied, but over the course of half a century they averaged at least eight or nine performances per season.
Elegant balls or dancing assemblies replaced the concerts after 1820, but dancing was not a new addition to the society's activities. Beginning with its inaugural season in 1766-67, each concert was followed by several hours of social dancing. Since 1820, however, dancing assemblies have been the focus of the society's annual events.
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