In the 1940s the members-only organization that was to bring reasonably-priced artistic attractions to the city was the RIO GRANDE VALLEY CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION. This group contracted with Civic Concert Services, Inc. based in New York City, and the Civic concert Association. These provided performer services to cities nationwide. These entities had a history extending back to the year 1927 when people began to think "Why not raise some money first and then hire the artists?" The idea soon caught on. Between 1945 and 1950 the total number of community associations rose to an all time high of 1008. Audiences enjoyed the talents of performers like Rudolf Serkin, Paul Robeson, and the Van Trapp Family Singers. Jan Peerce, Metropolitan Opera tenor, performed in Harlingen as did soprano Vivian Della Chiesa, and pianist Alec Templeton. In 1960 the Civic Music Association here became the Harlingen Community Concert Association which in turn was now to be serviced by Community Concerts, a division of Columbia Artists Management, Inc. In the year 2000 the service corporation, Community Concerts, was purchased by the Trawick Company. Over time it failed to properly provide programming so the Harlingen Community Concert Association severed its ties with Trawick in 2003. The local association revised its Constitution and By-Laws in March 2004, changing its name at that time to Harlingen Concert Association. During the Fall-Winter seasons it has continued to offer five to six outstanding concert events each season. Artists presented rage from classic pianists and singers to brass ensembles to hillbilly and everything in between. There is truly something for everyone. The success of working in unity to provide low cost access to quality entertainment is no more evident than with the Harlingen Concert Association and what it has accomplished.
James Hough
