About MCCA

History of MCCA

For 85 years the Muskegon Community Concert Association has been promoting the cultural and aesthetic growth of our city by providing a dynamic spectrum of internationally-renowned artists in an intimate hometown setting.

Established in 1923 as the Civic Music Association, Muskegon Community Concert Association is part of a national organization established according to the Civic Music Plan, begun by Miss Dema E. Harsilbarger of Chicago.

The Civic Music Plan, based on member subscription, emerged to promote the appreciation of the best in art music by showcasing the finest artists while ensuring “full house” audiences. This plan continues today in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, serving millions of members through the maintenance of high artistic standards at very reasonable costs.

Headquartered initially in the Beerman Music House, the Civic Music Association was endorsed first by the Muskegon Women's Club in 1922 and, over the years, was headquartered at various locations within the community.

Of particular interest is the period from 1942 to 1951, due to assiduous archiving of news articles, slicks, glossies and programs highlighting the eminence of the featured performers. Artist and ensemble names include Isaac Stern, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Vienna Boys’ Choir, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Pennario, Ezio Pinza, Mischa Elman, Jan Peerce, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, etc. Among those prominent in Association leadership during that decade and beyond, were H. Andrew Hanson and Cecelia Knoll.*

The Association continued through the years under the auspices of the National Broadcasting Corporation, Columbia Broadcasting and Columbia Artists. Subsequent “homes” of the Muskegon Community Concert Association included the Y.M.C.A. and First Congregational Church.

Concerts, originally held at Muskegon High School in the Hackley Manual Training Center auditorium, then in the Muskegon High School auditorium, have been held in the Frauenthal** Center for the Performing Arts since 1979. It was on the occasion of the grand renovation and reopening of the historic Frauenthal Theater in 1998, that the Muskegon Community Concert Association first celebrated its history of service.
The desire of MCCA to present only the best of the performing arts has been an excellent fit with its Muskegon area clientele and its historically high artistic standards. The 2008-2009 season upholds the Muskegon Community Concert Association’s position as the arts value leader of the community.

We thank the community and the membership for supporting over eighty years of superlative performing arts presentations.

*MCCA subscribers are urged to contribute historically relevant MCCA memorabilia to the archival program. Please contact Kent Krive at 231-744-8426 or k.krive@verizon.net

**to pronounce correctly, start with the German “frau” (as in “how”)