Community Concerts became successful in the early 1900s when the organizers began raising funds in advance to make sure they could afford the concerts rather than depending on ticket sales at the door. This prevented deficits that would occur if the audience did not provide enough to pay for the performers.
This “organized audience plan,” as it was called, became the membership-based plan of Community Concert Associations across the country, bringing performers and audiences together to give everyone affordable opportunities to experience the magic of live entertainment. In this way, the organizers could arrange a “season” of concerts each year for association members.
Today our Golden Belt Community Concert Association depends not only on memberships, but also on donations from local businesses and individuals to help bring high-caliber professional performers to this area. We call these businesses and individuals our Patrons.
At this time, as we prepare in earnest for the opening of our 2024-2025 season, we have printed a program insert that recognizes all of our Patrons for their help in making our seasons possible. That insert goes into every concert program of the season. The insert is our way of recognizing and thanking each of the Patrons for their monetary gifts that make such an impact on our success. Certainly, if we relied only on the $50 fee we receive per member, we would not be able to bring such high-quality entertainment to our stage.
Some members have asked about the costs of the concerts we select. I can say the fees for the seven concerts in our 2024-2025 season, from the least to most expensive, range from $6,600 to $14,500 (a classic big band with 20 or more players led by solo piccolo trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann).
In addition to the costs of performers, we have the additional expenses including rent for the auditorium per concert; fees for the expertise of our sound and lighting techs; one meal plus some snacks and beverages for the concert performers; and last but not least the expense of having our grand piano tuned before each concert requiring the piano.
Our Patrons, in addition to our members, make all of these things happen. We are grateful for their contributions that lead to the wonderful concerts our members are able to enjoy. We thank our Patrons for their support.
The concerts we have chosen for this season promise to be some of the best we have had the privilege to offer. We are excited to begin our new season on Oct. 3 with Jim Witter performing his fourth concert on our stage, singing the musical hits of Billy Joel. Witter is a performer that many concert associations ask back for return performances. Audiences look forward to seeing him again. He never disappoints.
Only Golden Belt Community Concert members may attend our concerts. No single tickets are available. Full-time students of all ages will be admitted for a $5 donation at the door.
Linda Jerke is 2nd vice president and publicity chair of the Golden Belt Community Concert Association. She can be contacted by email: lindajerke@gmail.com.
