The Positive Approach by Diane Heaney

The Web page states, “bringing outstanding music to southern Minnesota,” and as Albert Lea Civic Music Association starts its new season, that statement has been true for 70 years! Our community has been host to some of the world’s best professional musicians year after year, which is quite a positive accomplishment for a town of our size.

Prior to World War II there was a group of citizens called the Committee of 100 that had worked to bring concerts and lectures to Albert Lea. In November of 1945 another 50 people joined them to form the Albert Lea Civic Music Association. They sold season tickets for $6 for adults and $3 for children with an opening talent budget of $3,500. They were able to present five concerts in the spring of 1946. The $40 season ticket today still provides five quality concerts throughout the year with enough variety to please almost all tastes.

Some things have changed throughout the years. There used to an opening kick-off dinner for ticket sellers and board members at the Hotel Albert, which was a major social event in the fall. That practice changed to an ice cream social for sellers in the summer, and this year, with the changes in demographics and new technology, ticket sales are by mail-in or website purchase. The association has worked with four different concert organizations to book their entertainment with the latest being Allied Concert Service of Minneapolis.

Members of the board of Civic Music are all volunteers and the association is nonprofit. Many people have worked for years to keep the group going strong, and they are always looking for new board members with a passion for this work. Here is a shoutout to Eileen Nelson Ness, who has been a driving force behind the group for at least 30 years!

With some financial gifts from endowments, Albert Lea Civic Music Association has invested in the community. There are scholarship opportunities for students in junior high through college age for private music lessons and music camps. Steinway pianos were purchased in 1950 and in 2001 for the new high school stage. They have contributed money to upgrade the stage space at ALHS. Their most recent investment in local culture, partnering with ACT, was the installation of video and sound equipment in 2012 at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center to bring HD broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera to Albert Lea. Very few cities in the world have this opportunity and we have it here!

I am the stage manager for the organization so I get to welcome the artists, make sure they have all their technical needs met and keep them fed and watered. I have met some incredible people and talented musicians through the years. I remember coming to Albert Lea when I was a kid to see the concerts. I thank my parents for that experience! It was where I heard my first orchestra and my first professional singer, and figured out that being a musician was a possibility for me. Young parents, bring your kids. It could change them forever!

This special season kicks off at 3 p.m. next Sunday with the Four Freshmen. There will be cookies and coffee to celebrate the anniversary year. If you still need a season ticket, you can buy it at the door.  The low price tag for five concerts is a real bargain that one would not find in a metropolitan area, and an additional value is a reciprocity deal for four more concerts in Clear Lake. For full details on the whole season and operas, visit albertleacivicmusic.com. Congratulations Civic Music Association and thank you for bringing outstanding music to Albert Lea for 70 years!

 

Diane Heaney is choir director at Albert Lea High School and a member of Experience Albert Lea.