Community Concerts, Inc., an agency that booked concerts in cities and towns across the United States, merged with the Columbia Concerts Corporation (later Columbia Artists Management Inc.) after its formation in 1930. The Missoula Community Concert Association, one of the first of its kind in the nation, formed in 1934 to bring a series of high quality musicians and acts to Missoula, Montana each year. The Missoula Community Concert Association selected the acts and musicians from catalogs circulated by Community Concert Inc. for each season and then worked to recruit enough members to pay the expenses of the concerts. Under the supervision of the Membership Chairman, and the Division Chairman, volunteers canvassed Missoula and the surrounding communities for those interested in buying tickets or a membership to the organization. If a certain number of new members were enlisted, volunteers could earn free membership in the association and attend the Community Concerts free of charge.
The Missoula Community Concert Organization worked closely with The University of Montana. Community Concerts were typically held in auditorium at The University of Montana. Some of the acts visiting Missoula included the American Ballet Company, the Obernkirchen Children’s Choir and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. The Missoula organization disbanded in May of 1962 due to financial problems, competition from other agencies, and a general lack of interest.
From the guide to the Missoula Community Concert Association Records, 1934-1962, (University of Montana--Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)
