About Us

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The end of World War II found Los Angeles on the cusp of an explosive expansion. The war had seen a boom in the production of military support with the major construction of airplanes and ships. 

The city had remained home to much of the commercial film production in the United States, although many studios had contributed to the propaganda production of the United States government, using many established stars who had been exempt from overseas military service. True, there were a lot of famous names serving in Europe and the Pacific, but there were still recognizable faces at work in Hollywood. The City boundaries were smaller, leaving large parcels of land for experimentation on newer jet engines and construction of housing subdivisions. 

The Arts in California were centered in San Francisco, represented by their world-famous Opera House.   The city was a magnet for European emigres, especially the creative Jewish community who fled ahead of the German Nazis. A Jewish community expanded on L. A.’s near the east side. Refugee Alfred Leonard, an owner of a small record shop in Los Angeles looked around and saw an opportunity. His radio show “Gateway to Music” on KFAC catered to this community with classical music and was growing. In conjunction with the Junior Chamber of Commerce, 

The Music Guild held a series of sold-out concerts by Artur Schnabel at Philharmonic Hall. 

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. 

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.

The Music Guild expanded to the San Fernando Valley with concerts at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. This was followed by concerts at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, CSUN in Northridge, and its current home in Valley Village at Adat Ari El Temple.

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.

The Music Guild begins concerts in Long Beach at 

CSULB's Daniel Recital Hall.  The concerts are presented 

in conjunction with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music.

Simultaneously, The Music Guild begins 

master classes for music students 

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.

The Sunday concerts at the Music Center morphed into Sunday afternoon programs called SummerFest. The late afternoon concerts are designed for families where younger children can't stay out late on school nights during the regular season and Seniors can no longer drive at night.  The concerts are presented at the University Synagogue near the 405 in Brentwood.

Following the passing of Doctor Annette Kaufman, The Music Guild instituted the Louis and Annette Kaufman instrument lending program. Students are now able to learn violins on the instruments of a performer considered one of the world's greatest violinists.

Under the Robert Cauer Violins and Louis Kaufman Instrument Lending Programs, The Music Guild lends string instruments and bows to those talented students who cannot afford fine instruments and bows, and to beginning students who cannot afford to purchase or rent instruments.

Louis Kaufman's work was displayed in numerous motion pictures in the middle of the twentieth century including Gone With Wind and Wuthering Heights,