Spencer Area Concert Association

Spencer, Iowa

Spencer Area Concert Association Dissolves

To Be Replaced by Concert Committee

Arts on Grand is forming a new Concert Committee to take over some of the duties of the Spencer Area Concert Association. The committee will be responsible for scheduling and presenting concerts under the auspices of the Spencer Area Arts Council.

Martin Arthur announced in fall 2010 that he would step down as president at the end of the 2010–2011 season. He was elected in the fall of 2004, and took over the full duties with the 2005–2006 season. When no one came forward to take over, the board of directors of the Spencer Area Concert Association voted unanimously to dissolve the organization in a meeting on Tuesday, April 26.

The Concert Association had a long and rich history. It originated as the Clay County Concert League in 1938, which was formed to provide programming after the construction of the new high school auditorium. The first concert was a performance by the Vienna Boys Choir on November 2, 1938. Their return to the auditorium on Valentine’s Day 2009 attracted statewide notice when it was covered by Iowa Public Television.

In its heyday, the Concert Association brought some of the biggest names in show business to Spencer, including Victor Borge, the piano duo Ferrante & Teicher, and Hermione Gingold (best known for her role in the film Gigi). In recent years, the Concert Association often presented new talent, such as Swedish pianist Per Tengstrand, who was to make his Carnegie Hall debut the following week

During the past two years, season ticket sales had dropped off significantly from their 2008–2009 levels. At the same time, individual ticket sales had reached new highs, signalling that the old membership/season ticket model was no longer working in the Spencer area.

It is expected that the Concert Committee will begin by presenting two concerts a year, one in the fall and one in the spring, and that each concert will include an educational component, such as a performance for students or workshops in the schools. Major funding will come from a bequest from Agnes Goecke.

If you would be interested in serving on the Concert Committee, please contact Arts on Grand at 712.262.4307.

 

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