Oral History Interview with Cooper, Bettie Minette Switzer

Minette Cooper was a major contributor to the formation of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra from the merger of the area's three existing orchestras, the Norfolk Symphony, the Peninsula Orchestra, and the Virginia Beach Pops. She served both on the Symphony Board and as an officer in the Symphony league during that period. Her service on the orchestra's board predated the merger period and continues to the present time. She served as president of the Board of Directors from 1986-1988. Cooper was born in New York, New York on December 23, 1937. The interview was conducted with Minette Cooper in her Norfolk home for a project on the history of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.The interview discusses Cooper's time as a member of the Virginia Symphony Board of Directors. Important highlights include the merger of the Peninsula, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach orchestras; relations with Norfolk State and Old Dominion Universities; the Virginia Symphony strike; experiences with the symphony conductors; and avocation for arts education. 1:42:30

Minette Cooper was a major contributor to the formation of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra from the merger of the area's three existing orchestras, the Norfolk Symphony, the Peninsula Orchestra, and the Virginia Beach Pops. She served both on the Symphony Board and as an officer in the Symphony league during that period. Her service on the orchestra's board predated the merger period and continues to the present time. She served as president of the Board of Directors from 1986-1988. Cooper was born in New York, New York on December 23, 1937. The interview was conducted with Minette Cooper in her Norfolk home for a project on the history of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.The interview discusses Cooper's time as a member of the Virginia Symphony Board of Directors. Important highlights include the merger of the Peninsula, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach orchestras; relations with Norfolk State and Old Dominion Universities; the Virginia Symphony strike; experiences with the symphony conductors; and avocation for arts education.

Photograph of Minette Cooper taken during oral history interview for the Virginia Symphony Archives project.

Photograph of Minette Cooper and Jean Major taken during oral history interview for the Virginia Symphony Archives project.