The Harvard Musical Association | Founded 1837 The science and art of Music is worthy of a place in a system of liberal education and deserving of cultivation. The Harvard Musical Association is a private charitable organization founded by Harvard University graduates in 1837 for the purposes of advancing musical culture and literacy both at the College and in the city of Boston. Among the Associations most important major accomplishments in the middle of the nineteenth century are the creation of the countrys finest music library of that time the first professional and public chamber music series the erection of the great Boston Music Hall and the formation of the Harvard Musical Association Orchestra which ultimately gave rise to the Boston Symphony. Today HMA library and concert rooms are available during weekdays without charge to musicians for practicing and scholars for research.