Supporting Community Music

History

       St. Cecilia Society is a music organization founded in 1890 when twelve ladies met at the home of Mrs. J. Dallas Dort (Nellie Bates) to study the improvement of music in the community. Originally, the membership was limited to 35 women, but the group has grown to include all men and women who wish to belong for the purpose of promoting musical endeavors in the Flint area.

       The name of the organization is derived from Cecilia, a Roman woman, known as the patron saint of music who was martyred around 230 A.D.

       The Dort home was the first meeting place of St. Cecilia Society and was located on the current site of the J. Dallas Dort Music Center. The original house which had been given to the Flint Institute of Music was destroyed by a fire. A new and larger building replaced the original house, and a major addition has been added. The St. Cecilia Society currently maintains a room in the Dort Music Center where the group’s organizational meetings take place.

Purpose

The purpose of St. Cecilia Society is

• To provide a group for musical enjoyment and appreciation.
• To conduct musical enterprises in all branches pertaining to music.
• To present musical and dramatic performances and other related activities.
• To foster and promote musical scholarships throughout the community.