Our Story

 The Music Guild named a new Executive Director in 1950. 

Under the direction of Dorothy Huttenback, The Music Guild was able to expand its worldwide reach, using her background as a talent agent. 

In London in 1933, she joined the Wilfrid Van Wyck Ltd Artist Agency. Relocating to Los Angeles at the start of World War II in 1939, Mrs. Huttenback gained fame during her long career representing artists such as Rubenstein, Horowitz, and Tamanova, and discovering and developing the careers of Marilyn Horne and Mary Costa. 

Los Angeles attorney, Eugene Golden, took over the reigns of The Music Guild in 1985 when Dorothy Huttenback fell ill.  He expanded the number of annual concerts from five in one venue to 22 in four venues and added 32 children’s concerts, and programs in Senior residences, Alzheimer facilities, and Veterans Homes. He established a fund-raising program to acquire instruments for children. Mr. Golden arranged for national broadcasts of The Music Guild concerts on NPR and joined with actor Philip Sterling to present classical music and commentary on KCSN. 

Music in Schools 

The ensembles performing for our adult audiences, bring their formidable talents into a variety of elementary schools. These ambassadors of music introduce many students not just to classical music but also to the instruments themselves. The children mingle with the musicians showing them how they finger the strings or play the piano keys. The children gain an entirely new appreciation for music when they hear how the sounds are created. More importantly, we encourage the students to study music and learn to play an instrument.

The Music Guild provides Master Classes around Southern California for advanced music students. Many schools have seen their budgets cut and arts programs trimmed. These classes help fill a deep need.

Henri Temianka and The LA Phil in conjunction with Mr. Golden 

began a Sunday Morning series of Chamber Music concerts.   

Sunday mornings, the Music Center Plaza was filled 

with the aroma of fresh baked pastries and coffee.

Kids Performing for Kids Program

The Music Guild brings talented students into schools to show other kids what classical music sounds like in their hands. These young musicians inspire other students to pursue their music education with an enthusiastic spirit, as the 

mini-concerts help students relate to the music and what it can mean for them.

Career Development for Emerging Ensembles

Upon graduation, young ensembles without large financial support, face the most difficult time developing their careers. The Music Guild engages the most talented of these ensembles multiple times which builds their resumes, advises them on successful programming, and publicizes their names with 40,000 fliers, posters and Los Angeles Times and other newspaper and website calendar listings. The ensembles have included the:  Calder Quartet, Piano Trio Céleste, Janaki String Trio, Saguaro Piano Trio, Telegraph Quartet, and Neave Trio.