Celebrating 86 Years of Civic Music Association

Civic Music Association brings an artistic legacy of fine arts performances to Des Moines, forever ensuring a culturally rich community.

In our 86th year, CMA continues to be a unique and significant arts organization in the Des Moines community. The mission has not varied from its inception – to both present artistic excellent performances and foster education. By bringing world-renowned artists to central Iowa, CMA not only offers audiences unforgettable fine arts experiences, but also builds awareness, understanding and respect for classical, world and jazz artistry. Des Moines’ cultural fabric is enriched with every concert, every diverse artist we bring to Des Moines.

The history of Civic Music began officially on June 30, 1925, following a number of informal meetings of community music-minded people who became the leaders in years to follow. That small group of founders, Mrs. Elsa Neumann, Mrs. Sam Shloss and Mrs. Arthur Cowles, were concerned that there was no provision in Des Moines for bringing the musical artists which were delighting audiences and winning accolades in many other cities. The original constitution included this language for a mission statement: “The object of this association shall be the advancement of Des Moines as a music center; to merge varied musical interests of the city into one coordinating agency to serve as a clearing house for civic music activities; to develop our own musical resources; to promote a series of artist concerts at popular prices; to create a fund to be used to provide for our city permanent advantages and facilities such as a municipal organ, a municipal band, community singing, a chorus, music scholarships, etc.” To that end, these accomplishments were realized:

• The municipal organ was provided for the then new Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
• The Municipal Band with its ‘Music Under the Stars’ concerts, and the Drake-Des Moines Symphony orchestra, (later the Des Moines Symphony) were given financial assistance.
• Music Scholarships were provided.
• A matinee concert by the St. Olaf Chorus was presented for high school choruses.
• A contract for presentation of one of the country’s leading symphony orchestras each year included provision for a daytime concert for 4,000 Des Moines school pupils from grades four to twelve, each of whom paid twenty five cents plus carfare.

Since that time, Civic Music has presented a continuous concert series to include such notable artists as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Artur Rubinstein, Beverly Sills, Isaac Stern and Frederica von Stade. In 1990, CMA added jazz to its series and among the high caliber artists to join us include Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, John Pizzarelli, Kurt Elling and the Mignus Big Band.

Additionally, Civic Music presents a free summer concert series with the Belin String Quartet, Fridays at noon in Nollen Plaza. For more details about the Quartet, visit www.civicmusic.org/belin/index.htm.