Federal Music Project

During the Great Depression, many people visited these symphonies to forget about the economic hardship of the time.

In 1939, the FMP transitioned to the Works Progress Administration's Music Program, which along with many other WPA projects, was phased out in the midst of World War II.

[2] In the grips of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed to sharply increase public projects in order to raise employment.

In 1936, the Works Progress Administration also began to add on to the Federal Music Project.

The primary objective of the FMP was to employ professional musicians from all over the country to perform as instrumentalists, singers, and concert actors.

[3] Even though the project was thought to be this picturesque, ideal, and perfect plan, there were still many challenging facets that occurred during its time.

Helen Chandler Ryan served as the FMP state music director from January 1936 until the project's end in 1943.

She adapted the national program to meet the special musical interests of her sparsely populated state.

New Mexico's implementation of the Federal Music Program received praise for its diversity.

These musical concerts were either a very low cost, or they were free, allowing many who could otherwise not afford such luxury to attend.

Sokoloff had resigned the previous month amid debate over his preference toward classical music.