Description
Our Role
Since 1925, CMA has been bringing world-class musical performers to Des Moines. Over the years, classical musicians have included Artur Rubenstein, Beverly Sills, Izthak Perleman and even Sergei Rachmaninoff. In 1990, CMA added jazz musicians to its series offerings. And, among the high caliber artists to become a part of the series are Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, Chick Corea, Claudia Acuña and the Mingus Big Band.
In addition to the performances, CMA routinely contracts the artists to conduct at least one educational event in the community, and often more. Students from local high schools, Drake, ISU, Simpson, Grandview, as well as the general public are invited to see, visit with and learn from the masters at no charge. The response to this opportunity has been overwhelming! The students are able to learn from some of the greatest touring international musicians of our time, not only about musical techniques, but positive role models.
Community outreach is an integral part of our mission. Senior citizens, elementary and high school students and at-risk service agencies have been provided with complimentary tickets to attend both master classes and performances. We also cooperate with other community arts organizations through the exchange of mailing lists and regular communications with other organizations. Currently our mailers about our season series are sent to over 25,000 households in the Des Moines area with specialty mailings sent, at least four times a year, to over 2,500 households.
In sum, it is the mission of CMA to present international musical experiences of the highest caliber to the largest, most diverse audiences possible.
Our Expectations
Civic Music Association will continue to be the leading promoter of the finest classical and jazz presented in the Des Moines area and the only organization to design and offer educational events with these international masters. No one has done it longer or better than CMA. To show our success in this field, all one needs to do is to review previous year's extraordinarily successful seasons.
