The Fergus Falls Concert Association was organized in 1938. It is one of the oldest continually operating Concert Associations in the country.
The first concert series, 1938-1939, consisted of three concerts, and the ticket prices were $3.00 for adults and $1.50 for students.
The first two years the concerts were held at the Methodist or Federated Churches. In 1940 they were moved to the Washington Junior High School Gymnasium, and in 1953 they were moved again to the Roosevelt Senior High School Gymnasium. In 1970 the concerts were moved to the Middle School Auditorium, the present location. It has since been renamed the Kennedy Secondary School Auditorium.
In the early years the concert series featured some well-known artists. That included Kirsten Flagstad, James Melton, Jerome Hines, Leonard Warren, Helen Jepson, and Leontyne Price. Some were past their prime. Others were just starting their careers but they were in Fergus Falls.
The father of the Fergus Falls Concert Association was Fenwick Fetvedt. He was one of the original organizers of the Association and he was on the first Board of Directors. He served as secretary for the first 30 years and he never missed a meeting. He later served as president. Fenwick retired from the Board in 1980 after serving 42 years. He passed away in 1995.
In July 2010, Virginia Mouritsen passed away. She was the last surviving member of the first Board of Directors of the concert association when it was organized in 1938.
The Fergus Falls Concert Association was formed to present concerts by outstanding artists from all over the world at an affordable price for the benefit of the people of Fergus Falls and the surrounding communities.
The mission of the Association at its inception is still valid today: the advancement of the social, musical, educational and cultural interests.
dinner with a discount on concert nights
FFCA Members, and members of reciprocity Concert Associations—Show your membership card to enjoy dinner with a discount on concert nights at one of these participating locally-owned restaurants.
FERGUS FALLS CONCERT ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 711
Fergus Falls, MN, 56538-0711
Jeanne Jensen, Board President: 218-731-3303
Karen Christensen, Membership: 253-961-8262, kecactor@gmail.com
Concert Venue
Fergus Falls Kennedy Secondary School Auditorium
(former Middle School)
601 East Randolph,
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Map this Location
Life Church
901 Cty Hwy 116
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Map this Location
FFCA 2026 Performing Arts Scholarship
The Fergus Falls Concert Association awarded its 2026 Performing Arts Scholarship to Elizabeth Karlgaard, a senior home-schooled student, who also attends Kennedy Secondary School. Elizabeth plays the violin in the KSS orchestra, as a member of the Chamber Strings group, and has performed with the Fergus Falls Civic Orchestra. She has also helped with summer orchestra camps, working with younger orchestra students.
Outside of school, she is heavily involved in church music, performing a mixture of singing, playing guitar, piano, cajon, or violin. Lizzy has also played for weddings and funerals. She states “I enjoy sharing the love of music and my gifts with those around me.”
She has chosen to use her scholarship award toward the purchase of a new bow for her violin.
The scholarship is awarded to a student who has displayed accomplishment and potential in instrumental or vocal performance in the FFCA membership area, which includes schools in Fergus Falls, Battle Lake, Underwood, Ashby, Elbow Lake, Rothsay, Pelican Rapids, and home-schooled students in those districts. The scholarship is made possible through the FFCA Endowment Fund. For information on how to donate to this Fund, email fergusfallsconcerts@gmail.com
