About Our Organization

The Kokomo Community Concerts Association has been bringing world class entertainment to the community for 50 years. This season, we will again be hosting five shows with a diverse group of acts from around the world.

Notable past performances include the Artie Shaw Orchestra, Jazz Dance Chicago, the Woods Tea Company, the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats and award-winning pianist Alpin Hong.

An important part of our mission is to provide community service through outreach concerts, where our performers visit local schools to teach the value of music in education. To schedule an outreach concert with us for your school, contact our Publicity Co-Chair.

Many of our performers are booked through Nashville, TN based Live On Stage productions, who have affiliates across the United States. We would also like to thank the City of Kokomo Community Arts Commission and the Kokomo Center-Township School Corporation for their support of our program.

Media inquiries can be answered by our Publicity Co-Chair:
Mary Rusch - (765) 453-0818

 

Organization History

Kokomo held its first Community Concert series in 1957-58. In the early years, only two concerts would be announced; e.g., The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the noted singer, Dorothy Maynor, for one season in the early 60s. Season memberships were sold, and two other concerts were then added on the basis of the total pre-season sales. Season tickets for adults were $10; tickets for individual concerts were not available.
 
The early history is rather hazy. Several prominent citizens took the initiative to contact the Community Concert Association in New York and establish the Association in Kokomo. Of the original founders, Mrs. Ruthmarie Owen has remained on the Board of Directors since that time, and Frank Stein has been serving since the mid-sixties. Hundreds of local citizens have held positions on the Board over the years to make KCCA what it is today: Kokomo's best buy in entertainment!

The concerts were initially held in the old downtown high school, with occasional appearances in Grace Methodist Church. When IUK moved to its present campus, concerts were held in the 900-seat Havens Auditorium. Later, after the Haworth school was built, the concerts were shifted to the larger, 1100-seat, school Auditorium.
 
During its local history, KCCA has presented over 200 fine concerts featuring national and international stars and ensembles, including such notables as William Warfield, Robert Merrill, the DeCormier Singers, the St. Petersburg Ballet, Ruth Laredo, and the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats, to name just a few. Our current practice is to announce the entire series in advance, usually five attractions, and in addition to season memberships allow the general public to attend any individual concerts for $20.

The generosity of the City of Kokomo Community Arts Council and other public-spirited citizens/patrons has enabled our outstanding seasons to still be offered to all local music-lovers at low cost of only $40 for the entire season. Attendance has been climbing over the years; and while some attractions are quick sell-outs, our aim remains to attain a capacity audience at every concert.

You can also take a look at our 2006-2007 schedule of shows to see recent performances.