A history of Community Concert Assoc.

The idea of sharing this information with you came to me as I was preparing content for the soon-to-be Niswonger PAC website.  On our new website, which we hope to unveil sometime next month, we will have a lot of new information for everyone to browse about everything associated with the Niswonger.  One of those items I have been working on is the history of Community Concerts in Van Wert.  I think it is something that should not be forgotten because of its significant contribution to the cultural life of Van Wert County citizens.

As you read this article, many of you will recall the names mentioned as respected and stalwart citizens of Van Wert from the past.  I hope you enjoy reminiscing with me.  My involvement with Community Concerts does not go back nearly as far as some of you reading, but I am taking from the history of the organization, which much of it was provided by Arla Allen, a long-time historian and respected performing art enthusiast and very fine singer of her time. Thank you, dear Arla!

The idea of a Community Concert Association began in the spring of 1953 when a group of interested citizens of Van Wert County met with a representative from Columbia Artists in New York City.  Community Concert Associations were springing up across the country with the idea of “providing a Carnegie Hall in every town.”  According to a Times-Bulletin report on Wednesday, October 21, 1953, that meeting took place and the following officers were elected to head the first Van Wert County Community Concert Association: Herbert Jones, supervisor (band and choir director) for Van Wert City Schools, as president; Mrs. James Johnson as secretary; and James Hall as treasurer.

The stated purpose was to bring a minimum of three concerts to Van Wert during the winter months and sell memberships in advance.  This would allow a budget to be set for purchasing concerts.  The original goal was set for 900 memberships, which was the capacity of the Lincoln School Auditorium.  A campaign week was set.  Headquarters were set up in the Hotel Marsh Lobby and a temporary telephone line would be installed for accepting phone calls for Community Concert business only.  An army of nearly 100 volunteers would canvas the area selling season memberships.  The list of volunteers reads like a “who’s who” of cultural names of Van Wert County from the 1950s.  I know some of you reading this today might even appear on that list.  After the campaign was finished, no more tickets would be sold.  Get them that week or be shut out for the year!  Once again, this was the one sure-fire way of setting a budget and guaranteeing no financial loss.  Oh, and by the way… an adult membership cost $6 and student memberships were $3.

The headliner of the very first season was the famed dePaur Infantry Chorus, which in years since World War II had grown to be one of the most popular concerts available.  Remember, this was before the Beatles and even before Elvis!  My, how popular musical tastes have evolved!

By 1959, it appears that the majority of the concerts were moved to the Marsh School Auditorium, more suited as a concert hall. It is also noted that the Marsh School donated its space to the association.  For the next 48 years, most concerts were held at the Marsh Auditorium, although I can remember presenting the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with famous trombonist Buddy Morrow leading the band in the Lincoln Auditorium, as well as a quartet of pianos who fit much better on the gym floor of the Lincoln Auditorium.  I can also remember moving one concert to the new Crestview Auditeria in the late 1980s.  And before then, it was stated that Lincolnview High School also hosted a few concerts.

So many wonderful people were involved in Community Concerts over the years, but a few certainly come to my mind, such as Mrs. Anne (Dr. Harold) Smith, Mrs. Robert (Joanne) Koehl, Luther Cox, Jim (VW Junior High band director) and Delana Galbreath, Jay Hall (VWHS band director,) L.W. Schaufelberger (VWHS choir director), Mrs. Edwin (Marilyn) Etzler, Mrs. Larry (Gloria) Wendel, Georgia and Orin Deal, and Rev. and Mrs. Kurt Bickel: the one who eventually got my wife and I involved serving on the board (back in the time, it seemed appropriate to list names under their husband’s names). There are so many others I could and probably should name, but the list goes on and on.

Today, community concerts live on as the Community Concert Series at the Niswonger.  Some things have changed, but the general premise continues of bringing world-class entertainment to the general public at an affordable price. The thing I love most about community concerts is that we can expose people to outstanding musical performers they may have not heard of, but really enjoy.  This is part of our educational mission of exposing new music to concertgoers.  A perfect example of this is the Habaneros from Cuba, a string quartet and clarinetist who will perform this season.  I really believe those who attend will be thoroughly entertained and feel educated and culturally diversified.

On behalf of the many citizens of Van Wert County and surrounding area who donated their time because of their love and passion for music, I thank you for continuing your support of Community Concerts in Van Wert.  Check us out at the Niswonger website: NPACVW.ORG or stop by the box office to discover the wonderful and entertaining world of Community Concerts at the Niswonger!

FINÉ.