A FOND DU LAC TRADITION SINCE 1927

Our performing arts series began at a time when television was non-existent and professional performing artists were a rarity in small towns. The Fond du Lac Concert Association traces its history back to the year 1927, when a Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter article stated that "The organization of a Fond du Lac Civic Music Association was undertaken recently by Mrs. A. D. Sutherland, chairperson of the music department of the Woman’s Club." The association plan which had already been adopted successfully in more than 100 cities, eliminated the financial uncertainty of bringing talented artists to perform in Fond du Lac. Season tickets were priced at Adults $5 - Students $3.50. Concert presentations under the auspices of the Fond du Lac Civic Music association were only available through a subscription membership plan.

Newspaper articles that appeared in the Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter between February 16, 1927 and March 1, 1927, provide a detailed chronicle of the Fond du Lac Civic Music Association and its membership drive. During this amazing 15 day period the following events occurred: the association was formed and organized, officers were elected, board members selected, a membership drive was completed with a total exceeding over 700 season ticket holders, and the program artists were chosen by officials. Artists selected for the first concert series included Chicago Opera soprano Edith Mason, tenor Don Jose Mojica and violinist Herbert Kirschner, duo harpsichordists Manuel and Williamsen.

Membership increased through the next 25 years to 1,273 memberships in 1951-1952. Many world famous artists came to Fond du Lac including violinist Artur Rubenstein, Metropolitan Opera Company singers Ezio Pinza, Jan Peerce and Salvatore Baccaloni, the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra just to name a few. Concerts were hosted in the Roosevelt Auditorium, and later in the old Fond du Lac Theatre.

The Civic Music Association thrived for many years, before changing its name in 1958 to the "Community Concert Association." During the 1966-67 season, the name was changed to the "Town & Gown Association" reflecting the highest level of artistry, talent, and showmanship in the annual series.

Concerts moved to the Goodrich Little Theatre during the sixties and seventies, and the association attracted many riveting performances from the likes of Paris Chamber Orchestra, Mantovani & His Orchestra, (for a crowd of 2,200 in the Goodrich Gymnasium), the Milwaukee Symphony, Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, Vienna Boys Choir, The American Ballet, William Warfield, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Robert De Cormier Folk Singers, The Don Shirley Trio, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Arthur Fiedler and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Many prominent civic leaders often worked on the Association Board through the years. Officers have included city councilmen, doctors, lawyers, newspaper editors, school teachers and administrators, musicians, artists, and just about every occupation conceivable. The members elected to the Board determine the artistic programs each year, and manage the finances. The association became incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1970.

In 1995, the name was changed to "Fond du Lac Concert Association." However, the perpetual goal of this organization has always been the same...to provide the finest nationally renowned musical programs to Fond du Lac audiences at a reasonable cost through a subscription series. A subscription series means simply that each patron or member buys a season ticket which is good for all the concerts for that year.

In recent years patrons have seen dynamic performances by the Glenn Miller Band, Si Zentner and His Orchestra, Mac Frampton Trio, Michael Johnson, George Shearing, The von Trapp Children, Doc Severinsen's Big Band and many shows including "Pump Boys and Dinettes, Ain’t Misbehavin,’ The Church Basement Ladies."

The Fond du Lac Concert Association proudly ushered in its "75th Anniversary" during the 2001-2002 concert season. The gala opening of this special benchmark year occurred simultaneously with the debut performance by the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats in the new Performing Arts Center. Today, the Fond du Lac Concert Association hosts one of the longest-running performing arts series in the state of Wisconsin; and continues its efforts to build and strengthen the cultural legacy that began over 96 years ago.

Artists we have presented in past years...
How many of these shows do you remember?

Congratulations!
If you remember all of these previous seasons, we thank you for your loyal patronage.

Fond du Lac Concert Association Past Presidents